Top UK Theatre Casting Directors
I promised that I would return to the topic of casting directors again in my previous blog post on Film Casting Directors.
So, today’s blog lists the top casting directors working in the theatre in the United Kingdom. Once again, if you don’t know them, then it’s part of your education to know who these people are and where and for whom they operate.
David Grindrod
Grindrod is the undisputed King of Casting for Musical Theatre in the UK. If that’s the area that you want to work in, then he’s the guy you’ll have to meet. Here’s his website.
Laura Donnelly
Laura is currently the casting director for the National Theatre of Scotland. As such, you are unlikely to make it on stage with the NTS without her seeing you. Check out more about Laura here
Hannah Miller
Head of Casting at the Royal Shakespeare Company. If treading the boards tackling the Bard is your career goal, it’s Hannah’s desk your CV will have to land on. There’s a great article on casting at the RSC here. There’s also a marvellous interview with Hannah done by Spotlight for their graduate programme. You can listen to the podcast right here.
Matilda James
Matilda is the casting director at Shakespeare’s Globe. Just like Hannah, there’s a great interview on Spotlight and you can listen to the podcast with Matilda here.
Wendy Spon
Wendy is the Casting Director at the Royal National Theatre in London. You can read a great Q&A with her here.
Nadine Rennie
Nadine Rennie is the Casting Director for the Soho Theatre in London. Read a very practical conversation with Nadine here.
Jerry Knight-Smith
Jerry is Head of the Casting Department at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Watch a brief video with Jerry about auditioning.
Alastair Coomer
Alastair is head of casting at the Donmar Warehouse. If you have desires to act at the Donmar, first Alastair will have to test your mettle. More about Alastair Coomer here.
Jessica Ronane
Jessica is the Casting Director for the Old Vic Theatre. You can find out more about her here She cast the tremendous stage version of Billy Elliot.
There are obviously many more, but for the sake of beginning your education on top casting directors in the UK, then it’s worth getting to know these first. You’ve got to start somewhere and this is where to start.
Add this to the list of Casting Directors in Film, and you’re starting to know who’s who in the casting world in the UK.