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In this episode of Authenticated, Kate McLeod sits down with award-winning casting director, producer, and writer Erica Hart for a vibrant, resonant conversation about presence, purpose, and the rhythm of creative expression.

Together, they trace Erica’s path—from casting student films at NYU to shaping major projects in TV, film, and now Broadway. Through candid reflection, Erica shares how she began trusting her instincts, speaking up in the room, and stepping fully into her voice—even when it meant challenging the systems she once looked up to.

This episode flows like a conversation between longtime collaborators. Kate and Erica explore what it means to hold authority gently but firmly, to honor the creative past without being defined by it, and to grow in community with people who’ve known you since your “little self.” Music, rhythm, and movement—threads from Erica’s musical + dancer’s heart—carry through the conversation, showing up in how she sees scenes, senses cadence, and casts characters.

They also hold space for a deeper inquiry: how do we reconcile the accessibility gap in the arts? What does it mean to pivot creatively with meaning when doors stay closed, and how can we reframe those moments as invitations to build new ones through our own artistic lens?

This conversation is a reminder: your younger self is still with you—and they’d be in awe of what you’re doing now. If you’ve ever felt the tension between structure and self-expression, or if you’re crafting your own creative blueprint, this one’s for you.

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