Find out how the STAA can keep you acting year-round
By Wyatt Elling
What is the STAA?
Did you know that one organization in the United States is responsible for employing tens of thousands of actors? The Shakespeare Theater Association of America was founded in 1991 to represent the interests of everyone who produces the plays of Shakespeare.
There are over 75 theaters and festivals across the country that are official members of the STAA. These include permanent year-round theaters, outdoor troupes, seasonal performances, university groups, free shows, summer stock sessions, and free shows.
Members range from the prestigious Riverside Troupe and Oregon Shakespeare Festival to small regional festivals in the Midwest. There are participating theaters in almost every state in the nation, so you can easily find a troupe near you, and STAA covers both Equity and non-equity affiliated actors.
What is its goal?
The main purpose of the STAA is to provide artistic and managerial resources to Shakespeare enthusiasts around the county. They also provide much-needed publicity and structure for the Shakespearean theater niche. They also seek to bridge the gap between Shakespeare scholarship in university and the art direction of contemporary performances. Beyond this they also strive to improve the quality of Shakespeare education in schools, and to increase attendance nation wide.
The STAA also offers individual Associate memberships for individuals for $50. To qualify, you must be a committed Shakespearean actor with a strong interest in promoting the craft. Once you're a member you get exclusive access to the STAA online database, which up-to-date listings of every STAA casting call and performance. You can attend members-only events and engage in the active networking the STAA encourages.
Why should I be interested?
So why should you be interested in the Shakespeare Theater Association of America? Well if you're a serious actor and you want to work the odds are you'll be in an STAA performance at some point. The STAA is internationally recognized, and having a credited STAA role on your acting resume is a great asset.
Beyond the prestige, there are STAA shows year-round in almost every region. Most troupes take breaks in between runs, but have a show every season that requires year-round practice, planning, and rehearsal. Spending several seasons or years in a troupe is a great way to build experience, gain credibility, and network with theater professionals who can boost your career.
Starting out small in a regional STAA affiliated festival or college troupe can earn you an in to the broader STAA network of theaters. If you put the time in and commit yourself to learning the ins and outs of Shakespeare, you can get a major leg-up when auditioning for bigger and more prestigious troupes. You probably won't get paid in the lower echelons of the STAA, but yearly budgets for some of the bigger members can be upwards of $25,000,000! You can earn a very comfortable living doing what you love and building up your acting career.
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