Every movie needs actors and every actor needs a role. Actors abound in Peoria, and although not quite as plentiful in Los Angeles, they can be found pretty much anywhere. Especially if they find out a movie is being made.
Now I’m not saying everyone wants to be in a movie, but there are places where the actors tend to gather in the hopes of gaining a role in a production of some kind.
Illinois Central College – The theater department and the multimedia department will know people involved in acting and willing to be actors in student films and/or independent films. If they don’t know who wants to be actors (or crew for that matter), they can let the other department teachers know and can spread the word about upcoming film projects in the Peoria area.
Bradley University – Like ICC, their theater and multimedia department heads (Wade Helm/Rolland Reinhart head up audio/visual) will know who is willing to take part in a local film. Plus Bradley actually has a film department with people more specialized in film production and film acting.
Peoria Players’ Theater – One of Peoria’s two theater companies, they share actors with Cornstock (the other theater, listed below). Peoria Players and Cornstock are the two largest gatherings of actors, especially older than college age. Need a middle aged man to play an older police captain? Peoria Players is a better bet than Bradley or ICC.
Cornstock Theater – Most of Cornstock’s plays aren’t as grandiose as Peoria Players’, but they also do more children’s productions. So if you’re looking for some children for a movie, Cornstock might be where to look.
Craig’s List – I include Craig’s List reluctantly as I’ve had limited success with anything on Craig’s List, whether it’s products I’m buying, attempting to get a freelance web design job, or selling something cheaply and quickly. I’m not putting Craig’s List down, I just haven’t had personal success with them. That being said, they do have a section just for “talent,” whether the need is for models (the most popular “talent”), actors, artists, writers, etc.
There are plenty of other places to meet people with the right look and the right talent, but make sure to screen people carefully before hiring them to be in a film. Another James Dean might get discovered in a local bar. Or at a store. A certain turn of phrase, the way someone moves… Something might inspire a chance to ask them, “Do you want to be an actor?”
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