CAA New York

Creative Artists Agency was founded in 1975 by five agents who departed William Morris to create a new kind of talent agency built on teamwork and client collaboration. Michael Ovitz, Ron Meyer, Bill Haber, Rowland Perkins, and Michael Rosenfeld established CAA in Los Angeles, and the agency quickly rose to become one of the most powerful forces in Hollywood. CAA opened its New York office to serve the growing demand for East Coast representation in theater, television, and media. Over the decades, CAA has been at the forefront of industry innovation, from pioneering talent packaging in film to expanding into sports, brand consulting, and venture capital. The agency's New York office has grown into a major hub for Broadway, television, and literary representation.

Today, CAA is widely regarded as one of the top two or three talent agencies in the world, with a client roster that includes many of the most recognizable names in entertainment. The New York division is particularly active in theater and television packaging, with agents who work closely with Broadway producers and television showrunners to place clients in high-profile projects. CAA also has robust departments for endorsements, licensing, digital content, and brand consulting, making them a comprehensive career partner. The agency's market position is defined by their ability to attach major talent to projects and negotiate deals that set industry benchmarks.

Signing with CAA typically requires a strong track record or a compelling referral from an industry professional such as a manager, entertainment attorney, or established client. The agency does not accept unsolicited materials from unknown actors, and cold submissions are not reviewed. Performing in well-reviewed showcases, acclaimed off-Broadway productions, or high-profile television roles can help you get noticed by CAA agents who actively attend performances. Having a manager who has existing relationships with CAA agents is one of the most common pathways to representation. CAA also sometimes identifies talent through film festivals, industry screenings, and recommendation networks.

CAA's New York operations span multiple departments including theatrical talent (film and TV), theater, literary, comedy, music, endorsements, digital media, and brand consulting. The theater department works with virtually every major Broadway producing organization and casting office. The television department packages series for broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming platforms. The literary department represents playwrights and screenwriters, creating opportunities for actors when CAA-represented scripts move into production. CAA's bicoastal infrastructure means that actors signed in New York have seamless access to Los Angeles opportunities and vice versa. The agency's cross-coast coordination is systematic, with regular communication between New York and LA offices about casting opportunities, project packaging, and client availability. CAA also maintains international offices and partnerships that extend their reach to London, Beijing, and other global entertainment markets. For actors interested in international co-productions, foreign language projects, or global brand campaigns, CAA's network provides access that domestic-only agencies cannot match.

CAA represents actors across the full spectrum of the profession, from rising stars with breakout roles to established veterans with decades of credits. The majority of their clients are SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members working at the highest levels of the industry. CAA has been increasingly proactive about signing diverse talent and actors from underrepresented communities, reflecting industry-wide shifts toward more inclusive casting. CAA's client list has historically included Academy Award, Tony Award, and Emmy Award winners across virtually every category. Their theater clients have originated and starred in some of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed Broadway productions in recent memory. The agency has negotiated landmark television deals worth tens of millions of dollars for their top clients on major streaming platforms. CAA's industry reputation is defined by power, sophistication, and strategic thinking. The agency is known for its meticulous, data-driven approach to deal-making and career management.

CAA operates on standard industry commission rates, typically 10% for theatrical bookings in film, television, and theater. Commercial representation may carry commissions up to 20% depending on the deal structure. As a SAG-AFTRA franchised agency, all commission rates comply with union guidelines for regulated projects. There are no upfront fees, signing bonuses, or administrative charges associated with CAA representation. Actors represented by CAA can realistically expect access to the most prestigious auditions and opportunities in the entertainment industry, including studio film leads, series regular television roles, and starring parts in major Broadway productions. However, the volume of submissions and auditions an individual client receives depends on their current market heat and career trajectory. CAA's attention and resources naturally flow toward clients who are actively generating revenue and industry attention. Newly signed actors should expect a ramp-up period as their agents learn their work and identify the right opportunities.

CAA is ideal for mid-to-senior career actors who have already built a substantial body of work and need the leverage and infrastructure of a major agency to reach the next level. Actors who are booking consistently at the television series regular level, landing leading roles in independent or studio films, or starring in Broadway productions are prime candidates. Multi-hyphenate artists who want to expand into producing, writing, or directing will benefit from CAA's cross-departmental resources. Performers who are ready to think about their career as a brand, with endorsements, speaking engagements, and content creation alongside traditional acting, will find CAA's comprehensive approach especially valuable. CAA is not the right fit for early-career actors still building foundational credits and learning their craft. Actors who primarily work in community theater, student films, or local commercial markets will not benefit from CAA's capabilities. Performers who need an agent who will return every call immediately and provide detailed emotional support may find CAA's corporate structure unsatisfying. Actors who are unsure about their type, their career direction, or their commitment to the profession should develop these foundations before approaching CAA.

The most effective path to CAA representation involves building undeniable career momentum through increasingly significant bookings, strong reviews, and industry recognition. Having a respected manager or entertainment attorney who maintains active relationships with CAA agents is one of the most reliable pathways to a meeting. Performing in high-visibility showcases, premiering work at major film festivals, or landing a breakout role that generates industry buzz are common triggers for CAA interest. Building relationships with CAA assistants and junior agents at industry events can create long-term pathways, as today's assistant is often tomorrow's signing agent. The strategic time to approach CAA is when you have achieved a level of career success that demonstrates you are ready for major agency representation and can sustain the agency's attention long-term. This typically means having multiple meaningful credits, existing industry relationships, and a career trajectory that is clearly ascending. Approaching CAA prematurely can actually set back your prospects, as agents remember actors who submitted before they were ready. A smart career strategy is to build your resume and relationships with a strong mid-tier or boutique agency, then leverage that foundation to attract CAA interest when your career has reached the appropriate level.