Playbill

Playbill is one of the most iconic and enduring brands in American theatre, with a history that stretches back to 1884 when it began as a simple program distributed to theatregoers in New York City. For well over a century, the distinctive yellow-and-black Playbill program has been synonymous with the Broadway experience — every audience member at a Broadway or Off-Broadway show receives one, making it one of the most recognized publications in the performing arts world. The brand expanded into a comprehensive digital platform at playbill.com, which now serves as a major hub for theatre news, show listings, ticket information, and career resources for performers. Playbill's casting and jobs section has become a valuable resource for theatre actors seeking audition notices across Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, touring, and community productions. The brand carries enormous credibility in the theatre community, and casting notices posted on Playbill are generally considered legitimate and professional.

Today, Playbill operates at the intersection of theatre fandom and industry utility, serving both audiences and working professionals. The website publishes daily theatre news, reviews, features, and interviews alongside its casting section, making it a one-stop resource for actors who want to stay connected to the theatre world. What makes Playbill's casting section distinctive is its deep roots in the theatre community specifically — unlike broader platforms like Backstage or Actors Access that cover film, TV, and commercials alongside theatre, Playbill is laser-focused on stage work. This specialization means that theatre-specific opportunities, particularly for Equity and non-Equity productions, are often posted here with detailed information about audition requirements, production schedules, and contract terms. For theatre actors, Playbill is not just a casting resource but a connection to the cultural heartbeat of the American stage.

Using Playbill's casting section is straightforward. You visit the Jobs section of playbill.com and browse available audition notices and job listings for theatre productions. Listings are organized by category and include details such as production name, producing organization, role descriptions, audition dates, location, equity status, and submission instructions. Many listings can be browsed for free without creating an account, though some may direct you to external platforms or submission methods for the actual application. There is no formal profile system on Playbill like there is on Actors Access or Backstage — instead, the site functions more as an aggregator and listing board where you discover opportunities and then follow the submission instructions provided. This means Playbill works best as a discovery tool used alongside your primary casting platforms rather than as a standalone submission system.

Checking Playbill's casting section should be part of a theatre actor's regular routine, ideally two to three times per week. New listings appear regularly, with particular volume around the start of theatre seasons and leading into major audition periods for regional theatre and touring companies. The listings span a wide range of opportunity types — you will find everything from Broadway replacement castings and national tour auditions to regional theatre seasons, summer stock companies, and community theatre productions. Playbill also lists jobs for stage managers, directors, designers, and other theatre professionals, which gives actors a broader view of the production landscape and potential contacts. The editorial content on the site — news, interviews, and features — provides valuable context about which productions are in development, which theatres are expanding their seasons, and which artistic directors are seeking new work. This background knowledge can inform your audition strategy and help you prepare more thoughtfully for opportunities.

Playbill's casting section is used primarily by theatre actors at all stages of their careers, from community theatre performers to Broadway veterans. The audience skews toward actors based in or around New York City, which makes sense given Playbill's deep roots in the Broadway ecosystem, but listings cover theatres and productions across the entire United States. Actors' Equity Association (AEA) members find particular value in Playbill's listings, as many postings specify Equity contracts and audition protocols, including EPA (Equity Principal Audition) and ECC (Equity Chorus Call) information. Non-Equity actors also benefit from listings for non-union tours, regional theatres, and open calls that welcome performers at all levels. Musical theatre performers, who often prioritize stage work over film and television, are among the most active users of Playbill's casting section. The platform's theatre-specific focus creates a curated experience that eliminates the noise of film and commercial listings that dominate broader casting platforms.

Browsing Playbill's casting and jobs section is generally free, with no subscription required to view the majority of listings. There is no monthly membership fee or per-submission cost associated with using Playbill's casting pages. Some listings may direct you to submit through external platforms (such as Actors Access or Backstage) that have their own costs, but Playbill itself does not charge actors for access to its casting information. This makes Playbill one of the most cost-effective casting resources available — it is genuinely free to use as a discovery and information tool. The site generates revenue primarily through advertising and its broader media business rather than charging performers. For theatre actors on tight budgets, Playbill represents significant value as a zero-cost supplement to paid casting platforms.

Every theatre actor should have Playbill bookmarked and should check the casting section regularly as part of their audition routine — it is free, takes just a few minutes, and can surface opportunities you might miss on other platforms. It works best as a complement to Backstage and Actors Access rather than as a replacement, since you will need those platforms to actually submit for most roles you discover on Playbill. Equity members should check Playbill particularly for EPA and ECC announcements, as these are often posted with clear detail. If you are primarily a film or television actor with little interest in stage work, Playbill will not be relevant to you. Musical theatre performers should consider Playbill an essential part of their regular casting search alongside Backstage. Community theatre performers and actors in regional markets will find a solid selection of opportunities that may not appear on national platforms focused on major markets.

Bookmark Playbill's jobs section and check it every Monday and Wednesday — these tend to be the highest-volume posting days as productions plan their audition schedules for the week. When you find an opportunity on Playbill that interests you, cross-reference it on Actors Access and Backstage to see if an electronic submission option exists, as casting directors often post across multiple platforms simultaneously. Use Playbill's editorial content strategically — if you read about a new production in development or a theatre company expanding its season, you can proactively reach out before official casting notices appear. Follow Playbill on social media for breaking casting news that may appear there before it hits the formal jobs section. For Equity actors, set a reminder to check for newly posted EPAs and ECCs at the beginning of each week, as these auditions operate on specific scheduling protocols that reward prompt attention. Keep a running list of regional theatres and touring companies whose listings appear regularly on Playbill, and consider proactive outreach to their casting departments.