Backstage is a job platform for actors, models, voice artists, and content creators. It's more than gigs—it's your path to a thriving career. Find jobs, get expert guidance, and access the tools you need to succeed!Backstage was founded 1960 as a weekly trade newspaper for actors; since 2011, Backstage has been a digital career platform and two-sided marketplace that retains its focus on award-winning editorial news, educational content, and interviews from industry experts.Backstage Empowers TalentBackstage hosts tens of thousands of verified opportunities annually, spanning film, television, theater, commercials, modeling, voiceover, and UGC. As a hub for the growing creator economy, Backstage is committed to connecting content creators with brands and production opportunities. Users can use the platform to help manage their professional identity, showcase their reels, and apply to projects with confidence.Backstage is a Gateway for Casting and RecruitmentFor directors, producers, and brands, Backstage offers a best-in-class casting suite. Our employer tools allow creators to source high-quality talent quickly and efficiently. By maintaining a vibrant community of diverse professionals, Backstage can help every project find the right talent.Backstage Offers Expert Insights and Educational ContentBackstage’s commitment to industry education is showcased through its editorial content, which includes deep-dive interviews with A-list actors, instructional guides from industry experts, and the latest news on casting trends.Backstage does more than help you find work—Backstage can help you build a career. Whether you want to land one of the tens of thousands of creative jobs posted on our platform each year, or you want access to an exceptional talent pool to cast your project, Backstage is here to bring your vision to life.
Backstage (backstage.com) has 226 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 3.4 out of 5.
Also known as
backstage.com
Website
backstage.com
Category
Employment & Career
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
About these reviews
Replies
The company replied to 77% of reviews.
Latest
Most recent review: October 2026.
Edits
Reviews are shown as their authors wrote them. The company can reply, but cannot edit them.
Score
This company cannot pay to remove reviews or change its score.
I'm a movie producer and Backstage makes it difficult to contact anyone. There needs to be a telephone number for customer support. Someone needs to start another website with better customer service.
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi there, we're sorry to hear you were having trouble reaching our support team. For future reference, our email address is [email protected]. We have a small team, so unfortunately, we cannot pick up phone calls. However, you are welcome to leave us a voicemail message at 917-725-6367 and we'd be happy to call you back when we are available.
CW
Charlie W.
I got an acting role from it and…
I got an acting role from it and cancelled my subscription straight away and the process was smooth.
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi Charlie, we're thrilled to hear you booked a role through Backstage! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience regarding our cancellation process. We hope you return to Backstage and continue your acting journey with us.
BP
Bradly P.
Customer of 2 years
I had been a Backstage customer for 2 years and recently canceled only because it was not right for me. There was a mistake with the cancellation and I was charged full price for a subscription I did not need. Backstage refunded me without question. They've always taken great care and have a great platform IF USED PROPERLY. Most people do not use it properly, thus the bad reviews. Thank you backstage!!
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi Bradly, thank you for your kind review! We appreciate your taking the time to clear up some of the misinformation regarding our cancellation policy. We hope to see you return to Backstage to continue your acting journey with us. We're rooting for you!
DC
Digital Creator C.
Unprofessional, Invasive, and Completely Disrespectful
Backstage has been an absolute nightmare to deal with. They asked for my passport, personal details, and more invasive information under the guise of "verification." What kind of legitimate company demands this level of personal data for something as simple as a casting notice? Even banks and financial institutions don't go this far.
After jumping through all their hoops, they still rejected my listing without any proper explanation. Their dismissive attitude and vague "terms of service" excuse were nothing short of insulting. This isn't just unprofessional—it's downright shady.
I will never trust this company again and will warn everyone in my network about their unethical practices. If you're thinking about using Backstage, think twice. There are plenty of other platforms that value professionalism and respect their clients' time and privacy.
Save yourself the frustration and go elsewhere.
JC
Jamie C.
Worser still
The current state of StarNow, Backstage, and Mandy is nothing short of appalling for professional actors. These platforms, which once served as respectable resources for actors seeking legitimate work, have devolved into cesspools of exploitation and subpar opportunities. The decline in quality has been particularly noticeable since Backstage's takeover, with the situation deteriorating on an almost weekly basis. What was once a valuable tool for connecting talent with genuine opportunities has become a playground for those seeking to take advantage of aspiring actors and undermine the value of our craft.
