Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question we did not cover? Email [email protected] or call +1 (708) 232-3896.
About JRP Virtual
JRP Virtual gives performers a place to practice with working industry professionals and then present what they have built in front of agents, managers and casting directors. JRP Virtual provides professional acting and modeling training and showcase opportunities; it is not a talent agency. For more than a century, the John Robert Powers name has helped talent learn how to stand out and stay competitive, because in this business the most prepared performers usually get the opportunities. We focus heavily on training that prepares you to audition for industry professionals, and we approach rehearsal the way professionals do it: show up prepared, get coached, improve, repeat.
JRP Virtual is an online acting and modeling training program for kids, teens and adults. Talent train with working industry professionals on Zoom, then perform in live showcases for agents, managers and casting directors. The program was built for families who want real training and real access without having to relocate. JRP Virtual provides professional acting and modeling training and showcase opportunities; it is not a talent agency.
JRP Virtual is JRP Virtual, A Casting Call, Inc. Company. The program carries the John Robert Powers name, which has been part of talent training since 1923. If you have a question about the company, email [email protected] or call +1 (708) 232-3896.
John Robert Powers (JRP) was founded in 1923. Its founder believed there is no such thing as an unattractive person, only people who have not yet learned how to make the most of themselves. Confidence, naturalness and self-belief were at the core of his teaching, and those values still matter at JRP Virtual today.
Over the past century, more than two million men and women of all ages have graduated from the John Robert Powers system. Classic film and television names who trained with JRP include Lauren Bacall, Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Montgomery Clift, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Diana Ross and Barbara Stanwyck. More recent alumni include Dakota Johnson, Brenda Song, Lucas Till and Noah Centineo, Addison Riecke, Karan Brar, Albert Tsai and many more. You can read more on our Success Stories page.
Is JRP Virtual legit? Is it a talent agency?
Yes, JRP Virtual is a legitimate training and showcase program built on the John Robert Powers name, which has been in business for more than 100 years with thousands of success stories. Everyone we work with is reputable. JRP Virtual provides professional acting and modeling training and showcase opportunities; it is not a talent agency. We are upfront that fame, bookings and representation are never guaranteed. You can see what past clients and parents say in the next question.
JRP Virtual has a 4.6 rating on Google from 207 reviews. You can read them on our Google reviews page. Reviews from past clients and parents are also on the Reviews page of our website and on independent review sites.
No. JRP Virtual provides professional acting and modeling training and showcase opportunities; it is not a talent agency. Like any career path, training and marketing usually require an upfront investment of time and money, and successful actors and models will tell you the learning never really stops. These days, very few agencies cover startup costs for new talent, and occasional "discoveries" are rare. At JRP Virtual, we provide the coaching, direction and confidence to help you move toward your goals in entertainment.
No. JRP Virtual does not take any commission, percentage or referral fee from talent or from agents. We do not negotiate contracts or act as anyone's agent or manager. Any agreement with an agent or manager is between you and them.
No, and you should be wary of any program that does. What JRP Virtual does guarantee is professional coaching plus the opportunity to showcase and audition for industry professionals. Some clients go on to book television, film or modeling work, and others gain confidence, clarity and skills that carry into other parts of life.
Agents and managers see JRP Virtual talent through live Zoom showcases. They see our clients because JRP screens the public for marketable talent, and clients are prepared through professional coaching before they present. That preparation protects both the talent and the professional relationships we have built. Seeing a showcase never guarantees that anyone is signed.
No. Auditions are open to the public, but participation in JRP Virtual is by selection only. We look for people who are serious, reliable and genuinely interested, with the potential, commitment and marketability to move toward booking professional work. When our performers meet top industry professionals, how they behave reflects directly on our coaching. We have built strong relationships with agencies and casting offices because we are known for bringing in candidates who are talented, motivated and professional.
Look at who is doing the coaching. Training for television, commercial and film work should come from people who work in those areas, not only from local theater teachers. Great stage training has real value, but it doesn't prepare you for a self-tape, a commercial audition or an on-camera casting session. Look for a program that is clear about what it does and does not offer, doesn't guarantee fame or bookings, and explains what is included, who the coaches are, how showcases work and what the investment involves. Real agents and managers are paid only when you book work. At JRP Virtual, our coaches are working industry professionals, and we bring in industry professionals to work with our talent.
