Refine your audition skills with insights from three top casting directors across essential screen genres: television drama, TV comedy, and independent film. Each session is thoughtfully designed to elevate your performance, transforming every role—big or small—into a lasting asset for career growth. This is more than a learning experience; it’s a pivotal step forward, aligning your journey with your highest aspirations. Don’t just gather credits—craft a remarkable career path that defines your unique place in acting.
Course Descriptions
The Session with Mark Teschner, CSA, “The Art of Impactful Auditions”
Mark Teschner’s course offers an in-depth, hands-on approach to character preparation and audition skills. The goal is to help each actor make strong choices in their work, creating impactful auditions. Whether auditioning for contract roles, recurring roles, or day players – the goal is to empower each actor to bring their uniqueness and authenticity to the work. Mark will guide students through script and character analysis, helping them uncover key elements that help shape memorable performances. Participants will work on understanding character motivations and making solid, dynamic choices that stand out in auditions. Through hands-on scene work, students will learn to deliver nuanced, grounded performances that capture the attention of casting directors, directors, and producers. Mark will also offer insights into the unique challenges and expectations of casting – ensuring that each student leaves with practical tools to excel as an actor with a better understanding of the casting process.
The Session with Paul Ruddy, CSA, “Auditioning for Independent Films”
In the “Auditioning for Independent Films” session, actors will perform dramatic scenes from actual film scripts, working closely with an experienced reader to bring each scene to life. After their initial performances, actors will receive personalized feedback on their choices, delivery, and emotional depth, gaining insights into the scene’s nuances and how to elevate their work.
Armed with this guidance, actors will reperform the scenes, making adjustments to enhance their portrayals and deepen their connections to the characters and stories. This hands-on process encourages bold, impactful choices and fosters adaptability, teaching actors to respond confidently to direction. By refining their approach and reconnecting with the material, participants will better understand the script and develop the skills needed to deliver compelling, authentic performances that shine in auditions and on set.
The Session with Howard Meltzer, CSA, “Finding Your Unique Comedic Voice”
Finding Your Unique Comedic Voice” is designed for actors to sharpen their TV comedy skills and build a distinctive comedic style. This session explores what sets TV comedy apart, focusing on pacing, style, and tone in multi-cams and single-cams.
With a focus on character development, actors will learn to highlight their unique strengths, creating memorable, relatable characters that stand out in auditions. Practical exercises will refine timing, delivery, and punchline execution, empowering actors to deliver humor naturally and confidently, from fast-paced dialogue to subtle comedic beats.
About Howard Meltzer
Howard Meltzer, a seasoned Los Angeles casting director since 2003 and originally from New York, began his career casting Broadway hits like Chicago, Grease, and Annie with Stuart Howard Associates. Known for his authenticity and humor, he excels at finding talent that brings writers’ visions to life across TV and theater.
In LA, Howard has cast pilots, animated series, and indie films for major networks like CBS, Disney, NBC, Netflix, and Warner Bros. He’s notably discovered young talent, casting Hannah Montana, Raven’s Home, and Disney Channel’s longest-running series, Bunk’d. A two-time Emmy nominee and three-time Artios Award winner, Howard has served as Vice President of the Casting Society of America and is currently a Governor of the Television Academy.
About Paul Ruddy:
Paul Ruddy, CSA: Paul has cast over 200 films and television series for Netflix, Tubi, Lifetime, Hallmark, Disney, Dreamworks, Syfy, Fox, and NBC/Universal, with A-List talent including Nicolas Cage, Harvey Keitel, Constance Wu, Rita Moreno, Vivica A. Fox and Jack Black. An Emmy-Winner for the Netflix series “Eastsiders,” Paul’s recent television credits include the AMC horror anthology series “Creepshow.” Other notable talents Paul has cast include Sydney Sweeney, Peter Bogdanovich, Justin Long, Mena Suvari, Fran Drescher, Harvey Guillen, Molly Ringwald, Ryan Kwanten, Lou Diamond Philips, Brandon Routh, Gena Rowlands, Cameron Monaghan, Chad Michael Murray, Jackie Weaver, Vinnie Jones, Steve Guttenberg, Patrick Swayze, Keith David, Kelly Hu, Tanner Buchanan, Darren Barnett, and Cole and Dylan Sprouse.
About Mark Teschner:
Mark Teschner, CSA, a native New Yorker, has been the Casting Director for ABC Daytime’s “General Hospital” since 1989. Renowned for his exceptional eye for talent, Rolling Stone calls him “an actor’s casting director,” and TV Guide praises his “unparalleled track record for finding top new talent.”
Teschner has won eleven Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Achievement in Casting” and eight additional nominations. He is also a seven-time recipient of the prestigious Artios Award from the Casting Society of America, with sixteen additional nominations.
Teschner has served as vice president of the Casting Society of America and as a Governor of the Television Academy. This year, he was inducted into the “Silver Circle” at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences.
DATE, TIME & LOCATION
Date: Saturday, March 1st, 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: Westside, Los Angeles, CA
Instructors: Casting Director Mark Teschner, Howard Meltzer, and Paul Ruddy
Tuition: $405.00
$405.00Add to cart