People Casting Actors Calls Selecting Group Perform Short

"Casting calls" are used in the process of selecting the "cast" (the group of actors, singers, dancers, and other performers) who will perform in a play, movie, or TV show. Usually "aspiring" (hoping and wanting to have or do something, and working toward it) actors perform a short "monologue" (an acting performance in which only one person speaks; not a dialogue) or singers sing a short song in front of a "panel" (a group of people who judge something) that might include the director, producer, or other "executives" (people with decision-making power in an organization or business).

"Open casting," sometimes known as "cattle calls," describes casting calls that are "open to the public" so that anyone can attend, audition, and try to get a role in the production. Other productions allow people to audition "by invitation only" (only if they have received an invitation).

In most cases, the people who audition do not receive "immediate" (right away) "feedback" (information about how well or poorly one has performed). After a few hours or a few days, the "casting director" (the person who is responsible for selecting actors) might start making "callbacks," which are invitations for their favorite actors to return to continue auditioning. At that point, the actors might be asked to read from the script for the production, instead of performing an unrelated monologue.

Eventually, the casting director makes his or her decision and posts a "casting list" (a full list of all the people who will play a role in a production, as well as their "respective" (belonging to each person) roles).