Auditions
The JRP Virtual audition is a live online session on Zoom, and the audition itself is free. You apply, register for an audition, and receive a confirmation email, a commercial-style script to prepare and clear instructions. During the session, our team explains what we look for and how auditions really work. Talent then perform their script in small breakout rooms led by a Talent Director, who evaluates professionalism, readiness and overall fit.
After the live audition, select talent who make the Call Back list are invited back for a one-on-one final audition with a Talent Director. Decisions are made the next day, so you will not be left waiting long.
Pre-screening auditions last one to three hours. Decisions are made the next day, and you will hear whether you have a callback or not.
Prepare the commercial-style script you receive after you register. Your confirmation email also explains what to expect, so read it before audition day. Join from a quiet spot with a working camera and microphone, and come ready to be focused and professional.
You do not need to be experienced, because JRP Virtual works with talent at all stages. Some are brand new to the industry and want a supportive place to learn and build confidence. Others already have a foundation and want clear direction toward a professional career.
Training & programs
Yes, more than most people realize. The industry moves quickly, and casting teams and agents don't have time to "wait for potential" to turn into readiness. When a performer is polished, trained and comfortable taking direction, it shows immediately.
No. JRP Virtual works with models, actors, singers and dancers. Modeling is where the John Robert Powers name started, and it helped discover and launch the careers of supermodels such as Niki Taylor, Jessica Miller and Beverly Peele. Most of today's modeling talent fall into commercial print, and there is also a real people category now, so modeling is much broader than it used to be. Fashion modeling does have strict height requirements (generally 5'8"+ for women and 5'11"+ for men), but commercial print and real people modeling are open to many more people. Whatever your path, we train performers for acting, modeling, singing and dance.
They will give you the tools, habits and approach you need to start building momentum. You'll be coached by celebrity and working professionals who have already dealt with the early-career obstacles you're facing. You'll get direct feedback and guidance instead of trying to piece everything together on your own. You'll also be part of a community that supports your growth as you train.
JRP Virtual offers three programs: Competitive I, Competitive II and the CAREER Program. Competitive I covers the fundamentals with a Celebrity Industry Launch Workshop, a Parent / Talent Industry Orientation, 5 weeks of audition prep sessions, a Pre-Showcase Workshop, an Agent / Manager Showcase and a Wrap-Up Momentum Meeting. Competitive II blends acting and modeling with an Advanced Acting or Modeling Bootcamp, two Pre-Showcase Workshops and two showcases, plus the same launch workshop, orientation, audition prep and wrap-up meeting. The CAREER Program is full professional immersion with two Advanced Bootcamps (Modeling, Advanced Acting, Sing or Dance), three Pre-Showcase Workshops, three showcases and 3 months of a Professional Marketing Platform. Current clients who have completed their foundation can also continue into our Momentum program, which is an advanced program not open to the public. It covers scene study, improv, public speaking, character breakdown, self-tapes and more.
You will learn how auditions actually function, what casting directors expect and how to perform with confidence and consistency. Talent are guided through the essentials: resumes and headshots, commercials and monologues, the casting process, and industry etiquette and expectations. The sessions run for 5 weeks in each program.
JRP Virtual offers workshops in acting, modeling, communication and performance. Current topics include Life (confidence and communication), Fashion & Print, TV1 and TV2 on-camera acting, Professional Acting, Professional Modeling, Runway, Actor's Audition, Communications & Public Speaking, Improvisation, Singing and Monologue. All workshops are delivered virtually. As students grow and show readiness, they may be guided into more advanced, career-oriented opportunities.
Current clients who have completed their foundation can continue into Momentum, our advanced program, which is not open to the public. Momentum includes showcases along the way, and classes cover scene study, improv, self-tape and online auditioning, auditioning for TV, film and commercial work, cold reads, script analysis, character development, comedy technique, voice over acting, accents and dialects, memorization, acting for the camera, public speaking, branding yourself as an actor, and industry terms and on-set etiquette. You also learn how the casting process works, from actor submission to what ends up on screen.
JRP Virtual coaches are working industry professionals, and are credited actors in television, film, theater and voice work. They teach the habits and expectations that matter in real auditions, and they give each student direct feedback. You can read each coach's bio and credits on the Coaches page.
If you miss a session, you can attend a make-up session to cover what you missed, then rejoin the next class. We want you to attend consistently, but we understand conflicts happen. Because the program continues week to week, the key is to stay steady and keep building.
