Casting director workshops offer actors the opportunity to meet those people who can bring them in for auditions. Particularly in competitive markets like Los Angeles and New York, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door. At casting director workshops, you get to hear from a particular casting director, ask questions about his office, and then perform a scene for him. They are great places for actors to network, and hopefully will lead to future opportunities.
Instructions
1. Search for casting director workshops in your area. In large markets, you will have many options from which to choose. In smaller markets, you may only have one or two workshop facilities.
2. Read feedback on acting message boards regarding specific workshop services. Some places will be more expensive than others and the format may vary slightly from place to place. Read feedback from other actors and learn from their experiences. Major acting message boards are Back Stage and Showfax.
3. Contact casting director workshop companies regarding joining. Most places will require that actors audition to be accepted into their group. Once you have been accepted, you can then sign up for any workshops they offer.
4. Set up an audition time. You'll likely be given one to two scenes to perform with a scene partner or a reader. Often, one scene will be dramatic and one will be comedic, so the person auditioning you can get an idea of your acting range. You will be given 10 to 15 minutes to review the material and then be brought in to perform it. They set up the auditions like this because it mimics the format of casting director workshops. Generally, the casting director assigns scenes, you have a short period of time to work on the material, and you then perform for the casting director.
5. Bring your head shot and resume with you to the audition. The workshop company will likely want to keep a few copies of your materials on file. You will also need to bring a head shot and resume to every casting director workshop you attend.
6. Sign up for casting director workshops. Once you are a member of the group, you can then sign up for any casting director workshops you wish to attend. Sign-up procedures will vary from group to group. Many workshop facilities now feature online schedules where you can simply sign up for workshops from any computer. Other places email schedules out to members who can then call in or email back with the workshops they wish to attend.
7. Pay for the workshops you'll be attending. Most casting director workshops accept credit cards, checks and cash as methods of payment. You usually have to pay in full to reserve your place in the workshop. Ask about cancellation policies. Most will offer credit if you cancel within a specified period of time.
