Join us for a panel of New York theater Casting Directors Erica A. Hart, David Caparelliotis, Pat McCorkle and Rachel Hoffman. These casting directors will discuss their process in casting, how they work the actor, producers, directors and creatives teams when bringing a character to the stage and share insight on audition tips. 

Erica A. Hart, CSA: Studied film and television at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She started at ABC Primetime Casting and then moved to independent casting. Broadway: CHICKEN & BISCUITS, PASS OVER, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Off Broadway: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF (NYTW), SATURDAY CHURCH (NYTW), SCARLETT DREAMS (MIDNIGHT THEATRICALS), CHIAROSCURO (NBT/FLEA). Touring: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING. Regional: EL COQUI (LONG WHARF THEATRE) and GEM OF THE OCEAN (LONG WHARF THEATRE). TV/Streaming: BLACK MIRROR, A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE, JODIE, BUST DOWN, THE GIRLS ON THE BUS, THE EQUALIZER, LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER, and SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST. Film (Selected): FUCKTOYS (SXSW), WE STRANGERS (SXSW), VEO VEO A FAMILY (TRIBECA), THE SURROGATE (SXSW), LAPSIS (SXSW), CUPIDS (TRIBECA), and NATIVES (SXSW). Music Videos: FIGHT FOR YOU (H.E.R) and GET SOME (GHOSTED - PREMIERED AT SXSW). Commercials (Selected): GEICO, ESSIE, QUAKER OATS, L'OREAL, CREST, GILLETTE. In 2025, Erica was named a Woman to Watch on Broadway. Erica is an Artios award winner, a member of the Black Theatre United's New Guard, a Board Member of the Casting Society, a member of the TV Academy, and an educator at different universities and colleges.

David Caparellioti: Select Broadway/ Off Broadway theatre: Punch, Good Night and Good Luck, Mary Jane, Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Eureka Day, Eurydice with Maya Hawke, Grangeville, Skeleton Crew, Ohio State Murders, Cost of Living, Macbeth, The Minutes, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, King Lear, The Waverly Gallery, The Boys in the Band, A Doll’s House, Part 2, Jitney, The Glass Menagerie. Theatres includes: MTC, Signature (NYC), Atlantic, The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Berkeley Rep. Donmar Warehouse (consulting US casting director). TV/Film: HIGH TIDE (indie film), “New Amsterdam” (NBC, series casting), "Boys in the Band" (Netflix, Original Casting).

Pat McCorkle: With strong roots in theater and directing, a flair for the unexpected, and tireless perseverance, Pat McCorkle, founder and president of McCorkle Casting Ltd., is well known as one of the top casting directors in New York. Pat's influence in theater, film, and television brought the company to the top of the profession. Pat was instrumental in casting original programming for Showtime, Comedy Central, and multiple independent features and blockbuster box office successes with major studios and production companies. Pat and McCorkle Casting have worked with some of the best directors and biggest stars in the entertainment business and have cast a long list of unknown young actors who have gone on to become household name.

Rachel Hoffman: has worked in casting since 1999. Current and past Broadway/Tours she has cast include MJ the Musical, Beetlejuice, Elf, Frozen, Come From Away, Suffs (tour), Diana, Escape to Margaritaville, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, An American In Paris, The Sound of Music, Memphis, Bring It On, Hands On A Hardbody, First Date, Rock of Ages, Spider-Man, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Regional/Off-Broadway productions include: Titanique (Off-Broadway), The Bedwetter (Atlantic), Titanic (New York City Center Encores!), Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre), Love In Hate Nation (Two River Theatre), Found (Atlantic), Brigadoon, The Music Man, and The Jungle Book (Goodman Theatre), Guys & Dolls and Candide (Carnegie Hall), Bat Boy (Off-Broadway), Altar Boyz, and Godspell (2000 Revival), The Muny. TV/Film: A Christmas Story: Live, Olga Dies Dreaming, and numerous commercials. She’s an adjunct faculty member at Ball State University, Co-Director of the MPulse Musical Theatre Program at the University of Michigan, and serves as the Director of Opportunity and Engagement for the Broadway Dreams Foundation. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan.