Finding Success in America’s Show Business: A Foreign Actor’s Guide

People from all over the world flock to America with bright eyes and hearts full of dreams in order to pursue a career in the performing arts. You may have seen a foreign actor up on a Broadway stage, in a national TV commercial, or in the hottest new Netflix series.

I myself relocated to the US eight years ago to pursue a university degree in musical theatre. I was the first international student in my musical theatre program so I had no guidance in what I was to face as a foreign actor in the professional world. Over the years, I learned the key factors that contributed to staying sane and finding success in my career. Here are four things I wish I knew before moving to America as an actor.

1. Networking

I didn’t quite understand how important networking is in the performing arts industry until I moved to New York City. Often times casting can be a time consuming and tedious process, and directors and producers may resort to hiring people they already know or from word of mouth. I myself have been cast in multiple projects simply because I knew the right people and they trusted my talent and reputation. Networking is even more vital for international artists as recommendation letters are a critical part of the work visa and green card applications. Meeting new people and expanding your network doesn’t necessarily have to be a difficult task. It can be as simple as attending a dance class and getting to know your teacher, or joining a Facebook group, or having a mutual friend introduce you.

2. Audition, Audition, Audition

What I love about America is the endless amount of performance opportunities that are available. Whether it’s a commercial, film, or a musical, auditions are constantly happening. And the more auditions you apply and go to, the closer you are to your next job offer. A common misconception is that you need a talent agent in order to be a professional performer. This is not true. While a talent agent can be beneficial in getting you more auditions for high profile projects, I know of people who have booked Broadway shows and major TV series without being represented by an agent. Some of my favorite websites I use to look for auditions are Playbill.com (mainly for stage productions), Actors Access (I’ve gotten audition requests for Netflix and Hulu series through here), and Backstage (great for independent projects). Having a talent agent isn’t everything, but consistent auditioning is!

3. Figure Out Your Specialty

While there are a plethora of auditions and performance opportunities in America, there are also thousands of hopeful performers looking for their next job. Simply being talented is not enough. You have to figure out how to stand out from the crowd. Luckily for international artists, the fact that we are not American already makes us a little bit unique. But what else can you bring to the table other than your nationality? Do you speak a language other than English? Stories that portray a more global narrative are definitely on the rise. I never thought that my Japanese background would be utilized in my acting career, but I’ve been hired for several professional projects because of my fluency in Japanese. What other unique skills do you possess? This could be the ability to play an instrument, or even something simple like perfecting an impression. I used to be a competitive gymnast for ten years growing up and my tumbling skills have been showcased at many auditions and performance jobs. It’s a crowd pleaser but it’s also what sets me apart from other performers.

4. Find Your Community

I’m not going to lie, being on the other side of the world from my home, my family, and my culture is not easy. Being an international performer in America comes with its own set of difficulties that American performers don’t face, sometimes making me feel so alone. I quickly found how comforting it is to have your own community of people that can relate to you or give you a sense of home. Whether it’s having other international performers to share stories with about the immigration process or spending time with people from your home country to reminisce with, I think it’s important to find these connections to help you through the struggles of being a foreigner. In major cities like New York, there are plenty of Facebook groups and meet up groups specific to nationalities, and you can find restaurants that provide your comfort dishes and give you a little taste of home.

I hope my guide to a foreigner’s success in America can offer insight for anyone looking to pursue their dreams of performing. Take it from me – these tips and tricks will help elevate you to success!

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