The casting director of “Fun Home,” now on Broadway, Cimini is also at work on casting the tour of “Cabaret,” and explains her No. 1 criteria for a good day of auditions.
CSA member since... July 2014
Current credits: “Fun Home” (B’way); “Matilda the Musical” (B’way and tour)
Upcoming credits: “Cabaret” (tour); “The Seagull” (film)
What’s your typical day like?
I think anyone in casting will tell you there is no such thing as a typical day. Coffee in the morning is probably my only constant.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I love any kind of physical activity. I jog along the West Side Highway a few times a week and try to preserve weekends for downtime with family and friends.
How do you choose what projects you work on?
I don’t really! Jim Carnahan assigns me to projects as they come in. If a freelance gig comes up that’s interesting I’ll jump on it, but my Carnahan/Roundabout projects keep me pretty busy.
Before actual auditions, how does the casting process begin?
Lots of lists.
What is the most common audition room mistake you see?
Coming in unprepared and not following instructions.
What do you want every actor walking into your room to know?
We want you to succeed.
What makes for a successful audition tape?
Make sure you are in the frame and have decent lighting. If we can’t see you, we probably aren’t going to call you back! I’m not a fan of direct address to the camera, especially for a theater audition.
Any projects you wish you had worked on?
Like most teenagers in the ’90s, I was obsessed with “Rent.”
In addition to open calls, where do you find new talent?
I spend a lot of time on YouTube.
How important is training versus experience to you?
Depends on the project/role.
What makes a successful casting session?
It’s always exciting when we have choices at the end of a process. Sometimes it all funnels down to one person and the decision is unanimous. It’s a great way to make connections and experience firsthand what it’s like.
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