Acting in Texas

SAG-AFTRA runs a Dallas-Fort Worth local (office in Dallas, also covering Oklahoma and Arkansas) and a Houston-Austin local reaching south to Brownsville. Texas is right-to-work, so plenty of work is non-union too.

Texas stopped licensing talent agencies in 2011, so the best credential is SAG-AFTRA’s franchised agents list. Legitimate agencies don’t charge sign-up fees.

Texas agencies in our directory include Collier Talent Agency, The Acting Group (TAG), MH Artists, Tory Christopher Group, Avant Agency, Broad Talent, The Horne Agency and PB Talent. All talent agencies.

Professional headshots, a current resume and ongoing training. Agents usually manage your profiles on Actors Access, Casting Networks and similar sites; unsigned actors can build their own.

Across Texas: acting classes and coaches, headshot photographers and self-tape studios. Make your résumé with the résumé maker.

Shows on the state grant need Texas residents for 35% of paid cast, counted separately from crew. Make a free profile, tick Cast and say whether you can sign the state’s residency declaration, and productions searching for Texas actors find you.

In Austin: Cano Sisters Casting, Beth Sepko Casting, Vicky Boone Casting, Burton Casting and Sarah Dowling Casting. In Dallas: Cast-O-Matic and Buffalo Casting. In Houston: GS Casting. All casting.

The state posts free calls on its casting hotline, and we gather public calls on Calls.

Scam check: never pay to audition. Sign a deal memo even when the job is unpaid. The state’s guide for actors and extras.

A child under 14 needs a Child Actor Authorization from the Texas Workforce Commission. A parent signs the application and sends proof of age and a small photo; the card lasts until the child turns 14.

• A parent or guardian must be allowed on set, within sight and sound.
• After two straight school days on set, the production provides a certified tutor.
• Background extras under 14 don’t apply; the production handles notice and consent.

The state’s child labor guide for productions.

Texas theaters train and cast screen actors: Zach and Hyde Park Theatre in Austin, the Alley and the Ensemble in Houston, Dallas Theater Center and Kitchen Dog in Dallas, Stage West and Jubilee in Fort Worth.