Casting Director/Artistic Producer

Washington Drama Society Inc • Washington, DC

4d

About The Position

Arena Stage seeks a Casting Director/Artistic Producer to lead casting for its mainstage productions, readings, workshops, and special artistic projects, while supporting the development and execution of its artistic programming. The role also serves as deputy to the Associate Artistic Director and as a secondary producer for Arena productions, readings, and workshops, contributing to season planning and the day-to-day producing process.

The position owns the casting process and works closely with artistic leadership, directors, playwrights, creative teams, and departments including Community Engagement, Development, Finance, General Management, and Production. The role combines artistic judgment and relationship-building with administrative coordination, budgeting, scheduling, and support for artists and new work development.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of casting, artistic producing, new work development, and theatrical union agreements, including Actors’ Equity Association and LORT contracts.
• Artistic instincts and ability to collaborate with directors, playwrights, and artistic leadership to realize creative visions.
• Experience managing casting budgets, coordinating auditions, and overseeing complex artistic schedules and processes.
• Excellent organizational skills, clear communication, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to build relationships and maintain meaningful connections with actors, agents, managers, casting professionals, and creative teams locally and nationally.
• Ability to balance artistic ambitions with institutional resources and respond to the evolving needs of artists and productions.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by production and institutional needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and manage casting for mainstage productions, developmental workshops, readings, and special artistic projects throughout the season.
• Collaborate with artistic leadership, directors, playwrights, and creative teams to identify artists who support each production’s artistic vision and needs.
• Oversee auditions, callbacks, work sessions, and self-tape submissions, including scheduling, communication, materials, and coordination with creative teams.
• Develop character breakdowns, audition sides, and casting materials with directors and playwrights.
• Maintain relationships with talent agencies, managers, casting offices, and independent artists.
• Advocate for inclusive and accessible casting practices that reflect the communities and stories represented onstage.
• Coordinate artist onboarding, travel, housing, and scheduling with general management, company management, and other departments.
• Support artistic producing for mainstage productions, developmental workshops, readings, and other artistic initiatives.
• Collaborate with playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, and artistic leadership to identify the developmental needs and priorities of new theatrical work.
• Participate in season planning, providing insight into casting feasibility, artist availability, creative team needs, and production logistics.
• Serve as an artistic resource to directors and playwrights during rehearsals and the development process.
• Support special artistic projects, institutional partnerships, and programming initiatives as needed.
• Develop, track, and manage casting-related budgets for productions, workshops, and special projects.
• Monitor artist compensation, casting expenses, and associated costs in collaboration with artistic leadership and general management.
• Coordinate audition spaces, personnel, readers, accompanists, and other resources required for casting activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed