A collection of articles about casting.
Broadway Casting Directors Discuss Their Work
BERNARD TELSEY Nowadays you have theater owners really demanding a name actor in a production because then it sounds like a sure bet as far as a rental. We have to remember that's not necessarily what's best for the production, or in the interest of that producer or director.
Star Pupils Offer Advice on Making It in the Arts
Lacamoire The pros of college are that you need experience being away from home, growing up and becoming an adult. But if you have what it takes and there is an amazing opportunity - let's say you get offered the national tour of "Wicked" - take it.
Casting 'Golden Boy' for Broadway
NINETEEN actors will take their bows when "Golden Boy," Lincoln Center Theater's revival of Clifford Odets's 1937 play, opens Thursday on Broadway at the Belasco Theater. A few, like the Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub of "Monk," will be familiar faces; many more will be recognizable in that "I know I know him" way that lets character actors both pay the bills and ride the subway in peace.
The Diversity of "Groundhog Day" and Why It's Everything We've Hoped For
Chris Peterson OnStage Founder & Editor-in-Chief A couple of weeks ago, while I was thoroughly enjoying the musical, Groundhog Day, a thought crept into my mind - just how diverse this cast was.
When Casting The Phantom of the Opera, It's All About the Voice | Playbill
When Casting Special Features The Phantom of the Opera, It's All About the Voice Casting director Tara Rubin shares insight on what makes the perfect match for Broadway's longest-running show. "The priority, in many ways, is the music because we can't make compromises on the score," explains casting director Tara Rubin, who has been working on The Phantom of the Opera since she was a casting associate with Johnson-Liff Associates.
Booking It! Casting Director Bernard Telsey on Audition Essentials | Playbill
News Booking It! Casting Director Bernard Telsey on Audition Essentials Playbill.com's new feature series Booking It asks leading industry members to share professional insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade for up-and-coming and established theatre artists. This week we speak with award-winning veteran casting director Bernard Telsey.
A Day in the Life of a Casting Director: Telsey + Company Take on New York's TV Scene
This article is part of our continuing series "Ask a Casting Director." It's a cold, overcast and horrifically early February morning when I arrive at Telsey + Company, a New York casting office: not the kind of weather that usually portends positive vibes and good luck mojo for the dozen or so actors already milling about the waiting room at 8:15 a.m.
CD Tara Rubin on What Makes a Successful Audition
New York-based casting director Tara Rubin talks to Backstage about her casting past, what makes a good session, and what you should do to become a CD. CSA member since... Shortly after the Magna Carta was signed, so 1215? Or maybe it was 1990.
Casting Director Bernard Telsey Shares Advice for Actors
Casting director Bernard Telsey has two pieces of advice for actors who are auditioning for him. "Be the most prepared you can possibly be...and know what you're auditioning for," Telsey told an intimate gathering on Monday night at an event hosted by the Drama League.
Tara Rubin on the Many Discoveries Made in the Casting Business
Here are the discoveries I've made in 25 years as a casting director: Train with the best. Fifteen years with Geoffrey Johnson and Vinnie Liff taught me the importance of detail, preparation, research, and good taste. Hey, Geoff! Cast a good office. My colleagues are the best and funniest.
Casting Director Bernard Telsey Interview About the Wiz
If you happened to be walking down West 43rd street in Manhattan this past Saturday, you may have noticed hundreds...
Booking It! Casting Director Tara Rubin On Auditioning for Long-Running Shows, First Impressions, Callback Pitfalls and More | Playbill
Booking It Booking It! Casting Director Tara Rubin On Auditioning for Long-Running Shows, First Impressions, Callback Pitfalls and More Playbill.com's new feature series Booking It asks leading industry members to share professional insights, need-to-know tips and essential tricks of the trade for up-and-coming and established theatre artists.
How To Audition for 'Book of Mormon'
"We are looking for every actor that walks in the room to be the answer for us," casting director Kate Boka says of the audition process. "I think people often see casting directors as the big scary judge behind the table.
