Backstage University

Backstage University is the educational arm of Backstage, the performing arts industry's most established and trusted resource for casting information, career guidance, and professional development. Backstage itself was founded in December 1960 by Allen Zwerdling and Ira Eaker in New York City as a weekly casting newspaper called 'Back Stage,' and over more than six decades it has evolved from a print publication into a comprehensive digital platform serving actors, models, content creators, and creative talent across film, television, commercial, theatre, and voiceover. Backstage University leverages this unmatched institutional knowledge — built through 60-plus years of relationships with casting directors, agents, managers, producers, and working actors — to create educational content that is uniquely grounded in the realities of the professional acting market. The educational offerings include a growing library of articles, video tutorials, webinars, online workshops, and curated guides created by industry professionals, working casting directors, and experienced coaches. Backstage expanded to a Los Angeles bureau in 1975 and fully transitioned online with Backstage.com, becoming the industry leader in digital casting — and the university content extends this authority into the educational space.

In 2025, Backstage University functions as an integrated educational resource within the broader Backstage platform, providing career guidance and skill development content alongside Backstage's core casting services (which list over 15,000 casting calls, auditions, and jobs at any given time). What makes Backstage University uniquely valuable is its direct connection to the casting process — the same platform that publishes educational content about audition technique also publishes the actual auditions you will use those skills for, creating a seamless integration between learning and doing that no standalone educational platform can replicate. Educational content covers audition technique, self-tape best practices, cold reading, resume formatting and optimization, headshot selection and evaluation, reel creation and editing, agent and manager research, union navigation (SAG-AFTRA eligibility, joining strategies, dues management), networking strategies, and navigating the business side of acting. Webinars and workshops frequently feature guest speakers from casting offices, talent agencies, and production companies who share current hiring perspectives and industry trends. The content is practical, specific, and immediately applicable — this is not theoretical acting education but actionable guidance on how to book work.

Getting started with Backstage University is simple — much of the educational content is freely available through the Backstage website and its active YouTube channel, allowing prospective students to explore the quality and relevance of the material without any financial commitment. Free content includes hundreds of articles, career guides, industry news pieces, and instructional videos covering every aspect of the acting profession. Premium educational content — including in-depth webinars, workshops, and specialized courses — is accessible to Backstage subscribers, meaning that actors who already pay for the casting platform automatically gain access to the premium educational materials at no additional cost. There is no separate enrollment process for Backstage University — it is an integrated feature of the Backstage subscription. The content is organized by topic and career stage, making it easy for students to find relevant material whether they are preparing for their first audition or navigating mid-career challenges like changing representation or transitioning between mediums. The YouTube channel features regularly updated content including interviews with casting directors, technique tutorials, and career strategy sessions.

The educational experience on Backstage University is characterized by its immediacy and practicality — content is created specifically to address the challenges actors face right now, drawing on current industry knowledge rather than timeless but abstract principles. Webinars and workshops are often built around seasonal industry rhythms — self-tape technique refreshers before pilot season, networking strategies before major industry events, headshot guidance in advance of new submissions cycles. The guest speakers and contributors include active casting directors who share real insights into what they look for in auditions, agents who explain how they evaluate submissions, and working actors who share the career strategies that got them from day player to series regular. This insider perspective is Backstage University's most distinctive asset — the content is not theoretical or aspirational but comes directly from the people who make hiring decisions in the entertainment industry. Video tutorials on self-tape technique are particularly strong, covering lighting, framing, sound, editing, and performance approach with the specificity and currency that actors need in an industry where self-tapes have become the dominant audition format. The content is regularly updated to reflect changes in casting technology, union rules, platform features, and industry standards.

Backstage University serves the same broad audience as the Backstage casting platform itself — actors at every career stage, from complete beginners preparing their first headshot to veteran performers navigating career transitions. The platform is particularly valuable for early-career actors who need practical guidance on the business and logistics of launching an acting career — topics like how to format an acting resume, how to choose the right headshot photographer, how to create a compelling self-tape, and how to research and approach agents. These are the nuts-and-bolts professional skills that most acting schools do not teach, and Backstage University fills this gap with authority that comes from 60 years of industry presence. The educational content also serves more experienced actors who want to stay current with industry changes, adapt to new casting technologies, or develop strategies for career advancement. Because Backstage's editorial team includes working journalists who cover the entertainment industry daily, the educational content reflects the most current industry conditions rather than outdated practices.

Backstage University's pricing is integrated with the broader Backstage subscription model. In 2025, Backstage subscriptions are priced at approximately $25 per month on a monthly plan, $20 per month on a six-month plan, and approximately $17 per month on the annual plan (which saves over $100 compared to monthly billing). These prices cover both the casting platform (with its 15,000+ active listings) and the premium educational content, making the educational component effectively free for anyone who subscribes for casting access. A significant portion of the educational content — including hundreds of articles, many video tutorials, and career guides — is available completely free without a subscription. The YouTube channel provides free access to instructional content, casting director interviews, and career strategy sessions. Compared to standalone educational platforms, Backstage University's bundled pricing model makes it one of the most cost-effective sources of acting career education available, particularly for actors who are already using Backstage for audition submissions. Students who are primarily interested in the educational content rather than casting listings should evaluate whether the subscription cost is justified for education alone, or whether the free content (which is substantial) meets their needs.

Backstage University is an essential free resource for every actor, regardless of career stage — start by exploring the free articles, YouTube channel, and guides to build your knowledge of the professional acting landscape. If you are an early-career actor figuring out the business basics — headshots, resumes, self-tapes, agent submissions, and union status — Backstage University's free content alone provides more practical, current guidance than most paid courses on these topics. If you already subscribe to Backstage for casting access, you are leaving value on the table if you are not also exploring the premium educational content that comes with your subscription. However, do not treat Backstage University as a replacement for craft training — pair its business and career content with genuine technique development through scene study, coaching, or an acting program. For international actors or actors in smaller markets, be aware that the content is primarily US-market-focused and may require adaptation to your local industry. Consider Backstage University your ongoing professional development library — a resource you return to regularly throughout your career rather than a program you complete and move on from.

Start with Backstage's self-tape technique resources immediately — self-taping has become the dominant audition format, and Backstage's guides on lighting, framing, sound, and performance approach are among the best free resources available. Follow Backstage's YouTube channel and subscribe to their email newsletter to receive regular educational content delivered to you rather than having to seek it out. Use Backstage University's agent and manager guides as your primary resource when researching and approaching representation — the advice comes from people who work directly with agencies and casting offices and reflects current industry practices rather than outdated strategies. If you attend any Backstage webinars or workshops, come with specific questions prepared — the live Q&A sessions with casting directors and agents are where the most valuable, personalized insights emerge. Pair Backstage University's business education with craft training from a dedicated acting program — the combination of knowing how to perform (craft) and knowing how to get opportunities to perform (business) is what separates working actors from trained actors who cannot find work.