Stage Door is an in-process listing of resources for Washington-area theatre professionals. Some of the resources are offered or supported by theatreWashington, such as the Taking Care fund (for emergency medical needs); Not in Our House, a community project developing a standard of safety in D.C. theatre and addressing sexual harassment and other abuse in the community; the Education Explorer database; and our Mentoring Program.

Browse the categories to get information and, learn what resources are available, connect with social media groups, search for classes or workshops, audition opportunities, day jobs, help in a crisis, area health clinics, banking, housing, and more.

This page will be continually updated with links to resources that may be of service to you. If you have suggestions about something that might be missing, please contact Michael Kyrioglou, Theatre Services Manager, mkyrioglou@theatrewashington.org.

Directory of Resources

Communities
Education & Training
Employment
Finance Planning/Tax & Legal Resources/Career Services
Health & Wellness
Housing
Not In Our House
Production Resources
Unions

Communities

Actors Arena
The Actors’ Center
Artistic Babysitters
Baltimore Theatre Exchange
DC Performing Arts League
DC Small Theatre Working Group
DC Theatre Parents - this is private group on Facebook, invitation only
DMV Theatre and Film Community
Galvanize DC
Parent Artist Advocacy League for Performing Arts + Media
The Salon (community for gender-marginalized theatre makers)
Sharing News (re: DC Theatre) - this is a private group for patrons, ushers, theatre makers, on Facebook, invitation only
TheatreWashington 
The Writer’s Center

Education & Training

Classes, Workshops, Youth Camps: for theatre organizations that are listed on the Theatre Directory on theatreWashington.org, use the Education Explorer database to search their available offerings of classes, including The Theatre Lab school of the Dramatic Arts and the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.

Other sources of classes & workshops include:

Actors Arena
The Actors’ Center
District Improv
Story District – storytelling
Studio Acting Conservatory
Tooth and Claw Combat Arts
The Writer’s Center

Degree Programs

Academy of Classical Acting - GWU & Shakespeare Theatre Company (1 year MFA)
American University
American University Arts Management Program
Catholic University
Gallaudet University
George Mason University
George Washington University - BFA with Corcoran School
Georgetown University
Howard University
Montgomery County Community College - Associate degree
University of Maryland

Employment

TheatreWork – theatreWashington database for theatre professionals. Being used on a beta level by area theatre’s and casting personnel. Will develop to include job board and information on auditions.

Auditions:

The Actors’ Center
DC Non-Equity Annual Auditions

Equity Principal Auditions are also open to Equity Membership Candidates, and non-union members. Sign up on a waiting list at the audition to be seen. EPA auditions are regularly announced on the AEA Greater Washington, DC/Balitmore liaison Facebook group. 

Casting Agencies

Carlyn Davis Casting
Central Casting
Pat Moran Casting

Capital Talent Agency (talent agency, not casting)

Design/Tech:

DC Theater Tech - The main focus of this group is that of a theatrical jobs board. Employers are welcome to post theatre tech, stage management and design related jobs. All job listings are required to list the salary, fee, or hourly rate for each position. A range, such as "$20.00/ hour to $25.00/ hour depending on experience" is acceptable, but the posting must list dollar amounts. Under no circumstances will messages seeking volunteer labor be approved.

Financial Planning/Tax & Legal Resources/Career Services

Tax Preparation

• Artist Tax Prep, Farrell Parker. Providing tax preparation services for artists and others with self-employment income
• Verarose Muir & Company - Individual and corporate tax returns and more
• Search for free tax preparation services near you: https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2018/aarp-tax-help-fd.html

Financial Advisors

• Laura Schlachtmeyer, Financial planner and educator. Group classes and discussions organized through theatres available about money questions and financial planning for theater types. No individual sessions.
• Online financial advisors: https://www.moneyunder30.com/best-financial-advisors

Career Services:

• Uproar Coaching, Kari Ginsburg, Professional & Life coach. Provides artists and entrepreneurs the support to release their inner bad-ass to own their authentic selves.  Pay-what-you-can coaching is available to Washington-area artists.  If you're ready to commit to yourself, then you're ready to commit to coaching.
• The Hustling Creative, Alexandra Palting, Founder/CEO - Services for clients of all creative mediums, education for young artitsts, and consultations for arts organizations, led by a collective of multifaceted artists who feel the duty to use all we've got for all of you.
• Raven Bonniwell, Professional Certified Life & Leadership Coach - offering group and individual coaching to artists. Discounted rates available.

