The Broadway League and Actors’ Equity Association have announced a new audition initiative. The League-Equity Audition Program (LEAP) aims to help creatives and performers build relationships by holding non-specific, industry-wide auditions.
LEAP auditions will not be intended to cast particular projects or productions. Instead, they will serve as networking events: writers, directors, choreographers, casting directors and other theater professionals will have the opportunity to see singers, dancers and actors in the audition room, allowing them to build relationships that may lead to casting in future projects.
“Broadway has always thrived with the discovery of new talent,” said Broadway League president Jason Laks in a statement. “As our industry continues to think about access, opportunity and how creative teams meet performers, it’s important that we continue exploring new approaches. We’re always proud to partner with Actors’ Equity Association on programs that invest in the future of Broadway.”
“Development work is so important in our industry, because that’s where the next generation of hits are born,” added Actors’ Equity president Brooke Shields. “LEAP creates a new on-ramp for performers to work on the kind of projects that can change the course of a career.”
The LEAP initiative was born out of Equity and the Broadway League’s 2025 Development Agreement. This contract created a working group with the aim of creating new pathways to casting through industry-wide auditions, allowing creatives and casting directors to see performers at work outside of the traditional audition process.
The first LEAP audition will take place at Equity’s New York audition center on June 29 and 30 — one day will be devoted to dancing, and the other to singing and monologues. Additional information will be shared with Equity members in the coming weeks.
