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Expert Career Consultant specializing in the Performing Arts

@leesacsolak_

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The insider performers & parents call when they’re done guessing. 600+ clients. Broadway.Film.TV. My sons did it. You can, too. 👇🏻Free Strategy Call.

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If you’re a recent college graduate entering the professional performing arts world, please hear this before you start submitting.

Your college program may have done an incredible job preparing you to sing, dance, and act.

But the professional business requires a completely different skill set.

You need to know:

→ What your professional assets need to look like
→ Who you should actually be contacting
→ What to send them
→ How to position yourself
→ When to submit
→ How to approach an agent or manager professionally
→ And how to avoid looking like you’ll require more work than you’re worth

Because agents and managers are busy. And if they open your submission and immediately see that your materials aren’t ready, your social media isn’t professional, or you’re sending a generic email with no strategy…

They may simply move on.

That doesn’t mean you aren’t talented.

It means talent alone isn’t a business strategy.

And here’s the exciting part: THIS is the window.

Late summer through fall is a critical time as agents and managers reevaluate their rosters and look for new talent.

So if you’ve been submitting and hearing crickets…

If you’re not even sure where to start…

If you’re wondering WHO should I contact? WHAT do I send? WHEN should I send it?

Stop traveling blindly.

You need a strategy.

👇 Comment STRATEGY and I’ll send you the link to apply for a FREE, no-obligation Strategy Call with me.

Let’s figure out what your next move should be.

#PerformingArts #PerformingArtsCareer #MusicalTheatre #professionalrepresentation #careerinthearts taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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2 months ago

There’s a moment every performer dreams about…
Standing in a theatre like this and realizing:
 “I’m not just wishing for this anymore… I’m building toward it.” 🎭✨

But the truth is… the path from talented performer to working professional can feel confusing.

You can have the voice. The training. The passion. The drive.
And still wonder…

➡️ Am I doing the right things? ➡️ How do I actually get noticed? ➡️ What do industry professionals look for? ➡️ Why does it feel like everyone else knows something I don’t?

After 40+ years in this industry — as a performer, educator, casting professional, and career consultant — I’ve seen one thing over and over:

The performers who move forward aren’t always the ones with the most talent…

They’re the ones who understand the business, create a strategy, and know how to navigate the journey.

That’s why I created this page.

To give actors, singers, and dancers the insight, education, and tools to stop guessing and start moving with confidence.

If you’re serious about building a career in the Performing Arts…

✨ Follow along. ✨ Learn the business. ✨ Create your roadmap.

Because talent is the beginning…

But a plan is what helps you make it happen. 🎭

#actor #singer #dancer #performingarts #musicaltheater taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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4 months ago

Most performers think the reason they don’t have an agent is because no one has “discovered” them yet.

That’s rarely the truth.

Most performers never get signed to representation because they’re not presenting themselves the way agents and managers need to see them.

It’s not just about talent.

Agents are asking:
• Do you clearly fit a marketable type?
• Are your headshots, reel, and materials competitive?
• Do you understand how the business actually works?
• Are you someone they can confidently submit for professional work?

If those pieces aren’t aligned, agents simply pass, even if you’re talented.

The performers who get signed understand that this industry is a business first. They position themselves strategically so representation can immediately see where they fit.

If you want help figuring out exactly what’s missing and what steps to take next…

Type READY in the comments and I’ll send you the link to apply for a free 1-1 strategy call with me where we’ll look at your materials, your positioning, and your path to getting professional representation.

#actor #talentagent #acting #actingtips #actorslife by @leesacsolak_

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7 months ago

Here’s something every serious performer needs to understand:

The audition is not the career. Auditioning IS the career.

You cannot put all your emotional energy, expectations, and dreams into one audition and then fall apart when you don’t get the job.

Because the reality is… you’re going to hear “no” A LOT.

And that doesn’t mean you aren’t talented.

It means you’re a professional performer working in a business where casting decisions are based on an enormous number of factors…many of which have absolutely nothing to do with your talent.

You have to be grounded in WHO YOU ARE as an artist.

You have to keep moving forward instead of waiting for one audition to determine whether you’re “good enough.”

And here’s another question I want you to ask yourself:

👉 Do you actually LOVE the work of acting?

Because if you don’t love character analysis, scene study, breaking down material, making choices, rehearsing, refining and doing those things over and over and over again…

You may need to redirect your perspective.

The booking is the result.

The work is the process.

And if you want a sustainable professional career, you need to learn how to fall in love with the process not just the possibility of the booking.

If you’re wondering what YOUR next step should be and how to connect with higher levels of the professional industry, comment HELP below.

Tell me a little about your story to date, and I’ll help you identify strategies that can move you forward. 🥳

#actor #acting #actorslife #actingcareer #auditiontips taken in New York City by @leesacsolak_

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25 days ago

What if the dream you’re carrying is bigger than the room you’re standing in? ✨

Maybe you dream of performing on Broadway.

