The person in power typically knows the industry’s inner workings, possesses contacts, and decides which projects move forward. The young performer, by contrast, may have only heard rumors about the casting couch and has little concrete data to assess whether a proposition is truly a “deal” or an exploitation.

In New York State, the age of sexual consent is 17. An 18‑year‑old is therefore legally an adult capable of giving consent to sexual activity. However, consent obtained under duress, manipulation, or significant power imbalance may still be deemed invalid under certain statutes, especially if it involves “sexual exploitation” in a workplace context.

Two days later, I received a text from the same director: “Hey Maya, great audition. We’d like to offer you a spot for a read‑through tomorrow night. Same place, 9 p.m. Bring a friend if you want.” My excitement turned into a knot of anxiety. The late hour and the invitation to bring a friend—both common enough in the industry—felt oddly off. I texted a friend, Alex, who agreed to come along.