Casting Actors Cast

Some people can’t even commit to a gym membership for four weeks — and you and I have been meeting here since 2020. Through lockdowns, through self-tape explosions, through new technology disrupting our industry faster than we can say “AI voice clone,” we have been learning together, laughing together, and building the kind of creative courage that keeps actors moving forward. So today isn’t about...

Self-tapes are where careers happen today. They’re the front door of the business. And like any front door — there’s a welcome mat… and there are also banana peels hidden right under the surface waiting to trip you up. Today, we are shining a big bright spotlight on The Self-Tape Trap. Those choices actors make with good intentions — really good intentions — that accidentally sabotage the performa...

We’re talking about overthinking. That mental spiral where suddenly your brain is narrating your audition like it’s doing play-by-play commentary during the Super Bowl. “Here comes the second line — careful, careful — don’t mess this up — oof, eyebrow twitch — bad eyebrow! Reset! Reset!” Overthinking is the enemy of presence. The enemy of impulse. The enemy of surprise. It’s like having a backseat...

Hey my amazing, wonderful actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast — where you and I get to hang out, learn a little, laugh a little, and uncover the real tools that help you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeff Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, actor, and your industry friend who is in your corner, rooting for you every step of the way. Today’s episode is...

Have you ever walked into an audition and thought, “Okay… I’m confident. I’m confident. I’m confident,” while your body is screaming, “We’re absolutely not confident!” Meanwhile, casting directors are looking at you like, “Are they… are they okay?” Confidence is one of those weird acting ingredients you can’t fake, can’t force, but absolutely need— even though most actors have no idea what real co...

You ever notice that actors can make anything stressful? Audition? Stressful. Callback? Stressful. Self-tape? Stressful. Meeting someone who might know someone in the industry? Oh, that’s a full-blown cardio event. Actors are the only people who can turn reading two pages of dialogue in their own living room into a scene from “Mission Impossible.” Meanwhile, your acting career just left you a voic...

Today’s episode is part pep-talk, part reality check, and part comedic intervention. Actors obsess over getting it right — especially on self-tapes. You know this. You’ve lived this. But here’s the kicker: Casting directors aren’t looking for perfect. We’re looking for alive. So today, we’re going to shatter the myth of the perfect take, unpack how perfectionism sabotages your work, and give you a...

First Impressions in a Digital World When your self-tape hits my inbox, it’s your first — and sometimes only — chance to make an impression. Before I even hit play, I’ve already learned something about you from your file name, your slate, your frame, your lighting. That’s right — your tape speaks volumes before you do. Find out how in this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast, where we turn good intentions into great auditions. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and today, your guide through one of my favorite acting truths: stop trying to be good. Be specific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Do Casting Directors REALLY Remember about You  “Hey there, actor friends! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that helps you prepare smarter, act better, and book more. I’m your host, Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your friendly guide through the wonderful, weird, and sometimes wobbly world of show business.” “Today’s episode is one I think you’ll really appr...

Okay, let’s be honest. We’ve all seen those New Year posts from actors that sound something like —“This is my year! Manifesting series regular energy!”Or “Big bookings only in 2025!” And listen — I love the optimism. But sometimes, our acting goals start to sound… a little cringe. Why? Because they’re about results— not process. In today’s episode, we’re going to fix that. We’ll talk about how to...

You know that moment in an audition when your scene partner says their line… and you feel pressure to do something? You nod. You blink. You shift your face. You give a tiny “actor reaction” — because silence feels dangerous. Here’s a little secret: sometimes, the best reaction… is no reaction at all. Today, we’re going to uncover one of the most overlooked audition skills — the ability to listen w...

You finally get the message: “We’d love to offer you the part. Congratulations!” And you freeze. Do you take it? Do you need to ask your agent? Do you even want it? Here’s the thing — actors are told from day one, “Say yes to everything.” But what if saying yes too quickly is the one thing that keeps you from leveling up? Today, we’re diving into a topic every actor wrestles with: Should you take...

Every actor knows the sting of being “so close” to booking a role. You nailed the audition, maybe even got a callback, but in the end, the role went to someone else. Over time, those near-misses can feel like rejection after rejection, and the self-defeating thoughts start creeping in: “I’ll never make it… I must be doing something wrong.” But here’s the truth: being almost there is not failure—it...

Ever wonder what it’s really like when your acting career starts to take off? We tend to imagine red carpets, magazine covers, and endless applause—but there’s so much happening behind the curtain that nobody talks about. Today on Casting Actors Cast, I’m pulling back the velvet rope to reveal the hidden machinery that keeps your favorite actors’ careers running. From publicists and personal assis...

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“Not every audition comes with sparkling dialogue. But casting isn’t just about the script—it’s about you. So how do you shine, even when the writing is clunky? Let’s break it down.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Directors want it, casting directors expect it—you need to access emotion instantly. But how do you do it without faking, forcing, or frying yourself emotionally? Let’s break it down.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Sometimes the most powerful acting happens when you’re not speaking at all. Silent moments can make or break your performance, and today we’re going to explore how to master them.” castingactorscast.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast for actors who want to sharpen their audition skills, book more roles, and understand the industry from the inside out. Today we’re diving into a genre that’s deceptively challenging, yet absolutely essential for so many working actors: Romantic Comedies and Hallmark-style films. These projects have their own flavor—light, charming, heartfelt, and o...

"Welcome, friends and fearless performers, to another episode of Casting Actors Cast, the show that pulls back the curtain on the craft, the mindset, and the career path of working actors. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your personal acting GPS. Today’s episode is all about Film Script Preparation — a subject that sounds deceptively simple but can make or break your auditio...

Welcome to Casting Actors Cast — the podcast that gives actors the tools, tactics, and mindset shifts they need to work smart and book more. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, your host — casting director, author, and coach. Today’s episode flips the script in a really fun and useful way. We’re calling it: Act Like an Agent. That’s right — we’re going to look at your acting career from the perspective of the...

Welcome to another episode of Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that lifts the curtain on audition success, career mindset, and the real-world tools actors need to thrive. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach — casting director, teacher, and your host. Today we’re diving into something that can feel a little out there for some… and absolutely essential for others: Manifesting a Success Model for Your Acting Caree...

“A casting director can tell more about you in the first five seconds of your self-tape than most actors realize—and it's not just about performance. Today on Casting Actors Cast, we’re digging into what your self-tape setup is really saying about you. Is it shouting ‘I’m ready,’ or whispering ‘I’m not serious’? Let's find out—and fix it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

“Ever feel an audition slipping through your fingers—but you're still in the room? Don’t panic—today on Casting Actors Cast, I’m giving you the tools to reset in real time. It’s not about perfection—it’s about recovery. This episode is your one-minute audition rescue kit… and it starts right now.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices