Step 11. Contact auditioners for callbacks with precise information on when and where to show up for the callback. Be pleasant, brief and professional. Don't overpromise, and don't let yourself get roped into conversations about the performer's chances. Leave all your options open until the callbacks are over.
Step 12. Conduct your callbacks with the same organization and focus with which you held your initial auditions. For callbacks, try not to depend too much on cold readings -- instead, examine the actors' choices, their eyes, their movements. I'm personally somewhat leery of leaning too heavily on the cold reading performance -- there are many performers who are terrific cold readers, but who afterward never quite find the electricity beyond that initial take on the character.
That's not to say that good cold readers are bad performers! Simply that it's dangerous to judge a final performance from a cold reading. I've known many actors who were sensational actors, but just terrible at cold readings. For me when casting, it almost always comes down to that certain zing of energy. The right people just have a certain spark to them.
Step 13. Meet with your other casting associates for a last, quick once-over to make sure to make sure that whoever you're casting will meet the criteria. Can your Fagin dance? Is your Peter Pan afraid of heights? Can your Valjean lift a grown man and toss him over his shoulder? All important considerations.
Step 14. Contact the auditioners about the results. For those who didn't make the cut, give the bad news first, then the good -- for instance, let the actor know that while you went in a different direction when casting the role of the lead so-and-so, you think the actor did a great job, and would make a smashing (insert alternate character name here), if they're willing to take on that part.
For those who simply did not make the cut, be pleasant, regretful, and kind -- and get off the phone. Don't draw it out, just thank them for auditioning, and let them know that you hope they'll audition again for future productions.
Step 15. Post the final cast list on your door, website, or other appropriate location. Don't forget to do a press release!
