Benefits:

Hybrid working for eligible teams and a company culture that promotes good work/life balance
Enhanced annual leave, starting at 25 days per year, increasing by one day per year up to 30 days (plus bank holidays). Opportunity to switch statutory bank holidays to mark a religious event or festival
Complimentary tickets for you and a guest to Old Vic preview productions
Discretionary invite to Press Night performances and parties
Free therapy from our therapy partner SelfSpace
Mental health support via our in house Mental Health Champions
Enhanced employer pension contributions with The People's Pension
Festive day - one discretionary additional paid day off around the festive period for a collective pause
Time to volunteer - one day per year to support a charity or project of your choosing
Commitment to learning, education and development
Enhanced sick pay
Access to interest free travel schemes including Cycle 2 work and Season Ticket loans after your probation period
Family friendly policies and enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental pay
All staff social events
Staff discount in Penny and The Old Vic bars as well as discounts in local bars and restaurants
Opportunities to get involved with staff clubs and working groups such as the Inclusion Working Group
Buddy schemes including New Starter and Parental buddies to support your induction and return to work after parental leave


Role Summary

The Casting Assistant at The Old Vic sits in the Production team working closely with the Artistic Director, Producer, General Manager and Associate General Managers. The purpose of the role is to provide support to The Old Vic's programming team, freelance Directors and Casting Directors to ensure lists are made and maintained, casting sessions organised and artists are secured for productions. The role will offer suggestions for roles, do detailed and sensitive research for most main house projects and will support, or potentially lead, on casting the Understudies for some productions. They will also provide general administrative support to do with scheduling of casting, liaising with artists and be The Old Vic's main contact for artist agencies. The role will also work with the wider Old Vic team on multiple projects at once ranging from main stage productions, Education and Community projects, Backstage Building projects and workshops/readings, and will cast some workshops without additional support

The Casting Assistant will be mentored by The Old Vic's Senior Casting Consultant, Jessica Ronane CDG and also work closely with US Casting Associate Jim Carnahan CSA.

Areas of responsibility

The Casting Assistant will be responsible for:

Availability checking actors
Working with multiple casting directors at once, often in the UK and or/ USA
In consultation with Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors, establish the understudy and cover matrix for productions ahead of a casting process.
Arranging, setting up and supporting or coordinating casting sessions
Sometimes leading casting and understudy sessions
Conducting general administrative tasks related to casting, including contacting a large volume of actors and agents, availability checks and maintaining lists
Coordinating and/or recording casting as required. Uploading footage using Casting Networks and other platforms, and managing the distribution of audition footage in a timely fashion.
Collating responses from the creative team
Giving feedback to actors and their agents and abiding by the CDG code of conduct, not limited to the yes/no guidelines
When appropriate, make in principle offers to agents
Ensuring a timely and efficient line of communication between artists agencies and The Old Vic.
Ensuring that any activities comply with all The Old Vic's workplace and employee policies, including but not limited to Health & Safety, Dignity at Work and Safeguarding policies
To support or lead on casting internal workshops for potential/ upcoming main stage shows
Supporting The Old Vic's Development team and Artistic Director's Executive Assistant with occasional actors' requests
Working with our Head of Inclusion on capturing equal opportunities data for casting in accordance with The Old Vic's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies to ensure we continue to develop how we meet a broad range of artists
To lead or support any special projects or initiatives to meet actors and expand the reach and breadth of knowledge with regards to its ED&I initiatives
To ensure a presence at industry events including attending most drama school showcases, external readings and presentations.
Adhering to the CDG's code of conduct and where appropriate, attending CDG talks and events
Setting up and maintaining information systems, that comply with The Old Vic's data policy and wider GDPR legislation.
Attending theatre shows and press nights on a regular basis and reporting back to the Programming team as required
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the Theatre's management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience of handling confidential and/or controversial information with tact and sensitivity
Ability to prioritise a conflicting workload efficiently and to maintain standards of accuracy and attention to detail when working to deadlines or changing priorities
Proven experience working in an administrative capacity in an environment with competing demands
Exemplary organisational skills as well as written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrable interest in the theatre industry
IT literacy, with good experience of the Microsoft Office suite and Excel in particular
A knowledge of etiquette and protocol in dealing with high-profile individuals
Understanding of the importance of The Old Vic's ED&I values and how they interact with casting
Strong team ethic along with the ability to work independently
Literate in video editing and uploading techniques
Comfortable reading and breaking down scripts and drawing up cover charts, character breakdowns and project summaries
Experience of working in a producing theatre or a similar environment
Strong networker and able to bring innovative ideas into the team
Knowledge of and interest in actors and the challenges and opportunities of casting theatre in 2025.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check as the role may interact with vulnerable adults and/or children.