Casting Directors in Ireland: What They Do and How to Get on Their Radar
Casting directors in Ireland are hired by a production to find and audition actors for each role, then present the strongest tapes to the director and producer, who make the final choice. You get on their radar by attending their workshops, sending your headshot, CV and showreel once a year, following them on social media, and applying to the castings they post.
Who are the casting directors in Ireland? What is their role in the film industry, and how do you get on their radar? Grab a cup of tea and get comfortable, because this guide explains all of it, and finishes with a list of Irish casting directors and their websites.
What does a casting director do?
In film and television, casting directors are hired by a production company to find a handful of actors for each part in a production. The casting director does not decide who books the role. Instead, they present a number of actors to the producer and director in the form of audition tapes. Once the producer and director have watched the auditions, they shortlist actors for callbacks or make an offer. A casting director has one goal: to make their clients happy.
If the producer or director is not happy with the audition tapes the casting director has presented, they will be asked to send more options. For this reason, casting directors must have a very good idea of all the actors available to them. That lets them select the right people to audition for every role and, ultimately, impress the producers they are working for. So whenever you are brought in to audition, remember that you are there because that casting director wants you to get the part.
In theatre, the artistic director of the production company generally holds their own auditions, so there is often no need for a middle person.
How to approach a casting director
There are a number of ways to get on a casting director's radar.
Attend a workshop
Casting directors sometimes run workshops where they invite actors to perform a scene and give feedback. They might also hold a Q&A, or give a short presentation with tips and industry insights. If you are just starting out, this is a great way to meet casting directors who may not have seen your work. If the casting director is impressed with your performance in their workshop, they are more likely to bring you in for an audition when a suitable role crops up. Be aware that these workshops usually charge a fee for the day.
Send them your portfolio
If you do not have an agent, it is a good idea to send your portfolio (headshot, CV and showreel) to casting directors once a year. Write a short cover letter highlighting any new developments in your career, such as a recent film or theatre production you were cast in. The casting director will file your details and get in touch should the right part come up. If you have an agent, you do not need to email casting directors yourself, because your agent takes care of getting you seen for auditions.
Many casting directors say on their website how they prefer actors to contact them. If they have not specified a method, send your portfolio by email only. Casting directors are very busy, so it is best not to follow up. Once you have sent your headshot, CV and showreel, trust that they will get in touch if and when a suitable opportunity arises.
Follow them on social media
Casting directors often have large followings on social media, which gives them an easy way to reach a lot of actors at once. For this reason, you will see many casting directors posting casting calls on their social media pages. Follow every casting director you can find and turn on notifications for their pages, so that you do not miss a call.
Apply to their castings
When a casting director posts a casting on Actorly, the breakdown goes out to the actors on Actorly, to registered Irish agencies, or to both, depending on who the casting director wants to hear from. Keeping your profile current and applying to the roles that suit you is the most direct way to put your work in front of the casting directors who are casting right now.
Important: you should never pay a casting director to attend their auditions, or to apply for any roles they are casting, directly or indirectly.
Casting directors in Ireland
Here are some of the casting directors working in Ireland, with links to their websites or IMDb pages. This list is not exhaustive, and casting directors come and go, so treat it as a starting point rather than a complete directory.
- Louise Kiely Casting: louisekiely.com
- Carla Stronge Casting: carlastrongecasting.com
- Amy Rowan Casting: rowancasting.ie
- Moiselle Casting: moisellecasting.com
- Georgia Simpson Casting: georgiasimpsoncasting.com
- Emma Gunnery Casting: gunnerycasting.com
- Gillian Reynolds Casting: IMDb
- Maureen Hughes Casting: IMDb
- Ali and Katy Casting: aliandkatycasting.ie
Check each website for the casting director's preferred way of receiving submissions before you send anything.
Casting directors post their castings on Actorly, and it is free to join and free to apply. Create your free actor profile, keep it up to date, and you will be there when they are looking.
Frequently asked questions
What does a casting director do?
A casting director is hired by a production company to find a shortlist of actors for each role. They audition actors and present the tapes to the producer and director, who decide who is called back or offered the part. The casting director does not make the final decision.
How do I contact casting directors in Ireland?
Check the casting director's website first, because many say how they prefer to be contacted. If nothing is specified, email your headshot, CV and showreel with a short cover letter. Send it about once a year and do not follow up; they will get in touch if a suitable role comes up.
Do I need an agent to be seen by a casting director?
No. If you do not have an agent, you can send your portfolio to casting directors yourself and apply directly to the castings they post. If you do have an agent, they handle submissions for you and there is no need to email casting directors separately.
Should I pay to audition for a casting director?
No. You should never pay a casting director to attend their auditions or to apply for a role they are casting, directly or indirectly. Paid workshops where a casting director gives feedback on a scene are a separate thing and are optional.
Do casting directors in Ireland run workshops?
Some do. They invite actors to perform a scene and give feedback, and sometimes add a Q&A or a talk with industry insights. If the casting director likes your work in a workshop, they are more likely to bring you in when a suitable role comes up. Workshops usually charge a fee for the day.
Casting directors post their castings on Actorly.
Build a profile in minutes, get casting alerts matched to your playing age, and apply for free.
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