There is more episodic television in New York than ever before. As an actor, it’s important to be prepared, so how do you best prepare for your first guest star auditions?
When you started out, you learned to tuck your MFA into your back pocket and be your best self in five lines or less. You learned not to make the scene ‘all about you’ and serve the story simply. By now you’ve mastered the art of the co-star audition and have a few credits under your belt … but how do you navigate the next level? Guest star roles are pivotal to the narrative of the episode, but how does that change the audition process? What stays the same?
Join us for an in depth conversation with some of the busiest professionals in the episodic community. Topics include what to wear, preparing sides, what to expect in the room, callbacks, and beyond.
Panelists
Elizabeth Berra is a New York based Casting Associate with Marc Hirschfeld Casting. Hirschfeld’s office supervises casting for AMC and Starz Networks and is currently consulting on projects for eOne, BBC America and SundanceTV. Recent credits include the upcoming film The Leisure Seeker with Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland, Kevin Can Wait for CBS, Ash vs. Evil Dead and Black Sails for Starz. Past credits include Hannibal (NBC), The Shannara Chronicles (MTV), Marco Polo(Netflix).
Rebecca Dealy is a Casting Director and an Associate at Chrystie Street Casting. A proud Pittsburgh native, she started in the theatre at the age of six. Under the extraordinary eye and mentorship of Jessica Kelly, Dealy has been fortunate enough to work with some of the most celebrated directors working in film and television today. Television credits include: Civil (TNT), Person of Interest (CBS), Will (TNT, NY Casting), Madoff (ABC) and Believe (NBC). Film credits include As You Are (Special Jury Prize, Sundance), Joy (NY), The Book of Henry, The Wannabe, Slice, Pattie Cake$ and the upcoming Untitled Darren Aronofsky film (NY).
Judy Henderson has been honored by The Ross Reports as one of the top 20 US Film Casting Directors. Her highlights include an Emmy award for Outstanding Casting in a Drama Series; four Artios awards for Outstanding Achievement for a TV Series and Theatre Drama Casting and nine Artios nominations for TV Series and Theatre Drama Casting. Henderson’s film credits include Before Midnight, Paranormal 2, 12 and Holding, L.I.E. (six Independent Spirit Award Nominations), and Before Sunrise. Her television credits include Homeland (Emmy Award and two Artios Awards; Showtime). Broadway credits include Barefoot In The Park and Anna Karenina (four Tony Nominations). Off-Broadway credits include Invasion (Obie Award), Lie of The Mind (Artios Award), The Kid(five Drama Desk Nominations) and Hurlyburly (Artios Award). Henderson is a member of CSA and Local 817 of the Teamsters Theatrical Union.
Maegan Morris has been with Bloc NYC since 2010. She has clients in numerous Broadway shows including, Hamilton, Wicked, Aladdin, and Chicago as well as national tours including An American in Paris, The King and I, and Beautiful. Her clients also make regular appearances in episodics ranging from Madam Secretary and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to Gotham and Blue Bloods. Prior to Bloc, Maegan worked as a casting assistant at Telsey + Company.
Mark Saks, veteran casting director, is currently at work on Elementary and Madam Secretary. He recently completed a seven season run on The Good Wife for which he has received four Artios awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Series, Drama and a recent fifth Emmy nomination. Saks has received a total of 12 Artios nominations throughout his career. Other credits include BrainDead (CBS), Klondike (Discovery) and Coma (A&E). His other series include Person of Interest, Medium, NUMB3RS, Dirt, Related, Hack, Welcome to New York, The Drew Carey Show, The George Carlin Show and Knots Landing, to name a few. Earlier this year, he cast the second season of Mercy Street for PBS, as well as the new legal thriller Doubt for CBS. Over the past 25 years, Saks has held executive positions at Warner Bros Television, CBS Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television. His work in the theatre includes Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions, including nine years as the casting director for the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego under the direction of Jack O’Brien.
Julie Tucker of Tucker/Meyerson Casting has numerous film and theater credits and has cast dozens of series & pilots. She began her career in casting as an intern at the Joseph Papp Public Theater. Currently Tucker/Meyerson are casting: The Affair, Sleepy Hollow, The Expanse, Sneaky Pete and Taken. Tucker/Meyerson Casting consults for NBCUniversal covering all of the studio’s pilots in New York. Past projects include:White Collar, Damages, Nurse Jackie, Rescue Me, The Big C, Fringe, In Treatment, Army Wives, NYC 22, Made in Jersey, The Following, and The Americans. Tucker/Meyerson Casting is also responsible for the New York Casting for the pilots of: True Blood, Homeland and Dexter. Prior to starting Tucker/Meyerson Casting, Tucker cast Law and Order: SVU and did the New York casting for the pilots of Six Feet Under and Deadwood. Tucker has been honored with 2 Emmy Awards (Six Feet Under and Damages) and 5 Artios Awards (including Rescue Me & Homeland).
Amanda Prasow (Moderator) is an actress specializing in quirky, comedic characters. She splits her time between New York and Vancouver where she is repped by Kirk Talent/Integral Artists. 2016 screen credits include the undercover lead agent in the web series Tam’s World; snarky secretary in the dramedy pilot Steff & Jeff; and anxious assistant director in the comedy short Cancelled. Recent NYC theatre includes Target Margin, Articulate Theatre, and Rising Sun Performance Company. She can be found off-off Broadway in various staged readings, at an improv jam in a sticky basement, or onscreen in offbeat indie romcoms.
Headshots and resumes will be collected after the event.
Please note that panelists may be subject to change.
Producers Amanda Prasow and Destiny Lilly
Adorama Live Theatre at CBS RADIO New York
345 Hudson Street
(Between King and Charlton Streets)
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NYWIFT programs, screenings and events are supported, in part, by grants from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.