April Webster: Galactic Casting Director

The Acting Podcast

Often we think of successful Industry folks as out of reach and fancy and intimidating- especially after decades of huge success. And here at BGB and on the Acting Podcast we try to dispel that belief and remind ourselves that we are ALL human in this, we all face challenges, we are all figuring it out day to day.

Steve and Risa had great privilege to zoom this week with brilliant, acclaimed casting director, April Webster, and talked with her about the amazing work she has done over decades, how she approaches and has always approached the work- including the iconic franchises of Star Wars and Star Trek, how that’s all changed in the world of self-tapes and zoom auditions, what advice she has for actors, and what means the most to her about the work we do TOGETHER. We love the heart, humanity, intuition, deep love of the work, and a powerful mind-heart-body-spirit connection that April brings to her casting, and we’re thrilled to bring this inspiring conversation to you.

Listen in, and stick with it; there is so much wisdom here from one of the greatest casting directors ever.

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Guests & Resources:

April Webster is one of the most prominent and successful film and television casting directors in the world, and has been for decades. As an independent casting director she loves working on an eclectic mix of film, television, and theater projects that challenge and inspire her. She comes from theater and returns to it with such passion and to fill her tank. April has also directed extensively in the theater; she is inherently a director, which makes her an even better casting director.

In the film world April has worked on incredibly high end and iconic projects with amazing filmmakers, including collaborations with J.J. Abrams, Carlton Cuse, Roland Emmerich, Brad Bird, and most recently Jon M. Chu. And to mention a few films -- there’s Star Wars, Star Trek ‘Beyond’, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mission Impossible III, Tomorrowland, The Patriot … the list goes on. And she has cast so many TV pilots and series we love- including Lost, Bates Motel, Criminal Minds, The Strain, the new series, Clarice, and shows for Netflix and Amazon, including Stephen King’s Lisey’s Story, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Altered Carbon and Umbrella Academy. And… Stephen King’s 11/22/63 for HULU and BAD ROBOT.

April has received two MEDIA ACCESS AWARDS, Casting Society ARTIOS awards for the pilot casting of C.S.I., LOST, and the films STAR TREK and STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker. And she has won an Emmy for LOST. April is also the proud recipient of the CSA HOYT BOWERS award for Excellence in Casting. She serves on the Equity in Entertainment Committee of the Casting Society of America.

And most of all, April Webster loves, gets, and advocates for actors. Collaborating with actors, as a fellow artist, is her superpower and her greatest joy.

April has an IMDb page that you can check out here!

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