Hello everyone, I apologize in advance for the walls of text! So, I'm currently working as a professional musician in new york and have been thinking that I'd like to try my hand at acting. I'm 23 and have pretty much zero experience (did some community theatre as a kid). Anyways I've got a few questions.

1. I'd ideally like to skip over the community theatre phase. Would a class or coach be a good alternative to start out? Anyone have any recommendations for classes in the city?

2. I've always loved sung-through musicals. How much do you think casting directors weigh singing vs acting experience? Would it be silly to try to audition based on my voice alone?

3. Should I be looking for a path to get an equity card sooner than later? Seems like a lot of auditions are equity only.

Whoa, slow down there mate.

1. You want to skip an essential phase of training? Yes, community theatre in your case is essential training since you didn't get to do school stage. You can't skip it. Even with classes or a coach you need to actually act and that happens with community and off off broadway experience.

2. You think a cd will cast you without experience? Uh, no. Your voice alone will not get you cast if you have not booked a role....

3. Whaaaaa! You want to skip all the classes and training and somehow get an AEA card without a resume and expect to get cast!!1 Not gonna happen. You can't skip to the head of the line. Sorry to say but this is a journey and there are no shortcuts. You need years of training and community theatre before you can even consider paid work. ESPECIALLY in NYC!!!!
This is the most competitive market in the world for stage, especially musical theatre.

Start looking for schools by searching this board and looking at Backstage's lists of NYC based schools and classes. The coaches come into play once you have the necessary classes and need to refine your technique. Good news though. You are in the best city in the world to pursue your quest! Everyone needs to start at the bottom and there are no shortcuts.
Break legs and enjoy the journey.

I think maybe I worded some of that wrong... I wasn't at all thinking of skipping to broadway, more off off broadway or smaller professional theaters and even that would be after classes etc. The question about sung-through musicals was more about how much singing vs acting experience is weighed. As far as equity, I was asking about a path not getting a card right away.

I do have a lot of experience as a performer and a singer (currently working as a professional touring musician, have played in the pit for a number of professional musicals) and I'm trying to figure out the best path to follow with this idea.

Ok, sorry. I guess wrong direction here. I too was a sideman at your age and did some time in the pits too in Chicago. Maybe someone else can give you some direction. Good luck.