backstage-2012-11-29

Tr ae PaT To n / nBc
backstage.com
Check the Casting section for full details on the notices below, or visit casting.backstage.com
Take NoTice |
By sean J. Miller
NBC recently announced that
much-loved comedy series
“Community” will return to
the network’s lineup Feb. 7.
Performers hoping to land a coveted
guest role on the show need the right
mix of character acting and improv
skills, according to Josh Einsohn, a
casting director who works with Juel
Bestrop at her Los Angeles office.
Einsohn, who was promoted
to casting director in July, cast
“Community” and “Up All Night”
with Bestrop, and their office is
working on “Gates,” an NBC comedy
pilot set at the gates of an elementary
school.
On “Community,” Einsohn is
primarily involved in casting speaking
roles.
“12 angry people” / nonunion film / l.a. / male and female actors, ages 21–60
“chicago” / union musical / n.Y. / future replacements for all roles
tv
‘CommuNity’ oN
Lookout for taLeNt
NBC Comedy is set to returN
to airwaves iN FeBruary
The series, which boasts an
impressive ensemble cast that
includes Chevy Chase, Joel McHale,
and Gillian Jacobs, is routinely
casting “quick, fun, small parts”
that can turn into recurring roles,
he said. “ ‘Community’ is definitely
one of the [series] more open to
off-the-wall casting.
“The kind of people that we find
the best are the ones that are skilled
at developing a character and who
are really good at improv,” Einsohn
said. “Improv is all about pushing
the limits, and a character has definitions
for how far it can go. The
strongest ones for a comedy know
how to do both really well.”
It can be tough to find the right
performer, in part because the
show’s devoted fan base can blow
hot or cold on the show’s guest
“Community” premieres Feb. 7.
stars. “Nobody ever really knows
what’s going to connect with the
audience,” he said.
Einsohn singled out Inspector
Spacetime, played by Travis Richey,
as one example of a guest spot
that grew into something more.
“Everyone fell in love with the
character.”
“Community” is also a show that
generates consistent social media
buzz, but Einsohn said there isn’t
pressure to find actors with, say,
“the kind of people
that we find the best
are the ones that are
skilled at developing a
character and who are
really good at improv.”
—Josh einsohn, casTinG DirecTor
Twitter appeal. “I think there are
people that we have cast who do
have a social media reach, but it’s
always been about casting the right
people creatively,” he said.
Einsohn encouraged actors interested
in a role on the series to take
improv training on top of traditional
acting classes. “Even if you’re good
at it and have it naturally,” he said,
“it’s a muscle you have to exercise
and keep limber.”
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Volunteer at
actorfest la
Backstage is
seeking volunteers
to help at its annual
actorfest La event,
which takes place
Dec. 15.
volunteers will help
with setup, casting
calls, and workshops.
the event lasts 10 to
12 hours, and volunteers
should be available
all day. Backstage
is seeking volunteers
for full-day or half-day
shifts. in exchange,
volunteers will receive
a six-month subscription
to backstage.
com; volunteers who
commit to a full day
will also receive a free
lunch voucher.
actorfest is Backstage’s
annual trade
show for aspiring and
working actors, offering
a full day of casting
calls, classes and
workshops, networking
opportunities with industry
pros, and more.
for more information
about the event, visit
actorfest.com.
11.29.12 backstage 11