#39 - Stephanie Klapper: Multi-Hyphenates & The Casting Director

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
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