You'll commit to a set amount of rehearsal time on weeknights or weekends so you can develop your skills and learn your material. Showcases with agents, managers and casting directors are held on weekends, after the rehearsal period. Extra rehearsal outside of that schedule isn't required, but if you want to put in more time on your own, we encourage it.
NO. We put academics first for students, and we only work with people who take school seriously. The schedule is built to fit real life: rehearsals and auditions are typically in the evenings and on weekends, so you can keep up with classes (or a day job) while still training consistently.
Showcases & industry access
A JRP Virtual showcase is a live Zoom meeting where talent meet with an agent or manager. They perform a commercial and a monologue, slate, and are interviewed by the industry professional. Singers may also be asked to sing. Our workshops and coaching lead up to the showcase, and we prepare every performer for each part of it.
JRP Virtual showcases are always held on Weekends. Because everything happens on Zoom, talent can join from home. Families in other time zones should convert Central to their local time when planning.
Signing with an agent or manager is never guaranteed. A showcase gives you the opportunity to perform and interview for professionals who decide for themselves whom to work with. If representation is secured, talent begins auditioning for television, film and modeling projects with professional support.
Yes, JRP Virtual clients can activate a talent profile to browse casting opportunities and receive alerts matched to their age, market and talent category. Casting listings come from third-party sources and are for information only, so always research the production and never pay a fee to audition. For talent under 18, a parent or legal guardian must create and manage the account.
Payments & cancellations
Training and marketing at any serious program usually require an upfront investment of time and money, and JRP Virtual is no different. We don't list prices on this page because details depend on the program. After your audition, your Talent Director will walk you through the programs and the investment, and they're happy to answer your questions.
We accept credit cards, checks and Zelle, with deposit and payment plan options available. Your Talent Director can help you choose the option that fits your family.
We have a three-day cancellation policy. Please ask any questions about it before you enroll. You can email [email protected] or call +1 (708) 232-3896 and our team will walk you through it.
If you've been accepted into a program, your Talent Director is the best person to answer your questions. You can also reach our corporate office at [email protected] or +1 (708) 232-3896. If you haven't auditioned yet, we're happy to answer your questions.
Technology & Zoom
You need a device with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and Zoom. Auditions, training sessions, agent meetings and showcases all take place on Zoom. If you are not sure your setup is ready, email [email protected] before your audition.
No. Everything is remote. Zoom is now standard for auditions, agent meetings and even sessions with well-known coaches. In the past, you often had to travel to get in the room, which was expensive and time-consuming. Now you can access the same types of opportunities from anywhere in the world.
Yes. JRP Virtual trains talent to master self-tapes, Zoom auditions and digital branding. Auditions, callbacks, interviews and agent meetings have moved online across television, film and modeling, so these skills matter. You train with working professionals who know today's expectations and trends.
Ages, families & international talent
The minimum age to join JRP Virtual is 5. We work with kids, teens and adults, so children as young as 5, teens preparing for their first audition and adults pursuing acting alongside a career all train in our programs. Email [email protected] if you have a question about a specific age.
Parents are required to attend auditions and showcases with performers under 18, and with anyone under 20 at pre-screening auditions. For classes, parents are welcome to observe from the side, with Zoom training available, but we keep the focus on the performer.
Yes, JRP Virtual helps aspiring kids and teens take their first steps into the entertainment industry. A great place to start is the online audition, where your family learns how the process works. Parents also take part through the audition walkthrough and a Parent / Talent Industry Orientation.
Yes, JRP Virtual works with families worldwide because auditions, training and showcases are all online on Zoom. Showcases are always calculated in Central Time since our corporate office is in the USA (Chicago), so international families should convert that time to their own time zone. Talent does not need to relocate to take part.
No, you do not need to relocate to begin training and being seen by industry professionals. JRP Virtual was built so that geography is not the biggest barrier to opportunity. If you book work on location, you travel for the job itself.
Our auditions, coaching and showcases are conducted in English, and the industry professionals we work with are looking for English-language work in television, film and commercials. Talent whose first language is not English are welcome to audition, and we'll talk through your goals and comfort level with you. Because casting directors expect clear, confident English delivery, we recommend being comfortable speaking and reading English before you enroll. If you have questions about your situation, ask your Talent Director or email [email protected].
You can email [email protected] or call +1 (708) 232-3896. You can also start by applying for an online audition. Our team will answer your questions about the process.