Interview Date:
Episode Summary:
MSA New York’s Talent Director Bre Traver breaks down exactly how dancers get on an agent’s radar and build sustainable careers. From her path from dancer to agent, to what MSA looks for in reels, headshots, and Instagrams, Bre shares practical, no-fluff guidance on submissions, onboarding, and being an ideal client. She contrasts the NYC vs. LA markets (live stage, Broadway, tours, award shows), outlines big client don’ts, and explains how agents scout in class, at shows, and online. The lively Q&A hits trends, triple-threat training, youth work, self-tapes vs. in-person calls, and why persistence, professionalism, and clear goals separate dancers who book “the big jobs.”
Shownotes:
(0:00) – Welcome & intro to MSA and Bre’s NYC leadership
(11:28) – Bre’s journey: dancer to MSA Talent Director
(20:24) – Inside MSA NYC: Broadway, tours, TV, and more
(24:53) – How dancers get signed and scouted by agents
(28:14) – Social media tips: Instagram presence that books work
(32:23) – Onboarding goals: materials, availability, and communication
(35:56) – NYC vs LA markets: knowing where you belong
(39:10) – Professionalism tips: biggest audition and booking don'ts
(44:10) – How agents scout in class and online presence matters
(51:12) – Q&A takeaways: training, self-tapes, visas, and persistence
Biography:
Bre Traver joined McDonald Selznick Associates East Coast division in 2007. She worked through the ranks as an assistant to Jr. Agent, to Franchised Sr. Agent, to Director of the Talent Department to now Equity Partner in the company. Prior to agenting, Bre grew up as a dancer and received a BFA from University at Buffalo. Bre is still serving as a lead agent for MSA’s NY talent roster. Over the years she has had the pleasure of booking clients on national commercials (APPLE, Advil PM, Pepsi), feature films (Best of The Best, West Side Story, In The Heights, 13, Tick Tick Boom), television (SNL, Law & Order, Pose, Maisel, Étoile, GMA, The Tonight Show, Last Week Tonight), award shows (MTV VMAs, BET Awards, Super Bowl Halftime), national tours (Hamilton, Wicked, Moulin Rogue, MJ, Hell's Kitchen, Beetlejuice, Some Like It Hot, The Notebook, Mean Girls, Chicago), and live work (Corporate industrials, New York Fashion Week, The Met Gala). Bre is proud to work on behalf of such an established roster of talent and enjoys keeping her finger on the pulse of our ever-changing industry!
Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breezyotoole/?hl=en
Website: www.msaagency.com
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