SYNOPSIS

This class will feature a Q&A with LA based Casting Director Matthew Barry, followed by a prepared reading session.

Participating actors will prepare and perform a scene that will be assigned by the casting director ahead of class. 

CASTING DIRECTOR BIO

Born in New York – Matthew was a successful actor, best known for starring in Bernardo Bertolucci’s film 'La Luna.' After many years of acting, he asked Academy Award winning Producer Mark Johnson for a production job and was guided to the casting department. 

Matthew has spent the last 30+ years as a casting director, working with Tim Burton on 'Ed Wood' and 'Mars Attacks,' Brett Ratner on 'Rush Hour 1 & 2,' and 'Family Man;' Nick Cassavetes on 'Unhook the Stars,' 'She’s So Lovely,' 'John Q,' 'The Notebook,' 'Alpha Dog,' 'My Sister’s Keeper,'  'The Other Woman;' 'Yellow,' 'God is a Bullet' and producer Jerry Bruckheimer on 'Crimson Tide' (Tony Scott) and 'Con Air' (Simon West).   

Matthew’s ability to spot and work with talent has allowed him to discover or advance the careers of many, including:  James Gandolfini, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Benico Del Torro ('Money For Nothing'), Ryan Phillipe, Steve Zahn, Danny Nucci and James LeSure ('Crimson Tide'), Don Cheadle ('Devil in a Blue Dress'), Dave Chappelle and Monica Potter ('Con Air'), Lucy Liu ('Shanghai Noon'), Dakota Fanning ('Tomcats'), Roselyn Sanchez ('Rush Hour 2') Rachel McAdams ('The Notebook'), Katt Williams, Terry Crews, ('Friday After Next'), and Anton Yelchin, Ben Foster, Olivia Wilde, Amanda Seyfried, Amber Heard ('Alpha Dog') just to name a few!