Buchwald NYC

Don Buchwald & Associates was founded by Don Buchwald in 1977, establishing what would become one of the most enduring and respected talent agencies in New York City. The agency was built on Don Buchwald's vision of providing comprehensive, caring representation that treated every client as a priority regardless of their career level. Over nearly five decades, the agency has remained true to its founder's values while growing into a multi-divisional operation that covers every major area of the entertainment industry. Buchwald has weathered multiple waves of industry consolidation while maintaining its independence and family-oriented culture. Key milestones include developing one of New York's strongest commercial divisions, building a respected youth department, and representing some of the most iconic broadcasters and performers in the city's history.

Today, Don Buchwald & Associates is a storied New York talent agency that continues to be a fixture in the city's entertainment industry. The agency is known for representing a wide range of talent across theater, film, television, commercials, voiceover, and broadcasting. Buchwald's New York headquarters houses multiple divisions that serve different segments of the entertainment market, making them one of the most comprehensive single-city agencies in the business. Their market position is defined by deep local roots, extensive casting relationships, and a reputation for dedicated client advocacy that has endured for decades. The agency's client roster spans from emerging performers to established industry veterans.

The agency is known for being selective but fair in considering new talent for representation. Referrals from industry professionals carry significant weight, but Buchwald agents also attend showcases, performances, and industry events where they discover new talent. A well-crafted query letter with strong headshots, a focused resume, and a compelling demo reel can sometimes lead to a meeting even without a personal referral. The agency values professionalism and preparation in potential clients, so presenting polished materials and demonstrating knowledge of the agency's strengths and culture can make a positive impression. Buchwald is generally more accessible than the mega-agencies but still maintains high standards for their roster.

Buchwald's New York headquarters houses multiple divisions including theatrical (film and TV), commercial on-camera, voiceover, theater, broadcasting, and a dedicated youth department. The theatrical department handles submissions for film and television projects across studios, networks, and streaming platforms. The commercial division is one of the strongest in New York, with deep relationships in the advertising industry. The voiceover department represents talent for animation, commercials, narration, and audiobooks. The theater department works with Broadway and off-Broadway casting offices, and the youth department represents children and teens across all entertainment mediums. While Buchwald is primarily a New York-based agency, they maintain working relationships with Los Angeles agencies and casting directors that allow their clients to access West Coast opportunities. The agency's focus on New York as their primary market means their local relationships are exceptionally deep, but actors seeking extensive bicoastal representation may want to discuss how cross-coast submissions are handled. Buchwald's commercial and voiceover clients often work on campaigns with national and international reach, providing exposure beyond the New York market.

Buchwald represents actors across a wide spectrum of career levels, from newcomers with strong training to seasoned veterans with decades of experience. The agency's youth department specifically serves children and teen performers, making Buchwald a rare agency that can represent talent from childhood through their entire professional career. Their roster includes SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members working across all entertainment mediums, as well as AFTRA members in the broadcasting space. Buchwald has represented numerous iconic figures in the New York entertainment world throughout its history. The agency's broadcasting division has represented some of the most recognizable radio and television personalities in the country, a unique distinction among talent agencies. Their theatrical clients have appeared in acclaimed Broadway productions, major television series, and notable films. Buchwald's industry reputation is one of deep New York roots, comprehensive representation, and unwavering dedication to their clients. Casting directors and producers who work in the New York market know and respect Buchwald's name, their roster, and their agents' advocacy.

Buchwald operates on standard commission rates with no upfront fees, following industry norms for theatrical, commercial, and voiceover representation. Theatrical commissions are typically 10%, while commercial and voiceover commissions may be up to 20%. Clients pay commissions only when they book work through the agency's efforts. All rates comply with SAG-AFTRA regulations for union projects, and the agency's transparent approach to compensation ensures clarity in the financial relationship. Actors represented by Buchwald can realistically expect consistent audition submissions across the agency's multiple divisions, with particular strength in the New York commercial, voiceover, and theater markets. The agency's deep local relationships mean their clients typically receive a steady flow of audition opportunities appropriate to their type and career level. While Buchwald may not have the same reach as mega-agencies for major studio film projects, their strength in the New York market is formidable. The value of Buchwald representation is especially evident in commercials and voiceover, where their industry relationships consistently generate high-quality booking opportunities.

Buchwald is an excellent choice for New York-based actors who want an agency with deep local roots and a strong reputation across multiple divisions. Actors who want to build careers spanning theater, commercials, voiceover, and on-camera work will benefit from Buchwald's comprehensive departmental structure. Young performers and their families seeking reputable youth representation backed by a major agency will find Buchwald's youth department to be a trustworthy option. Actors who value long-term loyalty and a family-oriented agency culture will feel comfortable at Buchwald. Buchwald may not be the ideal choice for actors whose primary career focus is studio film or who need extensive Los Angeles market access through their agency. Performers who want to work primarily in international markets or need an agency with global offices should consider firms with more extensive international infrastructure. Actors who are looking for a cutting-edge, digitally-focused agency experience may find Buchwald's traditional approach less aligned with their expectations. Very early-career actors who have no professional credits or training may need to build some foundational experience before approaching Buchwald for representation.

The most effective way to get noticed by Buchwald is to build strong credits in the New York market through theater, commercials, and voiceover work while cultivating relationships with industry professionals who can provide referrals. Attending showcases, industry events, and performances where Buchwald agents are present can create organic networking opportunities. Submitting polished materials including current headshots, a well-organized resume, and any available reels during times when agents are actively looking to expand their rosters can yield results. Building a voiceover demo reel and commercial reel alongside your theatrical headshots and resume demonstrates the versatility that Buchwald's multi-divisional structure can serve. The ideal time to approach Buchwald is when you have established some professional presence in the New York market through theater performances, commercial bookings, or voiceover work. Having credits that demonstrate your ability to work professionally and your commitment to building a New York-based career will resonate with Buchwald's agents. Approaching after a notable booking, a strong showcase performance, or completion of a respected training program provides a natural conversation starter. Many actors sign with Buchwald at a relatively early stage of their careers, as the agency is genuinely committed to developing talent over time.