Build Your Musical Theatre Actor Website (Step-by-Step Crash Course)
Why Every Actor Needs a Website
If you're a musical theatre performer—or an actor working across stage and screen—you need a website. It’s not just an option anymore; it’s essential. Your website is your online home, a place where casting directors, agents, and industry professionals can find everything they need about you in one organized, professional space.
Unlike social media, which is controlled by ever-changing algorithms, you own your website. You decide how it looks, what it features, and how you present yourself to the industry.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to build a professional actor website in under an hour using Squarespace. I’ll show you how I set up my own site, along with examples from my clients, so you can create a polished, functional website that showcases your talent, whether you're a performer, director, educator, or multi-hyphenate artist.
Let’s dive in!
Here’s the full video tutorial if you prefer to watch me walk you through it with examples.
Step 1: Choose the Right Website Platform
There are many website builders out there, but Squarespace is my #1 recommendation—and the only platform I suggest to my clients. Here’s why:
✅ User-Friendly Interface – Drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to design without coding.
✅ Professional Templates – Clean, modern, and mobile-friendly designs.
✅ Built-in SEO & Marketing Tools – Helps your website rank on Google and grow your audience.
✅ Affordable & Scalable – Perfect for starting out but can grow with you as your career expands.
Other platforms like Wix are often tempting, but almost every client I’ve worked with has eventually switched to Squarespace for its reliability, speed, and polished design capabilities.
Step 2: Pick a Template That Fits Your Brand
Instead of building from scratch, start with a pre-designed Squarespace template that matches your style.
🔹 Keep it simple! Choose a template that “feels” like you—knowing you can always customize fonts, colors, and layouts later.
🔹 Focus on clarity. The goal is to make it easy for casting directors and agents to navigate your site and find your headshot, resume, and media quickly.
🔹 Don’t overthink it. The template is just a starting point—you’ll customize it to make it your own.
Step 3: Set Up Your Website Name & Domain
Your website should be yourname.com—no extra words, numbers, or symbols. This is crucial for branding and SEO.
🎭 Example: If your name is Jane Doe, your website should be janedoe.com (not janedoeactor123.com).
🎭 If your name isn’t available: Try janedoeofficial.com or janedoeacting.com—but stick with a .com domain whenever possible.
➡️ How to Get Your Domain: Purchase your domain directly through Squarespace, or transfer an existing domain to keep everything in one place.
Step 4: Build the Essential Pages for Your Actor Website
Every actor’s website should have at least these five key pages:
1️⃣ Home Page (Your First Impression)
This is the first thing visitors see, so make it count!
✔️ A strong headshot or action shot that represents your brand.
✔️ A short introduction about who you are and what type of work you do.
✔️ Quick access to your demo reel, resume, and casting links.
2️⃣ About Page (Who You Are)
Tell your story in a concise, engaging way.
✔️ Your background, training, and key experiences.
✔️ What makes you unique as a performer.
✔️ A professional but authentic voice—keep it conversational and engaging.
3️⃣ Media Page (Your Performance Showcase)
This is where you display your best work.
✔️ Demo Reel – Keep it short, polished, and highlight your best performances.
✔️ Production Photos & Clips – High-quality images from past performances.
✔️ Behind-the-Scenes Content – Shows personality and credibility.
4️⃣ Resume Page (Industry-Ready Info)
Make sure this is easy to download and always up to date.
✔️ A PDF version of your resume (formatted professionally).
✔️ Your headshot alongside your resume.
✔️ Links to casting profiles (Actors Access, Backstage, Casting Networks, etc.).
5️⃣ Contact Page (How to Reach You)
Make it easy for casting professionals to get in touch!
✔️ Email contact form (avoid listing personal phone numbers).
✔️ Links to your social media and representation (if applicable).
✔️ Optional: Sign-up form for your email list or newsletter.
Step 5: Optimize Your Site for Casting & SEO
Once your website is set up, you need to make sure it works for YOU.
🔹 SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Include keywords like "Musical Theatre Actor," "Broadway Performer," "Singer-Dancer-Actor," "NYC Actor," or "On-Camera Talent" to help your site rank in searches.
🔹 Fast Load Time – Make sure your headshots and media files are compressed so they load quickly.
🔹 Mobile Optimization – Most industry professionals will view your site on their phone first, so check how it looks on mobile.
Step 6: Publish & Promote Your Website
🚀 Ready to launch? Click “Publish” and share your site everywhere:
✔️ Add it to your resume, casting profiles, and email signature.
✔️ Include it on social media bios (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.).
✔️ Use it for digital business cards and QR codes for networking.
Final Thoughts: Your Website is Your Digital Stage
Your actor website is an investment in your career. It’s your professional hub, the one place where you control how you’re seen in the industry.
💡 Remember: Done is better than perfect. Your website will evolve over time, but having a simple, polished site now is better than waiting for perfection.
If you need help setting up your website, I offer training, coaching, and website-building guidance inside my program, The Empowered Actor.
📩 Want expert guidance on your website? Let’s work together! Check out The Empowered Actor for coaching, website help, and career strategy.
🎭 Need a little extra help? Email me or drop a comment below—I’d love to help you build a site that makes you stand out.
➡️ Let me know in the comments: Do you have an actor website? What’s your biggest challenge in building one?
🔗 Watch the full tutorial on YouTube for a step-by-step walkthrough of building your website in under an hour!
Ashlee Espinosa is an accomplished theatre professional with a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. As a seasoned actress, passionate educator, and dedicated career advisor, she empowers artists to build fulfilling, purpose-driven careers defined by their unique vision of success.
