ACTOR AESTHETIC
Your Ultimate Guide to Thriving in Musical Theatre
Created by New York City-based actress, Maggie Bera, Actor Aesthetic is a blog, podcast, and online learning community designed to educate artists pursuing a career in the theatre industry. Read up on audition tips, actor lifestyle hacks, musical theatre college auditions, Actors’ Equity Association, and more below!
Our mission is to empower actors to pursue their dreams with confidence.
Actor Aesthetic is a trusted resource for actors of all levels and backgrounds. Founded in 2017 by actress Maggie Bera, this online platform has grown into a thriving community that provides practical advice, insightful articles, and resources geared towards all aspects of the theatre industry. From audition tips to advice on building a strong resume, Actor Aesthetic covers a wide range of topics essential to an actor's journey.
Health insurance can feel overwhelming for actors… but how are working performers actually getting coverage? From Equity insurance and employer-sponsored plans to marketplace coverage and Medicaid, actors across the country share the real strategies they're using to access healthcare while building sustainable careers in the performing arts.
Master the art of self-taping with minimal equipment! This guide covers easy lighting, camera setup, and framing tips—perfect for actors auditioning for Heathers: The Musical and beyond.
Breaking down the rules for 6 of the most popular audition studios in NYC and answering the age old question… what time does Pearl Studios open???
Looking to sharpen your acting skills in NYC? From Meisner to on-camera training, these top acting classes will help you book more auditions and level up your career in 2025.
Struggling to get seen at auditions as a non-union actor in NYC? With Equity’s Open Access policy making union auditions more competitive than ever, non-union performers are facing more challenges—including chaotic unofficial lists and early morning sign-ups. Should non-union actors organize for better access, or is joining Equity the only solution?
Ready to move to New York City? Here are the top neighborhoods you should check out before taking the plunge as an actor in the big apple.
From online retailers and apps to libraries and coaches, this guide has all the resources actors need to build their audition repertoire.
Learn the latest ways to join Actors' Equity Association, including the new Open Access program.
Discover 10 actionable tips to enhance your audition book and impress casting directors.
"The best podcast for any young person wanting to pursue theatre"
"Maggie is the older sister we all need in our lives!"
“I listen to these podcasts whenever I’m second-guessing myself as a performer and need a pick me up, and they are so helpful!"
"The best podcast for any young person wanting to pursue theatre" "Maggie is the older sister we all need in our lives!" “I listen to these podcasts whenever I’m second-guessing myself as a performer and need a pick me up, and they are so helpful!"
Acting is a business - and in 2024, it’s going to be all about branding and marketing. You can be the absolute best actor in the world… but if no one knows who you are, and you don’t know how to market yourself … what’s the point?
Learn how to easily define your own brand and communicate it through websites, social media, headshots, resumes, and postcards.
After purchasing, a link to download the PDF will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
Still stuck singing the same 5 soprano audition songs?
You're not alone. So much of today’s musical theatre favors belters—and finding fresh legit or mix-friendly material can feel impossible.
That’s why I created this updated-for-2025 PDF:
100+ Contemporary Audition Songs for Sopranos
This downloadable list is packed with underrated, current, and callback-ready songs to help you stand out—without sounding like everyone else in the room.
Perfect for:
College auditions
Regional theatre
NYC callbacks
Rep book refreshes
📩 What you get:
A PDF with 100+ song suggestions categorized by style and tone.
After purchasing, you’ll receive a direct download link to your inbox. (Note: link expires in 24 hours, so be sure to save it!)
Are you a mezzo dying for audition book inspiration that isn’t “Watch What Happens” from Newsies? Download this perfectly curated PDF list of 100 contemporary mezzo/alto audition song suggestions.
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Searching for the perfect audition song to show off your tenor voice? Download the ultimate PDF list of 100 Contemporary Tenor Audition Song Suggestions.
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Feeling like everything in musical theatre these days is written only for tenors? Think again! Download this refreshing PDF list of 100 Contemporary Baritone Audition Song Suggestions.
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Say goodbye to “If I Loved You” and “Vanilla Ice Cream.” Say HELLO to this PDF list of 100 Golden Age Audition Song Suggestions for sopranos to wow creative teams!
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Prepping for an audition for a golden age musical and can’t find the perfect song to show off your belt? Download this PDF list of 100 Golden Age Mezzo/Alto Audition Song Suggestions.
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Tired of only singing “Try Me” and “On The Street Where You Live?” Download the ultimate PDF list of 100 Golden Age Tenor Audition Song Suggestions.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
Tired of singing “If I Loved You?” Download this refreshing PDF list of 100 Golden Age Baritone Audition Song Suggestions.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
Show off your theatrical experience, education, awards and special skills with the Ultimate Resume Template for Actors. Whether you’re new to the industry or you’re looking to update your resume, use this downloadable PDF template to get started.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
Cover Letters are important when submitting to agents, casting directors, and creative teams who prefer snail mail submissions. Learn how to submit the perfect cover letter with this downloadable Microsoft Word template.
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Every actor should keep an audition journal. By documenting key audition information, you will be able to learn from your own experiences every time you audition for a new role. Keep track of what you material you performed, what you wore, who was in the room, any notes from casting, and more. Download this template on Microsoft Excel to get started.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
More than ever, contemporary musicals are requiring actors to bring in music straight from the radio. Prepare for 50s pop/rock musicals like Grease, All Shook Up, Million Dollar Quartet and more using these 100 audition song suggestions. Most, if not all, songs on this list can be gender bent.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
More than ever, contemporary musicals are requiring actors to bring in music straight from the radio. Prepare for 60s Motown musicals like Memphis, Ain’t Too Proud, Little Shop of Horrors and more using these 100 audition song suggestions. Most, if not all, songs on this list can be gender bent.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
More than ever, contemporary musicals are requiring actors to bring in music straight from the radio. Prepare for 70s Rock musicals like Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and more using these 100 audition song suggestions. Most, if not all, songs on this list can be gender bent.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
More than ever, contemporary musicals are requiring actors to bring in music straight from the radio. Prepare for Disco musicals like Mamma Mia!, Kinky Boots, Saturday Night Fever and more using these 100 audition song suggestions. Most, if not all, songs on this list can be gender bent.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
More than ever, contemporary musicals are requiring actors to bring in music straight from the radio. Prepare for contemporary pop/rock musicals like Mean Girls, Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers, and more using these 100+ audition song suggestions. Most, if not all, songs on this list can be gender bent.
After purchasing, a link to download will be sent directly to your inbox. Link expires in 24 hours.
Acting is expensive—but not every expense is worth it. From dance classes and rehearsal studios to wellness routines and career essentials, here's what's actually been worth the investment (and what definitely hasn't).