Perhaps the most egregious aspect of these platforms is the insulting pay rates that have become commonplace. It's not uncommon to see roles being offered at a paltry £50 per day, barely enough to cover basic expenses, let alone provide a living wage. Even more outrageous are the "opportunities" that offer £200 for 15 days of work, which breaks down to an absurd £13.33 per day. This is far below minimum wage and shows a complete disregard for the time, effort, and skill that actors bring to their roles. Adding insult to injury, many jobs are advertised as paid positions, only for actors to discover that they're merely being offered expense reimbursement. Worse still, some roles are promoted with the promise of an IMDb credit as if that alone is sufficient compensation. These practices are not only unethical but also contribute to the devaluation of actors' work across the industry.
The bait-and-switch tactics employed by many listings on these platforms are particularly concerning. Aspiring actors, eager for their break in the industry, are lured in by promises of paid work, only to discover that the compensation is "expenses only" or, even more insultingly, just for "exposure." This deceptive practice preys on the enthusiasm and dedication of newcomers to the field, exploiting their passion and willingness to work hard for a chance at success. It's a manipulative approach that takes advantage of the dreams and aspirations of talented individuals, potentially discouraging them from pursuing their chosen career path.
What's particularly distressing is the rapid decline in the overall quality of listings and opportunities available on these platforms. Each week seems to bring new lows in terms of professionalism, legitimacy of projects, and adherence to industry standards. The platforms appear to have abandoned any commitment to maintaining a certain level of quality or protecting the interests of the actors who use their services. Instead, they seem content to act as passive intermediaries, allowing exploitative practices to flourish unchecked. This race to the bottom not only harms individual actors but also threatens to undermine the standards and practices of the entire industry.
It's high time that organizations like Equity and BECTU were made aware of this ongoing decline and the abysmal pay standards being promoted on these platforms. As professionals in the acting community, we have a responsibility to stand against these exploitative practices and fight for fair treatment and compensation. These platforms have transformed from useful tools into exploitative middlemen that devalue our craft and take advantage of those trying to break into the industry. Actors, especially those new to the field, deserve better than to be treated as disposable commodities. It's crucial that we raise awareness about these issues and encourage our colleagues to seek out legitimate agencies and casting calls that respect their talent, time, and professional worth.
In conclusion, StarNow, Backstage, and Mandy have become a blight on the acting community, actively harming the very people they claim to serve. Their practices normalize exploitation, undercut the value of actors' work, and create a toxic environment that threatens the integrity of our profession. It's imperative that we, as a community, take a stand against these platforms and the harmful practices they enable. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more equitable and respectful industry that values the contributions of actors at all levels of their careers. Only through collective action and a refusal to accept these substandard conditions can we hope to effect real change and restore dignity to our profession.
AW
Annie W.
Persistent fraudulent charges and ZERO HELP
The account I had years ago that never bore any results, was closed. Since then, I have received multiple charges for $199.95 on several occasions associated with different cards, yet neither were ever used when the account existed. "Support" does not exist and they have yet to help me.
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi Annie, we're sorry to hear you were having trouble cancelling your subscription. We hope this issue was resolved for you back in 2024, but if not, please don't hesitate to contact our support team at [email protected] so we can investigate further!
SW
Sabine W.
Backstage became Fraud
Backstage became Fraud! I signd up on year ago for 6 month….now I do not even have acces to an account, but they charged my credit card with 59,99€!!!!!!! I was sending sevarel mails…but no answer! I will fight for my money back!
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi Sabine, we're sorry to hear you were having trouble cancelling your subscription. As this review is from 2024, we hope you were able to successfully cancel your subscription by now. If you are still seeing new charges from Backstage, please feel free to email [email protected] so we can investigate further.
LL
Lauren L.
unauthorized charge, they won't get back to me
Update: They actually got back to me and it was taken care of.
they charged me for a subscription after I canceled, or I thought I canceled my subscription and their website is very confusing about canceling subscription. A lot of small text. I also discovered it's impossible to contact them. I have called and emailed to get a refund and they didn't get back to me. This used to be the best place for actors to go to, but I don't think they are anymore.
Response from BackstageMar 26, 2026
Hi Lauren, we're sorry to hear you were having trouble cancelling your subscription. I'm glad to hear your issue was resolved. If you need help with anything else, please don't hesitate to contact our support team at [email protected] at any time!