Casting has always been a major interest of mine—not only because it’s essential for my actor-self to understand what happens on the other side of the room, but also because I recognize how the right people can shape the emotional truth of a story. As Martin Scorsese said, “90% of directing is casting.”

While pursuing my minors in Producing and the Business of Entertainment at NYU, I studied Casting and Auditioning under Todd Thaler (Casting Director of Léon: The Professional, starring Natalie Portman) and received masterclasses from industry legends Avy Kaufman (Brokeback Mountain, Succession), Margery Simkin (Avatar, Little Shop of Horrors), and Ellen Lewis (Shutter Island, Goodfellas). Their insights deepened my appreciation for the instinct, empathy, and storytelling that define great casting.

After graduating from NYU, I joined Damian Bao Casting as an intern, contributing to feature film and music video projects such as Sundance winning director Ira Sachs’s The Man I Love (starring Academy Award winner Rami Malek, whom I had the opportunity to dance alongside in a scene), Justin Daering’s Progeny, and Chappell Roan’s The Subway music video. I also assisted on commercial campaigns for eBay, ULTA Beauty, Meta AI, The Children’s Place, etc.

Throughout my time there, I gained hands-on experience in script analysis, writing character breakdowns, pulling audition sides, reading for actors, and assisting with both in-person and Zoom sessions. I also helped organize large-scale submissions, scout talent, and prepare director presentations. Most importantly, I developed a more precise eye for authenticity and a deep respect for the collaborative work that brings the right cast together.

Working in casting has sharpened my instincts as an actor. I now have a clearer, more holistic understanding of how choices read from the other side of the camera, and how preparation, authenticity, and openness make a lasting impression. It’s given me a deeper empathy for the entire creative process and a stronger sense of how to contribute meaningfully to it. I know the rewards of this experience will only deepen with time, continuing to shape how I approach my craft and collaboration.