This is old, from 2002, just stumbled upon it. In practice, this seminar/showcase horseshit is corruption, unethical, a scam, what have you, but it’s also common practice nowadays and obv. not going away. Probably better for the Attorney General to tackle it then some in one ear and out the other news mag. In the past, c/ds saw you in shows, but who can afford to do a show anymore, esp. if they won’t come? There would be another way to get seen if not this way. This way is less then 15 years old, and basically robbing poor actors, setting it up so that only those who can afford them are now considered for jobs, which is lobbying really. It also sets up scenarios where just out of college c/ds are “teaching” seasoned actors as well, which is bogus. I remember in the music biz ardently refusing pay to play gigs, but it looks like they’ve been ok’d here. As I said, I still think there should be a better way, esp. as they’re getting greedy, more expensive to see the top tier people while with what one might have paid in the past you now see some junior agent, asst. and/or janitor ha ha. These industry practices are a microcosm of those in place now by our whole society though… Oh well. You can watch this ancient vid here.