A slideshow showing how theatrical productions get cast

1. How Shows Get Cast
Producer
Director
Assistant
Casting
Director
Agent
Actor
Audition
Callback
OFFER!
Negotiator

2. • Chooses show, dates, location, people & budget.
• Either is the $$$ or Represents the $$$
– Regional Theatre – Artistic Director
– Broadway – Producer
– Film – Executive Producer/Producer* **
• Can Get You an Audition
• Can Cast You
* Some executive producers represent money but do not have creative control
** The term producer in film may have many definitions, executive producer, producer, line producer, etc., with
varying definitions
Producer

3. • Directs the show
• Prepares the sides and role breakdowns for auditions
• Attends auditions, works with actors, selects
callbacks, and makes recommendations for casting.
• Can get you an Audition
• Can Recommend, but Cannot Cast You
Director

4. • Assistant to the theatre/company/producer
• Organizes sides and breakdown for Casting Director
• May organize local auditions and website information
• Arranges AEA open call
• Arranges transportation and housing for director, producer,
etc., for NYC/out of town auditions
• May book studio for auditions, accompanist
• Cannot get you an Audition, but can Recommend
• Cannot Cast You
Assistant/
Company Mgr.

5. • Supervises prepared auditions for shows
– Prepares and Sends out Breakdowns
– Arranges auditions, sends sides to agents/actors
– Arranges audition schedule, readers and monitors
– Selects and Arranges the ACTORS who will audition
– Sends recordings/or attends live auditions for producer/director
– Seeks for new talent in showcases, productions, etc.
• Can get you an Audition
• Cannot Cast You
*In TV/film: extra, local and small role casting may be done by the casting director
Casting Director

6. 1. Negotiates contracts for actors
2. Submits actors to casting directors via actorsaccess.com, etc.
3. Receives requests for actors availability for roles/auditions
4. Advises actors on which auditions and roles to accept
5. May introduce actors to casting directors and producers*
6. Managers may work on auditions and materials with actors
7. Seeks for new talent in showcases, productions, etc.
• Cannot get you an Audition, but can Greatly Influence
• Cannot Cast You
*Strong agents/managers can call a producer or casting director with a “push” for a
particular actor.
Agents/Managers

7. • Performs brilliantly and often!
• Networks w/ producers, directors, & casting directors
• Looks for auditions. See “Finding the Audition” tools
• Lobbies contacts to get auditions
• Auditions brilliantly & often
• Sends out marketing materials to let producers, etc., know what they
are performing in. Updates website and materials.
• Takes classes to hone craft
• Sees new plays and films to know what is current and trending.
• Cannot get you an audition, but might be a name drop
• Cannot Cast You
Actor

8. • Typically 10-6pm M-F*
• Monitor supervises auditioners, cancellations, sides and callbacks
• Prepared Acting/Singing Auditions with Sides
– Actors receive sides in advance from agent, showfax.com, other source.
– Actors audition in typical 5-10 minute slots with a reader. About 50 actors a day
– In the room: director, producer, music director, reader
– See “Auditioning Brilliantly” for more information.
– May sing 16 bars of side from role or from book (bring book)
• Dance/Singing Calls
– Dancers audition in groups of 10-30, learn routine, do in small groups – cut
– Then Sing remaining – cut
– Possible sides reading, or reschedule for separate callback day
* Auditions can be anytime, but agents and casting directors prefer regular working hours
Audition

9. • Typically 10-6pm M-F
• Monitor supervises auditioners, cancellations & sides
• Callback Auditions with Sides
– Repeat sides, usually with new callback sides, longer or full cuts of
scenes and songs.
– Actors audition in 10-20 minute slots. See about 25 actors in a day.
– Auditions with reader and MAYBE with other actors for partner
roles.
– May be asked to go out and come back with additional sides or
roles.
Callbacks

10. • After Callbacks: producer and director decide 1st, 2nd, 3rd
offers for each role.
• Producer gives Negotiator list of 1st offers.
• Negotiator may be: Managing Dir, General Mgr, Production
Mgr, Artistic Dir, Company Mgr, etc.
• Negotiates salary, housing, transportation, billing, dogs,
vacations, etc., with agent (or with actor if no agent)
• Hires You!
Negotiator

11. • Negotiator makes offer to agent
• Agent relays offer to actor and decides negotiating
points (+10%, housing, pets, car, etc.)
• Agent negotiates with Negotiator
• Negotiator OK’s points with Producer
• Counter-offer, counter-offer, final offer
• Offer is accepted or declined
• Next offer is made till cast is complete
OFFER!
Negotiator Agent Actor

12. How Shows Get Cast
Producer
Director
Company
Mgr/Asst
Casting
Director
Agent
Actor
Audition
Callback
OFFER
!
Negotiator