Acting Idol at The RAT NYC

Ten actors. One stage. Who will be crowned America's first ever Acting Idol?

There are competition shows for singing, dancing, stand up, fashion design, modeling, baking, and even magic...basically everything except acting! We intend to change that with Acting Idol, a monthly fundraiser for All You Can Eat Productions' upcoming short film, Madame X.

At our inaugural show on May 19, ten actors auditioned live for a chance to earn a coveted Golden Ticket to The RAT. The evening had everything you’d expect from a classic early-2000s competition show: dramatic meltdowns, delightfully sassy commentary from our guest judges Alise Morales and Meredith Dietz, emotional backstories that definitely didn’t influence the judges’ decisions, and unforgettable performances from some of NYC’s finest actors. By the end of the night, our panel narrowed the field to the Top 6 contestants.

Now the power is in your hands. Over the next five months, audiences will decide who goes home and who gets to fight another day in this live acting showdown where every vote matters and anything can happen. This month’s theme is Pride! We'll be celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ playwrights with guest judges Esther Fallick, Ashley Everhart, and John Kennedy, in a night dedicated to honoring the richness and diversity of queer storytelling.

Expect bold performances, brutal honesty, a fair amount of silliness, and moments you’ll definitely be talking about the next day.