CASTING

‘When in doubt cast an actor.’ (Wal Cherry)

‘The biggest mistake in casting is that parts

are allotted wrongly and thoughtlessly. As if all
cooks were fat and all statesmen stately. As if all
who love and are loved were beautiful. As if all
good speakers had a fine voice… It’s pure folly
to allot parts according to physical
characteristics.’
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‘Can one go by temperament? One can’t. That
again would be taking the easy way out. The
actor must cultivate all varieties of temperament
for characters only come to life by means of
their own contradictions. It is most dangerous to
cast a major part on the strength of a single
characteristic.’
Bertold Brecht
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You must know as many actors as possible and their
range of abilities and appropriateness for various roles.
You must see them often on screen and stage.
You must know the details of how actors approach the
role in order enhance your ability to communicate and
diagnose. You do not have to be able to act yourself, but
you must have expert knowledge about the creation and
development of the role. You must acknowledge that
different actors have different approaches. They do and
you need to be flexible.
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But there is a common approach which works
excellently: directing through objectives and actions
which all actors can easily grasp.

At the audition stage, several scenes should be

chosen and given to the actor well in advance of the
test. The scenes you choose should cover a range of
character responses, should give you the opportunity to
explore enough about the actors ability in a particular
role.
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Direct the audition and make changes to check the
actors flexibility and imagination.

Always have an actor to read with the one being

auditioned. Try to avoid using a non-actor to read for the
auditionee – usually the auditionee will not be able to do
their best.

Make allowances for the fact that the auditionee will

probably be nervous. Settle them down and make
contact.
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Let them do it their way before you start directing.

Remember that you will live with the consequences of

your casting for the rest of your life, so do it seriously
and thoroughly.
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Investigate the actors:

•  Intuitive Equipment: Actors ability to listen, to work

moment by moment, to be honest and give himself
freedom and privacy in public.

•  Acting Skills: ability to play a simple intention, to play

against an obvious reading of a line and to be specific
and insightful in their choices.
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Investigate the actors:

•  Physical Ability: range, flexibility, expressivity and skills

in voice and movement.

•  Artistic sensibility: taste, instincts and sense of humor.

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Investigate the actors:

•  Whether he or she is right for the part.

•  Do they have what it takes to play the role; can they
connect with the characters spine; comprehend and
connect to the characters experience.
•  Whether you can work well together.
•  Casting the relationships as well as the roles.
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•  Do they have ideas?
•  Are they willing to take risks?
•  Did they bring something to the part in their
interpretation.
•  Do they really seem to talking about something or just
saying a line.

•  The best way to encourage an actor is to be frank and

open – put energy out.
•  Think about the possibilities of casting against type.