Where We Are, and Where We are Going.
Where We Are
We’re proudly based in Lorain, Ohio, where this entire idea started — in the same city where our founder saw his first production and fell in love with acting.
Right now, Essentials for Actors operates as an online-only storefront, run locally with help from a small team of collaborators. We don’t have a physical store (yet), but we’re getting the word out the best way we know how: through people. Whether it’s a conversation after a show, a message from a fellow actor, or a casual meet-up, we share the kits with those who are interested — one connection at a time.
It’s small, scrappy, and full of heart — just like the dream.
Ohio isn’t just home — it’s the foundation.
Where We’re Going
This is just the beginning.
Our goal is to eventually expand state by state, working with trusted reps who help shape each region’s offerings. No two acting communities are exactly the same — and we want our products to reflect that. As we grow, we’ll build with intention, not just scale.
We’re dreaming of scholarship programs, custom kits for every level of the journey, more collaborations, and so much more down the line. But no matter how far we go, we’ll always stay rooted in why we started:
To make things a little easier for actors — and to be even just a small part of your journey forward.
So… where are we going?
Hopefully somewhere together.
Because actors don’t need brand new — they need what works, what lasts, and what brings the dream within reach.
📚 Why not just use brand new books?
Because let’s be real — most acting books are read, marked up, highlighted, and then shelved. Pre-owned books still have all the knowledge, and sometimes even a few bonus notes from actors before you. It’s not about shiny pages — it’s about the work inside.
Plus, did you know that over 320 million books are sent to landfills each year in the U.S. alone? That’s a lot of wasted paper, wisdom, and potential.
It just makes sense to reuse — for your wallet, and the world.
♻️ Is this a sustainability thing?
Yes — and proudly so. Reusing books isn’t just a cost-saver, it’s a conscious choice. With millions of books ending up in landfills each year, we’re doing our part to reduce waste and give each book a longer, more meaningful life.
We believe being an actor means paying attention — to people, to moments, and to the world around us. Sustainability is part of that awareness. By choosing pre-owned, we’re cutting down on overproduction, shipping emissions, and unnecessary waste — all while keeping the focus on what matters: the craft.
One book. One kit. One small step toward something better.
💸 Is it to cut costs?
Yep —thats definitely another factor and we’re not shy about it. Acting is expensive enough. Between classes, headshots, equipment, and gas money to auditions, it adds up fast. Pre-owned books help us keep our kits affordable without sacrificing quality.
We’d rather spend money on things that matter — like gear, tools, and resources that help you grow — instead of charging full price for a brand book when theres life and savings in books that have been loved already.
Keeping costs low means making acting more accessible. And that’s the point.
🔁 Can I return it when I’m done?
Yes — and we’ll give you $5 off your next kit as a thank-you.
Here’s how it works: once you’ve finished the book, send it back to us (you cover shipping), and when it arrives, we’ll send you a discount code for $5 off your next purchase. The book will either be reused in a future kit or added to one of our scholarship kits for actors who need a little extra support.
Why do we do this? Because every book you return saves us from buying another, keeps good material in rotation, and helps us keep kit prices low for everyone. It’s a small cycle — but a powerful one.
Prefer to pass it on to another actor yourself? That’s great too. Knowledge is meant to be shared.