castingdirector

A casting director is a professional responsible for identifying and selecting actors for roles in film, television, theatre, and related media. They work closely with the director, producers, writers, and sometimes theatre artistic directors to interpret a script and determine the character breakdowns. Typical duties include reading scripts, developing character descriptions, coordinating auditions, arranging callbacks and screen tests, and managing the overall audition process and casting budget. They maintain relationships with talent agencies, talent networks, and casting services, review audition tapes, and assemble casting lists. They may cast lead roles, supporting parts, or ensembles, depending on the production’s scale.

In film and television, casting directors often begin work in development and continue through pre-production, while in theatre they may participate in auditions and casting over a rehearsal period. They strive to balance creative vision with practical constraints such as schedules, budget, and union rules (for example SAG-AFTRA and Equity). They also consider diversity and representation in casting decisions. Some productions employ associate casting directors and casting assistants to help with outreach, scheduling, and administrative tasks.

Qualifications commonly include a background in theatre or film production, strong knowledge of acting and contemporary performers, and well-developed networking, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills. Familiarity with union contracts and industry testing processes is typical. The role and scope of a casting director can vary by project, region, and production type; in some cases, directors or producers share casting duties. In credits, the role is usually listed as “Casting Director.”