A Minute With: Director Lee Daniels on 'Broadway'
With some newfound notoriety, Lee Daniels has attached his name to an independent film, "Prince of Broadway," that he first saw as a juror at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2009. More »

Ghosts Past and Present
"When I turned the key to my grandmother's door a few weeks ago, I expected to find her waiting for me behind it as she always did. Instead, all I found was an apartment full of memories." More »

Deep in the Heart
On May 15, Emmy Award–winning actor Holland Taylor ("Two and a Half Men") stepped onto the stage of the Galveston Opera House in what may turn out to be a career-defining role: former governor of Texas Ann Richards. More »

First Steps
Geoffrey Soffer, a former ABC casting exec and the CD for 'Ugly Betty,' offers his advice on launching your career. More »

Page to Screen
Back Stage caught up with journalist and author Lawrence Wright to talk about the documentary based on Wright's one-man show, "My Trip to Al-Qaeda," as well as his unexpected transformation from writer to actor.  More »

Back To Basics
Crime dramas, conspiracy thrillers, and down-home narratives about youthful angst will be among the new shows entering our homes this fall TV season. All will be seeking actors for a range of roles. More »

At the Helm
Back Stage spoke with an executive producer and/or showrunner from one new fall show on each broadcast network to see what actors can look forward to. More »

The Good Guy
Jason Ritter got his first taste of acting when he was a toddler with a predilection for set-crashing. Over the years, he has built a solid career crafting a résumé that marries beloved indies with mainstream fare. More »

Taking Charge
For five years, Kyra Sedgwick has thrilled viewers with the glee of swiftly served justice as Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, head of the LAPD's Major Crimes Division, on TNT's hit procedural "The Closer." More »

Cheers to Her
Jane Lynch is not Sue Sylvester. Yes, this is tough to imagine, given how thoroughly she inhabits the towering inferno of a cheerleading coach on "Glee." More »

'Mad' for the Women
"Mad Men" may be named for the guys, but the show's women rule the roost. The characters are beautifully written, but these women's masterful and nuanced performances make them come to life. More »

Hot Nights With Swamp Rats and Demons
Patrick Fabian of "The Last Exorcism" discusses real exorcisms, wrestling Ashley Bell, and things that go bump in the New Orleans night. More »

How to Get Out of Sticky Situations
Avoiding audition sabotage, working with stage blood, digging yourself out of a blown audition, fixing a bad first impression and many more ways to get out of those sticky situations. More »

List of Dance Schools in Los Angeles and New York
As part of our Spotlight on Dance, here is a list of dance schools in Los Angeles and New York City. Each listing includes the school's specialties as well as their location and contact info. More »

Looks Bad on Paper
When it comes to lying on your resume, be it a slight exaggeration or a full-blown falsehood, we can offer but one piece of advice: Don't. Not only does it irritate the casting director but there's no need for it. More »

When the Shoe's on the Other Foot
You've auditioned for a role, and it looks like you are going to get it. But maybe it gives you the creeps or perhaps it's downright terrible. The bottom line is you don't want to appear in it. What do you do? More »

The Big Renegotiation
Charles de Gaulle said, "Treaties are like roses and young girls; they last while they last." The same can be said of entertainment contracts. More »

No Excuses That You Know
There are times when an excuse might get you out of a sticky situation. However, in the audition room, 'fessing up to mistakes might be your best bet. Here are some such blunders and ideas on how to handle them. More »

Turn the Beat Around 
The adage "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression" is undoubtedly true. But although second impressions may not eradicate a lousy first one, they can go a long way in the art of damage control. More »

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
What happens when actors fall ill the day of their audition? Should they call their agents or the casting office and try to reschedule or just put on their best healthy face and go anyway? More »

'Can I Start Over?'
Picture it: You're in the midst of a stellar audition. Then the unthinkable happens: You flub a line. What to do next? More »

Lobby, No Heroes
Although actor sabotage doesn't seem to be the norm, it happens, and it can be jarring. How can serious actors stay on their game while minimizing distractions around them? More »

From Better to Curse
Nancy Raffa, currently ballet mistress for American Ballet Theatre, is appearing onstage in "The Sleeping Beauty." She is the witch, Carabosse, who curses Aurora with the prediction that as a teen, she will prick her finger and die. More »

'Last' Dance
Ballerina-turned-actor Amanda Schull stars in "Mao's Last Dancer," a new movie based on dancer Li Cunxin's bestselling autobiography. More »

'Enemy' of the People
Playing a rageful character living an aimless existence (the drama "La haine") or playing a literally lifelong criminal (the action film "Dobermann"), Vincent Cassel excelled at the quintessential angry young man. More »