How Are Casting Agents Involved With Auditions?

When choosing good voice talent, a casting agent plays an essential role in helping to find the best possible voices for each character. Whether it is a movie or television show, the people who play the roles of each character are truly what shape its success.

Auditions are held, and the casting agent assists the casting director in making cuts and deciding who will return for another round of auditions. The casting agent also assists with advertising the date, time, and location of auditions and helps with call-backs. Online auditioning is much like auditioning live in the sense that the person auditioning needs to have an understanding of the character they're attempting to play, and should be able to exhibit that through their voice.

Another way casting agents can find talent is to call certain actors or actresses the director might be interested in, and have them do a reading. This process makes it easier, since the casting agent and director are pre-choosing who they'd like for the role.

Agents to maintain professionalism at all times. Communicating with people who are auditioning in a professional manner is very important. Being organized is essential, since the casting agent needs to be able to maintain a database of names, contact numbers, and a way to monitor which voice talent are still in the running, and which are not.

The casting agent should put advertisements in local magazines, newspapers, and online that clearly state what the audition is for. This advertisement does not have to reach just local actors; it can also be on a national scale, so that people looking for voice over employment all over the country can participate. The casting-call should include any special requirements and let people know the correct date and time to show up for the audition.

The casting agent needs to keep track of a sign-in sheet and schedule in order to organize all of the talent that attend the audition. Providing water for people auditioning, as well as ensuring that everyone is comfortable is important, and it's up to the casting agent to help keep this area calm, organized, clean, and as comfortable as possible.

While the casting agent will not make the final decision, it is up to them to help the director to determine which candidates were potential call-backs and which were not. The agent can also advise the director and give their opinion, as long as the director respects their input.

When a decision has been made, the casting agent will call people back who need to return for another reading, or call the actors they have chosen to play the role. This type of position requires patience, professionalism, organization, and the ability to recognize good talent.


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Stephanie Ciccarelli is the Vice President of Marketing and co-founder of Voices.com, the voice over marketplace. Stephanie translates years of classical music training, theory and performance into practical applications within the voice over industry. Specializing in public relation and copy writing, her presence and persona embody the Voices.com brand, most notably through the Voices.com community.