I did some SP work when I lived in Boston and found it to be a convenient and fulfilling way to support my acting career. I wanted to continue the work when I moved to NYC this past September, but am having difficulty finding programs. Does anyone have recommendations or contacts?

Thanks for your help!

By the way, my name is Emily, I've been listening to Everything Acting for about a year, moved to NYC in September, and though I have been an occasional lurker here in the past, I hope to be an active participant. I am always eager to hear the wisdom and advice of fellow actors!

Hi Emily! Welcome to NYC!

I don't know exactly what SP work is. Enlighten us!

I definitely have seen the ads in backstage, but not often. I don't know if there's a way to search the archives.

hey darby--- until Emily chimes in, it is essentially where you are hired as an actor to play the role of "patient" for medical students. I believe you are given training on what kinds of things to say and they also want you to have certain emotions (the rebellious patient, angry patient, etc...this is all to teach the upcoming doctors how to talk to and deal with patients before they are actually in the real situation.
I think you have to be willing to let them perform various exams/tests on you, but I dont know how in depth that goes.

I think some schools involved with CUNY offer programs...

INTERACTIVE EXAM

Andreas Cohrssen (prod.) is seeking talent to play standardized patients in an interactive exam of doctors. Rehearses two days in Feb.; performs March 5 in NYC.

Seeking—Male and Female Patients: 18+, no nudity required.

Send pix & résumés ASAP to Dr. Andreas Cohrssen, Institute for Urban Family Health, 16 E. 16th St., NYC 10003; or email to acohrsseb@institute2000.org. Pay for rehearsals and performance provided.

Transfergirl, thanks for the post! I sent off an email as soon as I read it. Where did you find it?

Fischy500, thanks for explaining!

Darbi, Fischy500 got it. The students do perform exams on you, but when you sign up for the work, you tell them what you are comfortable with and you will be assigned a case accordingly. It's fun work because you get to use your improv skills and the students are usually receptive and grateful for your feedback.

I don't remember- I want to say Backstage.

Thanks also for the reminder. I meant to submit.

Ugh. Now I remember- I did submit, and my email was returned. Again.

My email was returned as well, so I went to the website and found a general email address. They just got back to me and said that they had already filled the positions. Maybe next time!

I am would think there would have to be some in the area, maybe check with the local uni's?

I was an SP for a couple of years in Chicago for a company called ECFMG. Many SP jobs are at colleges but this company tests recently graduated medical doctors before they are allowed to practice. Many actors do it as the job is part-time as needed and pays fairly well. Unfortunately, they don't have a center in NYC, but they have them in Chicago, LA, Philadelphia, and I believe Atlanta. You can get more info or apply at ecfmg.org.

Another great thing to check out is calling local lawyer groups to do mock trials! They're fun, and they should pay very well. In dc, we have tons of simulations. I've worked with secret service, FBI, CIA, all the local police departments, US mail, all the local hospitals. I worked with a company called MPRI. They may have an office in NYC, check em out. Peace-