Auditioning

A Backstage Guide

Sam Stevenson

$19.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Methuen Drama
29 May 2025

Performance art; Acting techniques

Series: National Theatre Backstage Guides

Auditions can often be the most feared aspect of being an actor and yet, as the author points out, casting directors are on the side of everyone who auditions for them. They want you to do well, feel confident about the audition and in turn give the director the confidence they need to choose you.

The insights and reassurances throughout this book provide a little-seen glimpse into the world of casting, helping you to understand how casting directors and directors view the process and what purpose the audition serves.

Casting director Sam Stevenson draws on her rich experience, from both her time as deputy head of casting at the National Theatre and her varied freelance career, to delve into the challenges and possibilities that you might face. She explores the intersecting, underlying principles of auditioning for stage and screen, whether you are meeting online, in-person or self-taping.

This book helps bridge the gap between you and the people who are making the decisions, to help it feel like a less scary process.

By: Sam Stevenson
Imprint: Methuen Drama
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 164mm, Width: 118mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 104g
ISBN: 9781350384972
ISBN 10: 1350384976
Series: National Theatre Backstage Guides
Pages: 144
Publication Date: 29 May 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Table of contents Introduction About the Author Who is This Book For? What is it About? Chapter 1. What is a Casting Director? Chapter 2. Writing to Casting Directors & Agents Chapter 3. The Audition – How to Prepare Chapter 4. The Audition – In the Room Chapter 5. After the Audition Chapter 6. Getting Started Chapter 7. Self-care Chapter 8. Getting into Casting Chapter 9. Glossary Chapter 10. Resources

Sam Stevenson is a freelance casting director working in theatre, television and film. Her diverse projects include productions for the BBC, Sky, Amazon, Warner Bros, National Theatre and RSC. For many years she worked in partnership with Gemma Hancock with whom she shares an Emmy nomination for their work on the BBC miniseries Emma.