Getting A Theatrical Agent - Part Two

Dear Eric Klass,

I'm glad that your insight on my question may help others in my situation, and I thank you for withholding my name.

I made my envelopes and cover letters stand out. I outlined the edges, front and back, of my envelopes with purple highlighter. My cover letter had a hand-drawn girl peeking out of a door way, and below, a very brief introduction:

"Hey there! My name is ***** and I am currently seeking new theatrical representation. I was hoping that you would be the one to help open the doors for me. Please don't hesitate to call me or my manager to set up a meeting. I look forward to meeting you!"

And all of them were individually signed by me, with accompanying phone numbers for both my manger and me. My manager says that the main reason she can't get me into offices, is the fact that I don't have tape. I have decided to produce my own reel through *******, or by renting the equipment myself. I understand that my not having tape is like being a painter without any art to show interested buyers, so I'm getting on that as soon as possible. My commercial agent isn't getting me out as much as I would hope, so I don't know if I should even ask her about
any possible referrals or suggestions until I have tape.



Eric Klass replies…

Your envelope and covering letter sound very cute and “openable”.

Speaking just for myself, what would turn me off a bit would be the “call me or my manager” statement in your covering letter. What this would say to me is that – if this person has a manager, why isn’t the manager doing the contacting of agents – rather than leaving it to the client. If the manager doesn’t do this – what else don’t they do? Very off-putting – and a sign of possible trouble ahead in working with this manager.

Another trouble sign with a manager (or agent) is their stating that they can’t get you into offices because you don’t have tape. Baloney! Most new people or young people don’t have good professional tape is because they are just starting out and haven’t done much yet. A reputable, credible manager’s (or agent’s) job is to get their clients seen – and in most cases there is no time for tape. What does this kind of manager (or agent) do then?

Eric Klass






Copyright 2007, Eric Klass Consulting. All rights reserved.