May 26, 2025
Close Up with Casting Director Tara Rubin (Aladdin, BOOP, Death Becomes Her, Six, The Outsiders)
Mentors on the Mic: Your guide to pursuing a career in the Entertainment industryAbout this episode
This is a 3 part mini Casting Director series, sponsored by Casting Networks. Tara Rubin started her company, Tara Rubin Casting in 2001 after working at Johnson-Liff Casting for fifteen years. During that time she cast for Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls, and the daytime drama Another World. At Tara Rubin Casting she continued those associations and cast other Broadway productions, including Mamma Mia!, The Producers, Bombay Dreams, Spamalot, Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, School of Rock, Aladdin, A Bronx Tale, Dear Evan Hansen, The Band's Visit, Six, Here Lies Love, and The Outsiders. Current Broadway shows include Six, Aladdin, Death Becomes Her, Boop: The Musical, Dead Outlaw, and Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. She recently cast the film Here Today and the Apple + series Before both starring Billy Crystal. Tara serves on committees for the Entertainment Community Fund and the Noel Coward Foundation. She is an honors graduate of Boston University, a member of the Casting Society and recipient of the Hoyt Bowers Award for excellence in casting and outstanding contribution to the casting profession. She has taught classes at New York University and Sarah Lawrence College. In 2025 Tara Rubin Casting rebranded as the TRC Company. In this episode, we talk about all things ACTORS including: • How she casts a replacement for a show, particularly the balance between the individuality of the actor vs what the original performer did • How long does an actor have to rehearse before replacing another person in the role • The process of casting a Broadway show ensemble, with the makeup of one including understudies and skilled dancers • How many actors get submitted for a role and how many actors she brings in that she knows vs who she doesn’t know • Process of casting a show from workshop to regional to Broadway • Booking the room vs the part - and how talent and imagination makes actors stands out to her in an audition • What has she noticed in actors that book a lot • How do you stay in touch or keep on her radar • Advice for new actors about starting on Broadway Guest: Company Website IMDb Playbill Casting Networks Sponsor: For a limited time, we’re offering listeners $65 off a Premium Annual membership. Use the code “ MENTORSMIC ”at checkout. Or if you’re not ready to commit, take advantage of our 14-day free trial, which unlocks full access to all Casting Networks features so you can start submitting to casting calls right away. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://www.castingnetworks.com/promo-codes/ to learn more. Steps on how to redeem: Visit www.castingnetworks.com Click on the ‘Join Now’ button Complete the Talent Registration form and follow the steps to verify your email and create your profile Proceed to checkout, leaving the' ‘Pay Yearly’ option selected Enter ‘ MENTORSMIC ’ in the promo code field, click “Apply” to complete checkout. Don’t wait! This offer expires soon! Host: Instagram: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneMiller Twitter: @MentorsontheMic @MichelleSimoneM Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mentorsonthemic Website: www.michellesimonemiller.com and www.mentorsonthemic.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/24mmichelle If you like this episode, check out: Close Up with Casting Director Paul Schnee (Barden/Schnee casting: "Pitch Perfect," "Sisters," "Palm Royale," "Winter's Bone") Becoming Casting Director Erica Hart ("THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE," "GODFATHER OF HARLEM," "THE BOLD TYPE") Becoming... award-winning Casting Director Bernie Telsey ("The Color Purple," "The Idea of You," "Hamilton," "SMASH," "Wicked," "The Gilded Age"