Gersh New York

The Gersh Agency was founded in 1949 by Phil Gersh, establishing a family-run talent agency that has endured for over seven decades in an industry defined by constant change and consolidation. The agency built its reputation on representing serious actors and filmmakers with a focus on quality over quantity, and it has remained independent and family-operated throughout its history. The New York office was established to serve the growing demand for East Coast representation, particularly in theater and television. Over the decades, Gersh has weathered industry upheavals while maintaining its commitment to personalized client service that distinguishes it from the mega-agencies. Key milestones include expanding into literary representation, launching a comedy division, and consistently ranking among the top mid-major agencies in the industry.

Today, Gersh operates as one of the most respected mid-major agencies in the entertainment industry, with offices in both New York and Los Angeles. The agency represents actors, directors, writers, comedians, and below-the-line talent across film, television, theater, and commercials. Gersh's market position occupies a sweet spot between the mega-agencies and boutique firms, offering substantial industry clout combined with genuinely personalized representation. Their New York office is particularly strong in theater representation, with agents who have deep connections to Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theater. The agency's client roster includes award-winning performers alongside promising emerging talent, reflecting their commitment to career development at multiple levels.

Gersh is considered more approachable than the top-four agencies, making it an excellent target for actors with solid credits who are looking to step up their representation. Industry showcases, referrals from casting directors, and strong off-Broadway work can help you get noticed by Gersh agents. The agency attends major showcase events, graduation performances at top MFA programs, and industry screenings where they actively scout for new talent. Having a recommendation from a current Gersh client, a respected casting director, or a well-known acting teacher can significantly increase your chances of securing a meeting. While cold submissions are possible, they are most effective when accompanied by strong materials and a compelling recent credit.

Gersh's departmental structure includes theatrical talent (film and TV), theater, literary, comedy, and commercial divisions. The New York theater department is one of their crown jewels, with agents who have decades of combined experience navigating Broadway and off-Broadway casting. The television department works with major networks and streaming platforms to place clients in series regular, recurring, and guest star roles. The literary department represents playwrights and screenwriters, creating a natural pipeline for casting their acting clients. Gersh maintains strong bicoastal coordination between their New York and Los Angeles offices, ensuring that actors signed on one coast have access to opportunities on the other. The agency's LA office is particularly active in film and television, while the New York office leads in theater and East Coast media. While Gersh does not have the same international office network as the mega-agencies, they maintain partnerships and relationships with international agencies that extend their reach into European, Australian, and other global markets. For actors interested in international co-productions or overseas projects, Gersh agents can facilitate connections through their established network of foreign agency partners.

Gersh represents actors across a broad spectrum of career levels, from emerging performers with strong training and a few professional credits to established veterans with extensive filmographies and Broadway careers. The agency is particularly receptive to actors who are at a career inflection point, ready to move up from boutique representation to a mid-major agency with greater reach. Their clients include SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity members working across all entertainment mediums. Gersh has represented numerous award-winning actors throughout its history, with clients earning Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, Academy Award nominations, and other major industry honors. The agency has been instrumental in launching careers that began on the off-Broadway stage and grew into major film and television careers. Gersh agents have negotiated significant deals for their clients across premium television platforms, and their theater clients have starred in some of the most celebrated Broadway productions of recent decades. Gersh's industry reputation is one of quality, integrity, and genuine care for their clients' careers. Casting directors and producers respect Gersh submissions because they know the agency has thoughtfully matched each client with appropriate opportunities.

Gersh operates on standard commission rates with no upfront fees, typically charging 10% for theatrical bookings in film, television, and theater. Their commission structure follows industry norms and SAG-AFTRA regulations for union-regulated work. Clients are not charged for meetings, submissions, or any administrative costs associated with representation. Commercial commissions may be higher, up to 20%, depending on the specific deal structure. Actors represented by Gersh can realistically expect consistent, thoughtful submissions for projects that match their type and career level. The agency's manageable roster size means individual clients generally receive more auditions and more agent attention than they would at a mega-agency. However, Gersh's reach, while substantial, does not match the sheer volume of submissions that WME or CAA can generate for their top clients. The value of Gersh representation lies in the quality and appropriateness of audition opportunities, the strength of agent advocacy in casting rooms, and the long-term career development perspective that their agents bring to each client relationship.

Gersh is an excellent choice for working actors who want attentive, hands-on representation without getting lost in a massive agency roster. Actors with solid credits in theater, film, or television who are ready to step up from boutique representation will find Gersh's combination of personal attention and industry clout very appealing. Performers who value long-term career development and a loyal agent relationship over pure deal-making power will thrive at Gersh. The agency is particularly well-suited for actors whose primary focus is theater but who also want active film and television representation. Gersh may not be the ideal fit for actors who need the absolute maximum in packaging power and deal-making leverage for the highest-profile projects in the industry. Very early-career actors with minimal credits may find that even Gersh requires more experience than they currently have, and they should consider boutique agencies first. Actors who are primarily interested in commercial or voiceover work as their main career focus may find more specialized agencies better suited to those specific markets. Performers who want an agency with its own global office network for extensive international work should consider the mega-agencies instead.

The most effective way to get noticed by Gersh is to build strong theater credits through off-Broadway productions, respected regional theaters, and showcase performances that agents attend. Having a recommendation from a casting director, acting teacher, or industry professional who has a relationship with Gersh agents significantly increases your chances of a meeting. Submitting a polished package with current headshots, a well-organized resume, and a strong demo reel during times when agents are actively looking to expand their rosters can yield results. Performing in high-profile showcases and industry events where Gersh agents are known to attend is another effective strategy. The ideal time to approach Gersh is when you have accumulated enough professional credits to demonstrate that you are a working actor ready for mid-major agency representation. This typically means having a combination of theater credits, some on-camera work, and strong training credentials that signal your readiness for the next career level. Approaching Gersh when you have recently booked a notable role, received a strong review, or completed a high-profile showcase maximizes the impact of your outreach. Many actors successfully sign with Gersh after several years of working with boutique agencies, using that foundation to attract attention from the larger firm.