Legal Assistance:

• Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - provides legal services to low-income artists and all non-profit arts organization in every artistic discipline. We consult with thousands of artists and representatives of nonprofit arts organizations each year.
• Washington Area Lawyer for the Arts - supporting artistic expression and creative innovation by serving the legal needs of the Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland arts and cultural communities, and providing access to education, advocacy, and legal services through workshops and seminars, legal clinics, and pro bono legal referral services.

Headshots & Photography:
DJ Corey Photography
Teresa Castracane Photography
RJ Pavel
Amanda Leigh Corbett
Ryan Maxwell Photography
 

Health & Wellness

Taking Care Medical Emergency Fund: This TheatreWashington program raises funds through bucket collections at area theatres and individual donations for disbursement to DC-area theatre professionals dealing with unforeseen medical or other emergencies.

Taking Care COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund: TheatreWashington announced in March 2020 an expansion of the Taking Care Fund to provide emergency monetary assistance to Washington-area theater professionals in times of unforeseen financial hardship due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Any theater professional currently residing in and who has actively worked in the Washington metropolitan area within the past two years is eligible to apply for emergency relief in the form of a $500 grant. As more money is raised, more money will be granted.

Care for Creatives: Stay Home and Talk it out! George Washington University and DC's Creative Affairs Office have teamed up for Care for Creatives to offer pay-what-you-can counseling for District-based creatives. Email Lindsay at CCSCFoggyBottom@gwu.edu to get paired with a clinician who is there to help you. It's important to know that Care for Creatives is not intended to provide emergency services.  If you need support in an emergency, you are encouraged to call 911, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. Also if you are feeling overwhelmed to the point of feeling suicidal or hurting yourself, please call 911 or the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

The Actors Fund (based in New York, 800.221.7303) is a national human services organization here to meet the needs of our entertainment community with a unique understanding of the challenges involved in a life in the arts. Services include emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, secondary career development and more.

DC, MD, and VA have state/district government services for residents:
DC: https://dhs.dc.gov/service/medical-assistance
MD: https://www.maryland.gov/pages/residents.aspx?view=Assistance%20Programs
VA: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/

Free or reduced cost medical clinics:
DC: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/district_of_columbia_care/ district_of_columbia_dc_county.html
MD: https://freeclinicdirectory.org/maryland_care.html
VA: https://www.vafreeclinics.org

National Mental Health crisis hotline, and treatment referral (US Dept of Health & Human Services)

• If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.
• If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
• Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727)

Free or low cost fitness options:

• DC: https://dpr.dc.gov/page/dpr-fitness-centers
• MD Parks and Rec Community Centers: http://www.pgparks.com/4497/Community-Centers
• VA, search by city/county: https://www.vrps.com/. For Alexandria: https://www.alexandriava.gov/RecreationCenters

Housing

Ghostlight Housing DC: for members of the performing arts. Listings of rooms for rent and rooms wanted.
Best room share websites

Not In Our House DC

Not In Our House DC is a local, DMV, group focused on combatting sexual abuse in our
theatres, protecting our community, educating people, providing resources for those seeking
help, and creating an environment of mutual respect.

Production Resources

FORTHCOMING

DMV Theatre Set Exchange Facebook Group

DMV Costume Exchange Facebook Group

Unions

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
National Headquarters - 165 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036. 212-869-8530
Business representative for AEA members: Kathleen Munroe - kmunroe@actorsequity.org, 212-869-8530 x413

Greater Washington DC/Baltimore AEA Liaison Committee
Lists EPA auditions, outreach for Equity Membership Candidacy, hosts events for both AEA members and non-members
Equity Local Liaison: Roy Gross. 877.232.1913 x839, Email: dc@actorsequity.org

SAG-AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Washington Mid-Atlantic Local
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 950, Bethesda , Maryland 20814. (301) 657-2560

SDC - Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

IATSE Local 22 - Int'l Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees

The Writers Guild of America West - labor union composed of the thousands of writers who write the television shows, movies, news programs, documentaries, animation, videogames and new media content that keep audiences constantly entertained and informed

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