Global casting company shares tips, auditions ECU students
East Carolina University acting senior Riley Thompson became a positive example for fellow School of Theatre and Dance students when she demonstrated an industry tip from global casting representatives during a recent conversation and audition day.
During a Q&A session with Ryan Saab and Casey Noblett from live entertainment company RWS Global on Feb. 20, Thompson referenced Saab’s 2024 interview in Bold Journey Magazine before asking a question about industry trends and growth areas.
Thompson’s research efforts did not go unnoticed.
“Did you see what you did?” Saab asked. “That’s important. That registers with people.”
Ryan Saab, executive vice president for talent and creative casting for RWS Global, shares audition and personal brand tips with ECU theatre and dance students. Casey Noblett, right, is the RWS manager of talent casting and recruitment. (Photos by Ken Buday)
Early in the conversation, Noblett, RWS manager of talent casting and recruitment, told students to think about how they can investigate in advance the people and companies they meet, so if they get one question, it’s educated.
“Then you’re 10 steps ahead,” Noblett said.
The point was one of many, big and small, Saab and Noblett shared with students — including resume formatting, a properly curated Instagram feed and more tips for auditioning, which Saab called “a career in itself.”
Saab and Noblett also held general auditions for senior musical theatre and dance students. RWS Global, in part, casts performers for Broadway, national tour and off-Broadway performances, amusement parks, the Radio City Rockettes, and cruise lines.
“Fun fact, we are the biggest fleet of ships without being a cruise line,” Saab said. “We’ve got 55-plus ships within our roster; our sea division is quite large.”
Cruise ship performance is a dream job for many ECU students, which they told assistant professor of theatre Rebecca Simon in class. With connections in RWS, Simon wanted to give students the unique experience of bringing to campus the people who cast those performers.
“I love it,” she said. “I wanted that when I was their age.”
Musical theatre seniors Chris Brammer, Hannah Watters and Casey Wild are three of those students. Watters said booking a cruise job right after graduation has been her dream since her sophomore year.
“It’s a great way to get something on your resume,” Wild said. “It seems like a fun job where there aren’t many expenses. You’re living on the ship, you’re getting to perform, and you get to travel all over the world.”
Audition Outcomes
Musical theatre senior Hannah Watters (Provided photo)
One of the “cattle call” opportunities where musical theatre students audition for multiple companies at once is through United Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA) in Memphis, Tennessee.
ECU’s Hannah Watters, one of the seniors at the on-campus RWS audition, also auditioned at a recent UPTA call. She received an offer for her dream job: a vocalist role on the Seven Seas Explorer, part of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet.
“I feel so elated and thankful; it’s more than I could have asked for, especially since I’m traveling to places on my bucket list,” Watters said. “I’m also so excited to be performing consistently and learning shows on a professional level.
“It’s definitely going to be a new experience, and I simply cannot wait!”
Watters boards the ship Aug. 25 and will visit Japan, Alaska and Australia.
Brammer added the benefit of meeting and connecting with people.
“There’s a rotation of people coming on that cruise ship every so often, so you get to perform for new audiences all the time,” he said. “It’s great all around, and there’s lots of amazing people.”
The three seniors joined those auditioning for RWS, and said they appreciated the opportunity, especially on campus. Brammer and Wild said they have auditioned for RWS in other cities during “cattle calls,” when multiple companies audition performers for various potential opportunities.
“It’s just another opportunity to perform and have fun, and to make connections,” Wild said. “Even if something doesn’t necessarily come of it now, it’s always good to meet people and make a good impression on them.”
Simon said the day went well, and she appreciates hearing guests share tips based on their experiences, while also reinforcing what students are learning in class about becoming professionals. She hopes to keep the relationship going with RWS.
“The auditions were not only amazing, but they were a master class within themselves,” she said. “Most of them were stopping to have mini teaching moments.”