How Does the Broadway Casting Process Work?

Want to be cast in a Broadway show? The most successful people are always the people who understand the entire process, not just their small role in it. So actors, it behooves you to understand how you fit into the puzzle of creating art, from how casting directors do their research to how they whittle down their options.

In that spirit, we spoke to casting director Benton Whitley (Stewart/Whitley Casting) about how he and partner Duncan Stewart tackle revivals and new work both, and how and why they eventually landed on Patina Miller for the “Pippin” revival and why they did open calls for upcoming Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.”

*Breakdown*

0:10 - What happens before the audition room
0:35 - Original Broadway show process is different
0:58 - The creative team and producers meet
1:30 - Which ways could the role go?
2:00 - The casting process begins
2:20 - Th best of each idea is selected
2:50 - Focusing in on specific actors
3:05 - General audition numbers

Go to Backstage Casting to view and apply to over 4,000 roles:

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*Broadway Audition Tips*
Broadway casting director Benton Whitley is definitely interested in what you have to say on social media, so is what you're saying something that an actor who gets cast should be saying?

[elliecarroll]

i’ve always wanted to be on broadway and i️ think i️ have what it takes because i’ve been taking ballet, singing, and acting classes ever since i️ was younger but i️ don’t have the money to go audition and travel☹️

[sydneym.]

Can you do a video on how the film casting process works? Possibly for movies? Love your channel!

[naicarmelleracine]

how do you prepare for your first time auditioning for broadway

[thenephilimforreal]

My goal is actually Broadway, soo how can I find any auditions out there?

[theatergeek]

Where do you find auditions for broadway? I can’t find any open casting calls

[JosephGrouse]

Good ideas touches your audition by yourself

[DrJones]

I would cast this casting director as one of the sleazy goons the hero beat the shit out of in the opening sequence.

[Charlie-uqlf]

I want to be so badly on Broadway I just don't like the thought of Auditioning I mean if you gave me the script I could go on stage and do it but the audition part scares me.

[maggielawson]

Hi I’m a junior high STudent and I want to be on broadway after college but I don’t dance so can I take classes when I’m older and learn to dance? Would that be better for my future career?I can’t take dance classes now but my acting and singing is great. Also is it less likely for altos to get spots in broadway productions?

[andrewm]

Hey, I'm auditioning for a tale of two cities. I'm a tenor, but I don't really know what to sing for an audition song... if yall could give some ideas that would be wonderful

[tinselbmerryweather]

How do I audition for a play and not have my wheelchair/disability be part of the deciding factor?

[JosephGrouse]

Talk to my agent cast restaurant I did you enter play apartment show

[JosephGrouse]

Theater auditions song lyrics process repair lyrics fo

[nickreyes]

That voice is like nails on a chalkboard.