Casting Confidential

Here's one of the hardest things to sit with as an actor: you gave a great audition — and you still didn't get the callback. So what actually happened?In this Roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen , CSA is joined by casting directors Robin Carus, CSA, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA, and Kimberly Skyrme, CSA for an honest, insider conversation about why callbacks don't always follow excellent work — and why that's not the same thing as failing.The panel pulls back the curtain on all the variables actors never see: physical matching, chemistry reads, creative politics, last-minute budget shifts, a director's personal history, and sometimes just the plain, unfair randomness of timing.They also get into why "booking the room" is a real career strategy, how casting directors remember and return to actors they love, what a post-audition thank-you note should (and shouldn't) include, and why the number of times a casting director calls you in is the real measure of your progress — not whether you booked the job.This one is practical, honest, and genuinely supportive. If you've ever been frustrated by silence after what felt like your best work, this episode is for you.SPONSORRafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Robin Carus, CSA@robincarusCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinKimberly Skyrme, CSA@kimberlyskyrmeEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually look like from the director's chair? In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by casting director Robin Carus and legendary director Sheldon Epps — whose credits span Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Girlfriends, and two decades as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse — for a candid, insider conversation about how television and theater really function.Sheldon breaks down the difference between stepping onto a long-running hit versus shaping a show from the ground up, how much say directors actually have in casting, and what separates an actor who books from one who doesn't. The panel also tackles the pressure of hit-making in not-for-profit theater, the chemistry factor in casting, and why the best auditions feel like collaboration rather than combat.The episode closes with a live cold read and real-time feedback session with actor Jill Adler — a rare, practical look at how direction can transform a performance in real time.Whether you're an actor, a director, or someone trying to understand how decisions are made on both sides of the table, this one is full of honest insight from people who have sat in every room.SPONSOR:RAFY APP: https://rafy.app/ | Code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREON Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN PATREON HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Sheldon EppsRobin CarusEditorMZ Studios:https://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeats:https://instagram.com/ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthat:https://instagram.com/aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialJoin Our Community on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by three casting directors for one of the most candid conversations the show has ever hosted. Kimberly Skyrme, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, and Robin Carus pull back the curtain on what actually happens after actors leave the room — what casting directors say to directors and producers, how reputations are built or quietly damaged, and why your behavior from the parking lot to the audition monitor matters just as much as your performance.The conversation covers the way casting directors advocate for actors up the chain, how prior history with a performer shapes a current submission, and what it really means when a casting director isn't effusive. The guests also dig into the importance of professionalism on set, the ongoing communication breakdowns between casting and production, and why this industry is far less of a totem pole than most actors think — and far more of a cycle where everyone depends on everyone else.Honest, practical, and packed with insider perspective, this episode is essential listening for any actor who wants to understand the long game.SPONSOR: RAFY APP Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON:JOIN HEREJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHOST, CREATOR & PRODUCER:Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:Kimberly Skyrme, CSACheryl Louden-KubinRobin CarusEDITORMZ StudiosORIGINAL MUSICOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsARTWORKAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rose Rosen heads to the Chesapeake Film Festival for a conversation that's part masterclass, part reunion, and entirely worth your time. Joining her are actor and television icon John O'Hurley — best known as the unforgettable J. Peterman on Seinfeld and beloved host of Family Feud and Dancing with the Stars — and East Coast casting director and producer Kimberly Skyrme, the creative force behind countless regional and independent projects.John opens up about the cancellation that almost kept him from Seinfeld, the paralyzing stage fright he battled early in his career, and the single decision on opening night that changed his relationship with performing forever. He shares the philosophy he still carries every time he walks on stage — and what it actually means to own a room before you say a word.Kimberly talks about finding John at this same festival nearly a decade ago, why she consistently casts against type, and what she believes separates great casting from the kind that keeps actors in a box. Their ongoing creative partnership is a quiet testament to what happens when trust and collaboration show up on both sides of the table.The audience gets in on it too. Questions about voice acting, union cards, animation technique, and the value of studying your craft draw out some of the most candid moments in the conversation. And the episode closes with a live cold read — a local Chesapeake actor stepping up to do scene work with John in real time, with on-the-spot feedback from Rose and Kimberly.If you've ever wondered what it looks like when preparation meets opportunity, this one's for you.SPONSORRAFY APPRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.Filmed Live at the Chesapeake Film Festivalhttps://www.instagram.com/chesapeakefilmfest/CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingCo Host:Kimberly Skyrme, CSAhttps://www.instagram.com/kimberlyskyrme/GUESTS:John O'HurleyFeedback Actor:Irene MagafanSpecial thanks:The Chesapeake Film Festivalhttps://www.instagram.com/chesapeakefilmfest/Robert Morris Innhttps://www.instagram.com/therobertmorrisinn/Editor:MZ StudiosOriginal Music:Orville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtwork:Ace Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Casting is now formally recognized by both the Academy Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards. On Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen sits down with actors shaping today’s film and television landscape, award-recognized casting directors, and industry leaders to break down how casting actually works, who gets in the room, how decisions are made, and what moves careers forward. No mythology, no guesswork—just honest conversations about the process.In this episode, Rose is joined by casting directors Cheryl Louden-Kubin, Kimberly Skyrme, and Robin Carus for a candid conversation about what casting professionals actually watch in self-tapes.Actors often speculate about whether casting directors watch their full audition, how important the first few seconds are, and whether small details matter. The truth is more nuanced. The panel breaks down what they really notice when reviewing self-tapes and why the details actors sometimes overlook—like following instructions, labeling files correctly, and reacting truthfully—can make a major difference.They discuss the purpose behind audition sides, why casting often selects shorter scenes for first rounds, and why reacting and listening are just as important as speaking. The conversation also explores subtle moments that reveal craft, including the moment before a line begins, the moment after a scene ends, and the clear distinction between the actor and the character.If you’ve ever wondered what casting directors truly see when they watch your tape, this episode offers rare, unfiltered insight from the people reviewing them every day.Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HERECREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:Kimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyskyrmeCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinRobin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robincarusEditorMZ [email protected] MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS@castingconfidentialPatreonJOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:JOIN HERE**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Rose Rosen sits down with Amy Landecker to break down how she booked Transparent, why saying “no” can shift power in the audition room, and what actors consistently misunderstand about casting.Amy built her career the long way — theater, guest stars, recurring roles, breakout moments, and years inside audition rooms. Now, after writing, directing, producing, and starring in her feature debut For Worse, she shares the evolution that changed everything.🎧 Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy — the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSAFollow Rose on Instagram: @roserosencastingGuestAmy LandeckerInstagram: @amylandeckerEditorMZ Studiosmzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville WrightInstagram: @ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce AndersonInstagram: @aceshotthatFollow the ShowInstagram: @castingconfidentialPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidentialOpinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with legendary casting director Nina Gold for a deeply honest and timely conversation about craft, instinct, collaboration—and the historic moment casting is finally recognized by the Academy Awards.From shaping global phenomena like Game of Thrones and The Crown to her breathtaking work on Hamnet, Nina’s casting has defined tone, launched careers, and built entire worlds. And now, as the first-ever Academy Award for Casting approaches, she reflects on what this milestone truly means for the profession.Nina speaks candidly about collaboration with directors, the power of saying no, and how casting is a balance of research, intuition, and conviction.“It’s not like last year we weren’t trying really hard to do a really good job. We’re just going to keep trying to make good work—Oscar or no Oscar.”This is a conversation between two casting directors about responsibility, visibility, and what this moment means for everyone who has done this work—often without recognition—for generations.If you’re an actor, filmmaker, or someone who still thinks casting is just a list of names, this episode is for you.Sponsor:Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy — the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.Visit https://rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry:https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidentialFor more episodes and resources, visit:https://castingconfidential.comHosted by Rose Rosen.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSAhttps://instagram.com/roserosencastingGuestNina GoldEditorMZ Studioshttps://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wrighthttps://instagram.com/ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Andersonhttps://instagram.com/aceshotthatFollow the show and join our community:https://instagram.com/castingconfidentialhttps://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential** Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year marks a historic shift in the entertainment industry. For the first time, casting is being formally recognized at major awards including the Academy Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards.On this episode of Casting Confidential: The Round Table, we break down what that recognition actually means — and what it doesn’t. After 35 years of advocacy, casting directors are finally being acknowledged above the line. But why was the craft overlooked for so long? And why does it still so rarely get mentioned in speeches, press coverage, or theatrical award shows like the Tony Awards?The conversation dives into:Why directors often get credit for “finding” talentHow casting’s work begins long before cameras rollWhy the craft is essential yet often invisibleThe difference between creative collaboration and final decision-makingAnd how real industry recognition could shift moving forwardWe also reference the documentary Casting By, which chronicled the long road toward acknowledgment for casting professionals.If you’re serious about understanding how casting actually works, this one pulls back the curtain.Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process.Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visitcastingconfidential.com.SPONSORS:RAFY APPhttps://rafy.app/Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:JOIN HERECREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingROUNDTABLE PANELISTS:Kimberly Skyrme, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kimberlyskyrmeCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubin Robin Carus, CSA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robincarusEditorMZ Studioshttps://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidential@roserosencastingJoin our Patreon here!** Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen and guest co host, acclaimed casting director Shayna Markowitz sit down with legendary actor Christine Ebersole for an honest, deeply insightful conversation about craft, longevity, and what really happens behind the casting process.Christine shares stories from her extraordinary career spanning Broadway, film, television, and cabaret. From Saturday Night Live and Tootsie to Amadeus, War Paint, and her latest film Is This Thing On, directed by Bradley Cooper. She opens up about navigating auditions at every stage of life, trusting instinct over industry noise, and why perseverance matters more than timing.Shayna offers a rare look at casting from the other side of the table, including how actors with long-established careers are cast, how Zoom auditions have changed access and connection, and why casting directors are always rooting for actors to succeed. The conversation also touches on the long-overdue recognition of casting as an Academy Award category and what that means for the future of the profession.This is a must-listen for actors seeking clarity, confidence, and truth about how careers are actually built—without mythology, without guesswork.Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. patreon.com/castingconfidentialFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com. Hosted by Rose Rosen.SPONSORS:RAFY APPhttps://rafy.app/Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15JOIN THE CASTING CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ON PATREON HERE:JOIN HERECREDITS: Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingCO HOSTShayna MarkowitzGUESTS:Christine Ebersolechristine.ebersoleofficialEditorMZ Studiosmzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville WrightohyeahbeatsArtworkAce AndersonaceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.