Maybe you see yourself acting in film or television, dancing behind a major recording artist, becoming the voice of an animated character in a major production, or walking in a fashion week show or national campaign.

Those dreams are not too big. And you should never allow someone else’s limitations to become the limits you place on yourself.

But dreaming big also means being willing to learn, prepare, grow, and understand the path ahead.

Because the performing arts industry can be confusing. There are so many moving parts, and when you’re traveling blindly, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or waste time, money, and opportunities going in the wrong direction.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

If you’re a parent of a young artist or an adult performer who is serious about pursuing a professional career, I invite you to apply for a free, no-obligation strategy call with me.

We can talk about where you are, where you want to go, what may be missing, and what your next steps could look like.

👇 Comment “HELP” below, and I’ll send you the information.

Dream bigger. Get informed. Build the right foundation. And take the next step with purpose.

#MakinItHappen #LeesaCsolak #Broadway #BroadwayDreams #PerformingArts taken in New York City by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

Your child is singing all over the house, pretending to be Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande or their favorite recording artist. And honestly? That’s a wonderful place to start. ❤️

That love of music and desire to perform should be encouraged. But it’s important to remember that imitating a recording artist and learning healthy vocal technique are two different things.

Singing along to a favorite song doesn’t necessarily develop the breath support, pitch, range, or vocal habits your child will need as they grow.

You also don’t need to begin with an expensive private coach or major industry program. Public school chorus or music classes, as well as a local church choir or music program, can provide accessible ways to learn the fundamentals and discover whether your child wants to pursue singing more seriously.

The goal isn’t to take away the joy, it’s to build on it with the right foundation.

I recently discussed this with Broadway professional performing artist Julian Thorne on my podcast. Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts.

Julian shares his journey and valuable insight for parents and young artists exploring their potential.

🎧 Go to YouTube and subscribe to Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts for conversations with professional performers about their journeys, the realities of the business, and tips for navigating the industry. Adults pursuing careers in the performing arts will find helpful advice, too.

📺 Watch on YouTube
🎧 Stream on all major platforms
⬇️ Download wherever you get your podcasts

Let them sing. Let them dream. And when they’re ready, help them build the skills to support that dream.

#MakinItHappen #LeesaCsolak #JulianThorne #PerformingArts #YoungSinger ChildSinger taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

Let’s talk about something every young performer and every parent needs to understand.

If you’re taking acting, singing, and dancing…
You’re getting all the leads in your school shows.
You’re getting all the leads in community theater.
You’re the standout at your dance school.
You’re winning competitions.

You’re being told, “You’re the best here.”

That’s wonderful. Celebrate those accomplishments. 👏

But here’s the question you need to ask:

How does your skill set compare to the level of talent you’ll be competing against in the professional industry?

Because if your dance school is only entering lower-level competitions, and you’re winning everything, that may tell you that you’re the best in that particular environment.

It does not automatically tell you where you sit against the dancers competing at the highest levels nationally or internationally.

The same is true for acting and singing.

Being the strongest performer in your school, your community theater, or your local program is a great starting point.

But if your goal is Broadway, film, television, national tours, commercial dance, or other top-level professional work, you need to be exposed to the level you’re aspiring to reach.

That means seeking out:

✔️ Top-level training
✔️ Stronger competition
✔️ Industry professionals who can honestly assess your abilities
✔️ Opportunities to see where you stand against performers outside your usual circle

Because you don’t want to spend years believing you’re already at the top of the industry… only to discover that you’ve never actually been exposed to the top of the industry.

You cannot accurately measure your professional readiness inside an environment that has never challenged you to reach that level.

And remember: This is not about discouraging a young performer.

It’s about giving them the information they need to make smart decisions about training, representation, and their future.

Talent is wonderful. Confidence is important. But an honest understanding of where you stand is what helps you move forward.

That’s how you turn potential into a professional plan.

#actor #youngact taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

FROM INTERNATIONAL TOURING PERFORMER TO AN ICONIC VOICE IN THE DANCE WORLD…

I am thrilled to welcome Julian Thorn to Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts! 🎭✨

For more than 30 years, Julian has been the iconic host of Showstoppers American Dance Championships—becoming a familiar and beloved presence to generations of dancers and families.

But long before he stepped behind the microphone, Julian spent 20 years performing and touring internationally as a musical theatre performer, dancer, singer, and actor.

And in this episode, Julian takes us through his journey—from his early years and the experiences that shaped him, to building a professional performance career and ultimately becoming one of the most recognizable hosts in the competitive dance world.

Along the way, he shares tips, lessons, and hard-earned insights that can help today’s performers—and the parents supporting them—better understand what it really takes to build a career in the performing arts.

