The conventional wisdom is that there are no actors in Nevada

There is no talent in Las Vegas

For years casting directors have complained that there are no actors in Nevada.

Are there qualified professionals (the legal term) willing to work in Nevada?

How can we reverse the views of casting directors?

“There is talent in Nevada, the problem is that all too often those who come in to cast to not see it, or it is buried in massive cattle calls of people with little or no training, models and glamour seekers”  - Casting Director Bill Dance.

Actors continually study, practice and pursue their craft.

There are many dedicated teachers in Nevada (including yours truely), however if you listen to Hollywood actors who come here to profit on "wanna-be" talent here with expensive seminars and agency connections, this is a graveyard where no one, except possibly the university (and they are "theater") offers what an actor needs to learn. they make it seem as if you need to pay big bucks if you are serious.

The truth is a short seminar does not an actor make. Find a workshop and work out. Do local theater (SAG talent may work community or low pay theater as long as Equity is not organizing the production). Do local films, regardless of the quality of the final product (look for the union label, as SAG projects will protect your image an your professionalism). 

The industry does not look highly on local agents, managers or schools. That does not mean you should not be loyal and take what you can where you can and when you can. Just be aware of the national standard and what it takes to begin to earn a living with your talents and skills.

You must be ready when the time comes, and serious enough to roll the dice.

Being judged as a professional qualified performer.

Are we professionals? Are you a professional worth professional pay and the respect of being a professional? Talent in Las Vegas has a low reputation amid the national industry. When auditions are held her, producers often do not see the professionally trained and experienced talent, and instead are shown “wanna-be” actors or “real people”. Historically this is a reflection of the agents need to market non-acting talent in acting roles. Also, the nature of the work here means that most of the work is work that can be done by relative beginners and newcomers, who may not have the skills or experience of the talent pool in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Florida. - Nevada, the truth about the market

This is a national and increasingly international work market, where producers and directors interview in multiple cities and have data banks or actors they can call on, particularly to come work on projects filming in resort cities like Las Vegas, Reno or Lake Tahoe. They are your immediate competition. These “working actors” represent the level of talent, craftsmanship, achievement and business skills you need to aspire to and exceed.

“The more prepared you are for this business, the greater your chance of success when someone discovers you.” - Alan Berman, TV Director

So, how would your defend Nevada talent?

What is your take on actors in Nevada?

What can be done to raise our profile, and thus the amount of paid work we earn?

The floor is yours...