Headshots

The first four notes I make on an actor's resume are:

- physical -- or not
- smart -- if they are
- on ground/in their body -- or not
- in their voice -- or not

Danger signs I note:

- weird monologue -- if they chose a racist or torturing piece
- not present -- not even in their entrance, intro, questions
- trouble -- they'd be trouble in rehearsal. Although, if they are also smart, I put them in the Smart/My Type pile. I bet on the smart ones.

Afterwards, I sort my headshots into piles:

- The Anthony Project -- actors for a specific project
- Fantastic -- only saw 5 of these, out of 300 actors
- Smart/My type -- improv, writing, & directing are big clues
- Maybe -- worth an interview
- No -- although, I still may cast if the project needs it
- No Never -- actors who had a weird vibe as people
- Pro/Out of my league/Will get cast -- good at the mask
- Musician -- actors make great musicians
- Connected -- people who work all over town, know everyone
- Tech/Stage Mgr/Design -- useful; often includes Connected folks
- International -- actors who have lived in other countries

Once I have a project in mind, I never forget it. I want to do a piece with Elder Women someday, so for four years I have noted on any resume of an older woman, whether she'd be good for this piece. Actors, themselves, often inspire me. Like this year, I saw so many good black actors in the morning Equity session that it gave me the idea for the Anthony Project. (Which I think will be an oratorio, some traversal of the line between death and rebirth.) Or, a few years back, there was a baritone who was so smart, I hired him as music director and assistant director, and grew the project together.

It is not random, the people who appear in your life.