Whether you’re the parent of a young performer, a dancer, singer, or actor pursuing a professional career, there is something in this conversation for you.

🎧 Tune in to Makin’ It Happen: A Career in the Performing Arts.

👉 Subscribe on YouTube: Makin’ It Happen with Leesa Csolak
👉 Stream the episode on your favorite podcast platform.

Because understanding the journey can change the way you approach YOUR journey.

#MakinItHappen #ACareerInThePerformingArts #JulianThorne #Showstoppers #broadway taken in New York City by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON. ⏳
This is the SWEET SPOT of the year
to get on agents’ & managers’ radar.

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GET YOUR ASSETS READY
Your headshots. Resume. Reel. Self-tapes.
Make sure they sit in the TOP 1–3%
of what the industry sees.

5
KNOW YOUR CASTING LANES
What roles do you actually book?
Know your “type,” strengths & marketability
BEFORE you start submitting.

4
TRAIN AT THE TOP
Get exposure to TOP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
so you can create work that competes
at the professional level.

3
MAKE YOUR SUBMISSION STAND OUT
Your email matters.
Your SUBJECT LINE matters.
Every detail communicates:
“I understand this business.”

2
KNOW HOW TO SELL THE VALUE
Show agents & managers that you’re prepared,
professional, coachable—and capable of delivering
STELLAR SELF-TAPES that get noticed.

1
THEN… LEARN THE BUSINESS.
Know how it works.
Walk the walk. Talk the talk.
Interview like a PEER not a hopeful.

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🚨 NOW IS THE TIME. 🚨

The next 2½ MONTHS are your window.
Get your assets ready.
Get your strategy right.
GET IN THE GAME.

Don’t wait until the window closes
to start preparing.

Click the link in my bio to apply for a free, no-obligation strategy call with me and let’s have a conversation!
Together, we can make this happy for you this fall!

#performingarts #actorslife #broadway #professionalrepresentation #singerslife taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

A TROPHY DOESN’T TELL YOU IF YOUR CHILD IS READY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY.

And this is something every parent of a young performer needs to understand.

If your child or teen wants to eventually compete for work on Broadway, in film, television, national tours, or at the highest levels of the performing arts, they need more than opportunities to perform.

They need exposure to the level they are ultimately trying to reach.

Local theater? YES.
School choir? YES.
Local Nutcracker? YES.
Dance competitions? YES.

Those experiences can build confidence, stage experience, discipline and a love of performing.

But if those are the ONLY environments they experience, how do they know where they actually stand in the larger professional landscape?

Instead of ONLY entering a competition where they have a good chance of winning a trophy, add conventions, intensives and opportunities where they are surrounded by dancers training at the highest levels.

Instead of ONLY seeing community theater, take them to see a Broadway show.

Buy the ticket. Make the trip. Let them SEE what the top of the industry looks like.

And today, geography doesn’t have to be the barrier it once was.

A young performer in a small town or rural community can supplement their training with world-class teachers and coaches through private Zoom instruction.

Whether their focus is dance, acting, voice or all three- exposure matters.

Because getting the lead in your local production is wonderful.

But it is NOT the end game if the goal is eventually competing with young artists who have been receiving elite-level training and exposure for years.

Your job isn’t to discourage them.

Your job is to help them understand:

“Where am I now… and what do I need to do to get where I want to go?”

That requires the right benchmark.

Follow me for more information about navigating the professional performing arts industry.

And if you’re looking for guidance for your child, teen, or young adult, go to the link in my bio and apply for a FREE, no-obligation Strategy Call with me.

#PerformingArts #YoungPerformers #performingartstraining #broadway #filmtv taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

Your child may be talented… but do you REALLY know where they stand against the professional industry standard?

Talent alone doesn’t tell you what needs to happen next.

Whether your young artist is pursuing a college program, heading straight into the business, or you’re simply trying to understand their potential, you need to expose them to world-class training AND the level they ultimately need to reach to compete at the highest levels of the industry.

Broadway. Television. Film. National tours. Commercial work.

Because if you don’t know where the bar is… how can you possibly know how far you have to go?

Your job isn’t to compare your child to everyone else.

It’s to establish their barometer:

📍 Where are they NOW?
📍 Where do they need to be?
📍 What skills need strengthening?
📍 What needs to improve over the next 6 months?
📍 What needs to improve over the next 1–3 years?

The goal isn’t perfection overnight.

The goal is progress with a target.

And THAT is how you stop training blindly and start building a professional artist with a strategic plan.

Know the bar. Measure against it. Build the skills to reach it.

Follow me for more insider guidance on navigating a career in the performing arts. 🎭

Apply for a free, no obligation strategy call today. Link in bio!

#PerformingArts #PerformingArtsCareer #YoungPerformers #YoungArtists #BroadwayBound BroadwayDreams taken in New Jersey/ New York by @leesacsolak_

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a month ago

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