Actors far and wide travel to the Big Apple to pursue careers on the stage, and or in front of the camera – but where do they find casting agencies? Well, we’re going to help focus the search by breaking down the best casting agencies NYC edition. By the end, you’ll know where to look for New York casting agencies. 

Casting Companies NYC

Abrams Artists Agency

Founded in 1977

The Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Ave., 38th Floor, New York, NY 10118

Services: Transnational acting representation

Casting Services NYC  •  A3 CEO Robert Attermann Explains the Process for Getting Representation

In 2018, Abrams Artists Agency was acquired by Robert Attermann, Brian Cho, and Adam Bold – and rebranded as A3. 

A3 has shifted strategy to the pandemic-era with client-led online workshops and Instagram Live shows. There’s no doubt about it: A3 is one of the premiere NYC casting agencies.

NY Casting Companies

Conclusion

Located in the Empire State Building, the A3 office is one of the most iconic NYC casting offices in the world.

Casting Companies in New York

Backstage

Founded in 1960

45 Main St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 

Famous talent: Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington, Al Pacino; the list goes on and on.

Casting Calls NYC  •  How to Get An Agent by Backstage

Scarlett Johanson Headshot StudioBinder

“How did I get into acting? Well, I read a lot of Backstage. Everybody got Backstage. That's so funny. Backstage, wow. Doesn't every unemployed actor have their Backstage? That's the first step.”

– Scarlett Johannson on Backstage. 

It’s no secret that some of the world’s biggest actors got their start by scouring casting listings on Backstage. Backstage has been around for more than 60+ years, which means it has a considerable track record. 

Best Casting Agencies NYC

Conclusion

With testimonials from stars far and wide, there’s no reason not to sign up for “the most trusted name in casting.”

Casting Companies NYC

Buchwald

Founded in 1977

10 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017

Services: National acting representation

NY Casting Companies  •  David Elliot of Buchwald Breaks Down Services of the Agency

Buchwald is a great casting agency because it represents talent in just about every industry imaginable. Broadcast? Check. Theater? Check. V.O.? Check. Buchwald does it all – and that’s one reason why it’s such a respected NYC casting agency. 

Casting Calls NYC

Conclusion

With offices in New York City and Los Angeles, Buchwald makes it easy to be a two-coast client. They also make it easy to attain more information; just go to their site and e-mail the relevant department.

NYC Extras Casting Agencies

Central Casting

Founded in 1925

5 Pennsylvania Plaza 10th floor, New York, NY 10001

Specializes in background actors

Casting Calls NYC  •  History of Central Casting

Did you know that former Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America President Will Hays founded Central Casting. Yeah, like that Will Hays; as in the guy who instituted the Hays Code.

Coincidences aside, Central Casting is a great casting agency for background actors looking for “extras” work.

Casting Companies in New York

Conclusion

Central Casting is no longer exclusively a “New York casting agency” – but it certainly still has a big presence in the Big Apple.

NY Casting Companies

Creative Artists Agency

Founded in 1975

405 Lexington Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10174

Services: Transnational acting representation

Best Casting Agencies in New York  •  Creative Artists Agency President Richard Lovett Explains His Job

Creative Artists Agency is a behemoth in the casting world. Unfortunately, that means it’s highly selective; it also means it devours smaller boutiques for breakfast. But don’t fear, the United States’ biggest creative agency is a representation agency to strive towards.

Best Casting Agencies NYC

Conclusion

With offices in New York, London, Shanghai, Geneva, and more, CAA makes a splash in just about every market. 

Casting Calls NYC

Donna Grossman

Founded in 1991

12 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001

Services: Actors, models, and “real people.”

Casting Companies NYC  •  Audition for Donna Grossman, via Mitch Slater

Donna Grossman Casting is a well-reviewed casting agency for actors and models in NYC. A quick look through Donna Grossman Casting’s Instagram page shows that the agency is focused on modeling work; perhaps more than other boutique agencies in New York City.

Casting Services NYC

Conclusion

You can contact Donna Grossman Casting by mail, phone, or social media. All of the relevant information is posted on the “contact” page on the website.

Best Casting Agencies NYC

KMR Talent Agency

Founded in 1957

World’s Tower Building, 110 W 40th Street, Suite 1101, New York, NY

Services: National casting representation

NY Casting Companies  •  KMR Talent Q&A

KMR Talent represents talent in a diverse set of fields, including theater, literature, stunts, and film/television. The NYC office of KMR Talent has strong connections with theater on and off Broadway.

KMR Talent has a strong reputation in the casting world – so it’s absolutely worth pursuing a working relationship with them.

Best Casting Agencies in New York

Conclusion

In the Q&A above, KMR Talent agents recommend connecting through a shared connection. Ask colleagues in your field if they know anybody represented by KMR, then go from there.

NY Casting Companies

NYCastings

Founding not listed

311 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

Services: National casting listings

NYC Extras Casting Agencies  •  NYCastings Site Tutorial

NYCastings is a feature-rich site for actors looking for work. The NYCastings’ website may not have the most intuitive user interface – but it does the trick. And don’t let the name NYCastings fool you, they feature job postings across the United States.

Casting Calls NYC

Conclusion

To find acting work in New York City, simply become a NYCastings member, then sort by New York Area.

New York Talent Agencies

The Gersh Agency

Founded in 1949

New York, 41 Madison Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10010

Services: National acting representation

Best Talent Agencies NYC  •  Alexander Yarosh, Head of Talent, The Gersh Agency by Ed Tech Team

The Gersh Agency is actually more of a Los Angeles talent agency – but it still has a huge presence in NYC. In fact, many working theater actors have relationships with The Gersh Agency.

The Gersh Agency isn’t as big as CAA or WME, which might be a good thing if you’re still working your way to the top.

Top Talent Agencies NYC

Conclusion

To get into Gersh, you’re going to need a referral. Reach out to colleagues to see if they have any connections.

NY Talent Agencies

United Talent Agency

Founded in 1991

888 7th Ave, New York, NY 10106

Services: Transnational acting representation

Top Talent Agencies NYC  •  Jeremy Zimmer on Changing Office Culture at UTA by Chicago Ideas

United Talent Agency has jumped into the 21st century by making some smart moves; first by removing executives who were enabling “bad office culture,” second by expanding their sports division via the signing of mega-agent Rich Paul, and third by leveraging new technologies.

Of course, it’s hard to praise the company too much from afar. But it does seem like they’re making the right decisions; albeit from an outside perspective.

Top 10 Talent Agencies in NYC

Conclusion

United Talent Agency is a transnational, juggernaut talent agency; no doubt one of the best NY talent agencies.

Top Talent Agencies NYC

William Morris Endeavor

Founded in 1898

11 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010,

Services: Transnational acting representation

Best NY Talent Agencies  •  Working at WME by psettings

William Morris Endeavor – or as it was once known: William Morris Agency – has been around longer than just about any of the other New York talent agencies. Over the past 120+ years, Williams Morris Endeavor has grown in size, opening offices in LA, Nashville, London, and Sydney.

WME is not in the business of signing unproven talent. But just know that it’s regarded as one of the best talent agencies in New York.

Top Talent Agencies NYC

Conclusion

A quick scroll through WME’s talent roster shows some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and more.

Casting Companies in New York

Note on NYC Casting Agencies

These are just some of the best casting agencies NYC edition. Of course, businesses are subject to change – and there’s no guarantee that all of the agencies mentioned here will be in business forever.

Stay up to date on NYC casting agencies by checking out the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Casting & Talent page. There, you’ll find government-sanctioned recommendations and promo codes. 

Up Next

Ultimate Guide to Auditions

Whether you’ve never acted before or you’ve starred in a big-budget film, there’s no getting around it, you’re going to need to audition. In our next article, we break down everything there is to know about casting auditions from casting sheets to callbacks. By the end, you’ll know how an efficient audition is run. 

Up Next: Guide to Audition [FREE Casting Sheet Template] →
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  • Chris Heckmann is a Professor of Media & Communication at Roger Williams University and graduate of UCLA’s Cinema & Media Studies Master of Arts program. When he’s not writing or teaching, he’s probably playing video games (or thinking about the next great Boston sports trade).

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