Onstage: Casting Call

Three actors. One paid job. Strong credits, a big online following, or no commercial experience at all: who gets it? In this episode, David Greenwood OAM and Brian Coppock put you on the casting panel for a fictional regional tourism film. You pick your favourite, then see whether your answer holds as the brief, the callback and the final pairing reveal what the production actually needs. Along the way, they unpack what "easy to work with" really means, how to handle rejection without inventing reasons, and one practical exercise to take into your next audition.

What happens when performers lose the safety of a script and the audience helps shape what comes next?

Host Brian Coppock is joined by Sheldon Mott, creator of Heckle Havoc, an original storytelling game transformed into an unpredictable live theatrical experience.

Sheldon shares how the concept grew from a game played around a table into a performance combining improvisation, comedy, competition and audience participation. They explore what makes a strong improviser, how performers can take creative risks without fearing failure, and why listening, commitment and quick thinking often matter more than trying to be funny.

Brian also steps behind the Mask to attempt a live Heckle Havoc challenge of his own.

Follow OnStage: Casting Call for more conversations with the performers, creators and industry leaders shaping Australia’s stage and screen industries.

Not getting booked does not necessarily mean you lack talent. Sometimes your professional materials simply need an update.

In this solo episode, David Greenwood OAM shares six practical ways actors can strengthen their casting presence, including current headshots, a clear résumé, a simple voice reel, complete casting profiles, professional social media accounts and better communication with their agent.

David also hears from a NSW-based producer about one of the biggest red flags when assessing talent at first glance.

Create your free professional actor résumé at www.centrestageagency.org.au/builder.

In Episode 14 of Onstage: Casting Call, David Greenwood OAM and Brian Coppock are joined by actor, acting coach, writer, director and choreographer Matt Young for a practical and inspiring conversation about sustaining a serious performing arts career from regional and remote Australia.

Matt has worked across stage, screen, touring productions, teaching and regional screen development. Now based between Blackall, Brisbane and Fiji, he brings a valuable perspective on what it really takes to stay connected to the industry when you are not living near the major casting rooms.

This episode explores regional access, self-tapes, capital-city bias, performer discipline, respectful storytelling, and the mindset shift from waiting to be chosen to building meaningful creative opportunities from where you are.

For performers in Geelong, regional Victoria, Outback Queensland, New Zealand, Fiji or anywhere outside the major industry hubs, this conversation is a reminder that your postcode is not your ceiling. Distance does not cancel ambition, but it does demand strategy, preparation and strong professional habits.

Is AI already changing the way performers are seen by casting directors, producers and agencies?

Find the resume tool at www.centrestageagency.org.au/#resume

In this episode of Onstage: Casting Call, David Greenwood OAM explores one of the industry’s growing taboo topics: how digital casting platforms, searchable profiles, resume filters and AI-assisted tools may affect whether performers are seen, shortlisted or overlooked.

This is not about fear. It is about preparation.

David unpacks why your performing arts resume is no longer just admin, why unclear credits and vague skills can work against you, and why performers need materials that are current, honest, searchable and easy to understand.

The episode also includes a short anonymous perspective from a casting director on why clarity matters when reviewing high-volume submissions.

CentreStage Agency has created a free resume feedback tool to help performers review and improve their industry materials.

In this live episode of Onstage Casting Call, David Greenwood OAM and Brian Coppock take actors behind the scenes of the casting process and unpack the opportunities many performers never see publicly.

From Casting Networks, Showcast, Altai and StarNow through to producer portals, private briefs and direct industry relationships, this episode explores how professional casting opportunities actually move through the industry, and why representation can make such a difference.

David and Brian discuss what agents do behind the scenes, why actors are not submitted for every role, what makes a performer more casting-ready, and how headshots, profiles, self-tapes, communication and reliability all shape professional opportunities.

This episode is ideal for actors, musical theatre performers, screen talent, emerging artists and parents of young performers who want a clearer, more practical understanding of how the casting world really works.

Hosted by David Greenwood OAM and Brian Coppock.

For representation enquiries, contact [email protected].

Last night, David Greenwood OAM attended A Whole New World of Alan Menken at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, a remarkable celebration of one of musical theatre and film’s most influential composers.

In this reflective episode of Onstage: Casting Call, David explores one of the hardest lessons in creative work: don’t fall in love with your work, because even brilliant songs, scenes, auditions and ideas can end up on the cutting room floor.

Using Alan Menken’s performance and the history of cut songs from shows like Little Shop of Horrors as a starting point, this episode looks at creative resilience, feedback, self-tapes, collaboration and the discipline required to serve the story rather than protect your ego.

Brought to you by CentreStage.

In this episode of Onstage Casting Call, David Greenwood OAM and Brian Coppock sit down with Steven Tortosa from Cummings and Partners to unpack what really happens behind the camera and in the casting room.

Steven shares a candid look at how productions are brought to life, from executing creative ideas within budget to managing high-pressure shoot days and complex regulations, especially when working with young performers.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It tackles:

If you are serious about booking work and understanding how the industry really operates, this episode gives you the clarity most performers never get.

In Episode 9 of OnStage: Casting Call, we sit down with the formidable Joanna McKinnon Ward to unpack what it truly takes to build a sustainable, respected career in the performing arts.

Joanna speaks candidly about discipline, preparation and the mindset required to thrive in a competitive industry. From early training and breakthrough opportunities to navigating auditions, rejection and reinvention, this conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the realities of professional performance.

We explore what casting directors are really looking for, how performers can take ownership of their brand, and why resilience is not optional but essential. Joanna also reflects on the responsibility artists carry within their communities and the importance of lifting others as you climb.

This episode is practical, honest and energising. Whether you are an emerging performer, a seasoned creative, or a parent supporting a young artist, there are clear takeaways about preparation, professionalism and backing yourself when it matters most.

A grounded and inspiring conversation with one of the industry’s respected voices.

Recorded live in the foyer during CentreStage’s Passport to Broadway, this special episode of Onstage: Casting Call focuses on the parent experience behind the scenes.

Hosted by Brian Coppock and David Greenwood, the conversation is joined by guest parent Ryan Keogh, who shares honest insights into supporting a young performer through training, rehearsals, performances, and professional opportunities.

Together, we explore growing up in theatre from a family perspective, the role of education alongside creative commitments, child safety and wellbeing, and how parents can best support their children to develop confidence, resilience, and a healthy relationship with the industry.

Recorded in front of a live audience, this episode captures the spirit of Passport to Broadway and highlights the importance of strong partnerships between families, educators, and creative professionals in creating safe, supportive pathways for young people in the performing arts.