Casting directors are often seen as gatekeepers to opportunities in the industry - but does the multi-hyphenate approach help them? The answer is yes.

We’ve all had audition horror stories - and whether or not it’s the casting directors fault our own, it’s never too late to live and learn. And as always, knowing yourself as a multi-hyphenate often is the answer to avoid those icky situations.

Join one of New York’s leading casting directors Stephanie Klapper as she breaks down and opens up about the casting director process. Though casting directors seem like distant people sitting behind tables, we have to remember they are human beings in search of connection, just as the actor is.

So - when should an artist show up for their call of duty? What type of resume should you send? Do you want to see the chemical makeup of the multi-hyphenate artist or do you want to see that I once was in the ensemble of Cabaret? How can an actor make an experience better for the casting director? What purpose does the headshot serve in 2021? All these questions, and many more, are answered in this amazing episode.

The multi-hyphenate is extremely useful to the casting director, because as Stephanie states, “Sometimes we don’t even know what we’re looking for!” The rules of auditioning changes daily - especially after experiencing a shut down like the industry has, which obviously will affect the future audition protocol. “It’s a great time to get to know people,” Stephanie says, “in a way that when we’re all running too quickly - we don’t get to.”

Actors aren’t the only ones pivoting in the pandemic - you guessed it, casting directors are as well. As well as getting inspiring tips on how to apply agency to your auditions, get a behind the table look as to what a casting director is experiencing during this time away from normalcy.

This episode also features a questions from a listener in the segment YOU GOT A QUESTION? where Michael answers a question sent to him through social media. This week's question, sent in from Erika E. and focsuses on collaboration. How do we find collaborators?

Stephanie Klapper is a New York based Casting Director who has been in the business for 25 plus years.

Her work is frequently seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, internationally, on television, and film. Projects she has cast have won numerous awards including the Tony, OBIES, Drama Desk, Pulitzer Prize, Sundance Audience Award, Cannes Prize Du Publique, Comic Con and Artios.

Stephanie, along with her incredible casting team, comprise Stephanie Klapper Casting, an Independent Casting Group who is known for their limitless imagination and creativity and for their work on a wide range of projects all over the country and the world. Frequent and longtime collaborators include Primary Stages, Mint Theater Company, NY Classical Theatre, american vicarious, The Peccadillo, Voyage Theatre, Masterworks, Resonance Ensemble, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company, Capital Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Ford’s Theatre, Kansas City Rep, The New Theatre, The Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as many more in New York, the regions, and internationally.

Ms. Klapper is passionate about working with creative teams to develop new work and expand the scope of established work. In addition to casting and teaching, Ms. Klapper is a member of the New York Board of the Casting Society of America, Casting Society Cares, and New York Women in Film. She is passionate about continuing to expand and champion diversity, equity, equality and inclusion in the business. She loves working with emerging artists to help them develop their careers.

Connect with Michael:

• @themichaelkushner (IG and TikTok)
• @dearmultihyphenate (IG)
• www.michaelkushneronline.com

Produced by Alan Seales and the Broadway Podcast Network.