Do you NEED a stage name? SHOULD you change your name?
Does your name correlate with the auditions you get and jobs you book?
For the most part, we’d say the answer is a resounding “NO” to most of these…
With one exception.
The only time you might want to consider a SIMPLE name change (or even just addition of your middle name) is if someone already has your first & last name in the union.
SAG makes every effort to avoid enrolling members with the same name or with very similar names.
Sometimes, you may need to add a middle name, initial, or use a preferred nick name or full name for this reason alone.
But a few things you should know about choosing whether or not to have a stage name:
1. Your name, regardless of how common or unique it is, will not be the “thing” that gets you an audition or help you book a job.
2. “Hard-to-pronounce” names are not an inconvenience. Ever.
3. It’s our job to remember your name. Don’t change your name just because you think it will more memorable. If you’re talented, we’ll remember. Period.
Of course, if you WANT a stage name, go for it! But if you’re on the fence and would rather keep things consistent, don’t worry about having one.
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