Are you a show producer or director with a show idea and looking to cast it?

In this workshop, you’ll learn what you need to do to have equity in casting and how to design an inclusive, ethical casting process.

This workshop will be led by Mary C. Parker, a veteran improv performer, teacher, and director. In 2025, Mary participated in 6 improv audition panels and cast over 250 improvisors across 20+ teams in 3 theaters and 2 states, for both long-form and short-form improv teams. That same year, she directed 4 improv teams in long-form Armando and Spokane formats and a format inspired by follow the leaver that is designed as a Slacker, played as a simple La Ronde, and takes place as a macro scene. She created an original improv audition workshop to recruit BIPOC improvisers and delivered this workshop in Seattle and Portland.

In this workshop, Mary will share what she has learned from her experiences in front of and behind the audition table. This workshop will cover different aspects of auditioning and include topics on:

• Structures for an improv audition

• Audition applications

• Invitations and other communications

• What to look for with casting

• Drafting acceptances and rejection notifications

• Time pending: a mock audition process with workshop participants. An audition is the first experience of what a rehearsal space and working with you will be like.

The experience an auditionee has determines whether they will return to audition for you again and again, whether they are cast or not. Learn how to foster a space that supports the auditionee and helps bring the folks you want in your cast into the room.