Booking It! Casting Directors Duncan Stewart and Benton Whitley Talk Headshots, Audition Room Energy, Actor-Musicians and Social Media | Playbill
News Booking It! Casting Directors Duncan Stewart and Benton Whitley Talk Headshots, Audition Room Energy, Actor-Musicians and Social Media Duncan Stewart and Benton Whitley talk Pippin, On the Town, and Chicago. Stewart and Whitley are the owners and lead casting directors at Stewart/Whitley, which they founded together in May 2011.
How Casting Keeps 'Beautiful' From Becoming a Tribute Concert | Playbill
Interview How Casting Keeps 'Beautiful' From Becoming a Tribute Concert Casting director Stephen Kopel shares what it takes to play Carole King, The Temptations, and more in the Tony-winning musical. When auditioning for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical , about the life and career of the famed singer-songwriter, it helps to be able to play an instrument.
Sugarman seeks out "Jersey Boys" wherever they may be
Since 2006, Merri Sugarman has been responsible for casting every role in every production of "Jersey Boys." That's a lot of Frankie Vallis, Tommy DeVitos, Bob Gaudios and Nick Massis. You can see her handiwork when the musical returns to the Marcus Center this week.
How to Get Cast in an Off-Broadway Show
It was a full house at the Anne L. Bernstein Theater Sunday, Oct. 23, where the Off Broadway Alliance hosted a free seminar, Casting for Off-Broadway: From Development to Opening.
Audition Advice From an Industry Vet: Joanna Merlin
Audition Advice From an Industry Vet: Joanna Merlin Some people know Joanna Merlin as an actor. Others know her as a casting director, while still others think of her as a teacher. Joanna Merlin has played all three roles-and still plays the roles of actor and teacher.
Moving to NYC: The Industry Players You Need to Know
New York has its own language when it comes to who's relevant and, when you arrive on day one, you'll be expected to speak it fluently. Use this cheat sheet for the major press agencies and casting directors, as well as those on the up-and-up you need to know.
Making the band - 'School of Rock' kids act, sing, dance and play
Finding a triple-threat acting/singing/dancing kid to co-star in a Broadway musical? That's child's play for Claire Burke, a casting agent with the New York-based Tara Rubin Casting. For "School of Rock," Burke was further tasked with casting an entire middle-school band, composed of children who possess all those talents - and are bona fide musicians.
14 Casting Directors on How to Impress in the Audition Room
Actors work on their craft 24/7. They train with professionals, work on craft and technique, and prepare as thoroughly as possible before an audition. But when the big moment comes, what to do if sweaty palms and nerves make a guest appearance? How can actors wow casting directors in the audition room?
How to Get Cast on Broadway by Terrence McNally
"Anastasia" marks the arrival of a major new Broadway star. Having played Sophie in "Mamma Mia!" in 2012, Christy Altomare isn't exactly new to the New York stage, but she's never made an entrance as grand as her titular role in the new musical from "Ragtime" Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, and Lynn Ahrens.
Getting Candid About Inclusion With Some of Broadway's Most Powerful Players
In his office atop the New Amsterdam Theatre in August of last year, Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, sat down with Broadway casting directors Tara Rubin and Bernie Telsey to discuss inclusion on the stage and screen. The three then reconvened in 2017 to assess the improvements made in the last year.
Audition Advice From Your Favorite 2017 Tony Award Nominees
Tony-nominated actors know a thing or two about nailing theater auditions. Backstage asked some of this year's Broadway greats-from Mary Beth Peil to Denée Benton-for their best practical tips in the exclusive video below. "Imagine it's the only time you will ever get a chance to play that part," David Hyde Pierce of "Hello, Dolly!"
What's in Your Book?: The Lion King's Jelani Remy Reveals the Perfect Song to Sing for a Simba Audition | Playbill
What's in Your Book?: What's In Your Book? The Lion King 's Jelani Remy Reveals the Perfect Song to Sing for a Simba Audition The star of Disney's long-running smash sings through his audition repertoire.