The Telsey Office

The Telsey Office was founded in 1988 by Bernie Telsey, who recognized the need for a casting office that approached Broadway and theatrical casting with the same level of sophistication and professionalism that film and television casting had achieved. Bernie Telsey brought a deep understanding of musical theater and a vision for creating a casting office that would work collaboratively with directors, choreographers, and producers to find the perfect actors for each role. From its earliest days, The Telsey Office established a reputation for thorough, thoughtful casting processes that prioritized artistic fit alongside commercial viability. The office quickly became the go-to casting resource for some of Broadway's most visionary directors and producers. Over the decades, The Telsey Office has been responsible for casting some of the most culturally significant and commercially successful Broadway productions in history, fundamentally shaping the landscape of American musical theater.

Today, The Telsey Office operates as the most influential and respected casting office in Broadway and theatrical entertainment, with a staff of 22 casting professionals working from their headquarters at 1501 Broadway in New York and an additional office in Los Angeles. The office has cast landmark productions including Hamilton, Wicked, Rent, Hairspray, In the Heights, Kinky Boots, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, and countless other Tony Award-winning and nominated shows. Their market position is essentially unparalleled in theatrical casting, as virtually every major Broadway production and significant regional theater production considers working with The Telsey Office. The office's influence extends beyond Broadway to include national tours, regional theater, film and television projects, and concert events. Bernie Telsey and his team have fundamentally changed how theatrical casting is conducted, emphasizing inclusive casting practices, comprehensive audition processes, and long-term relationships with actors across multiple projects.

It is crucial to understand that The Telsey Office is a casting office, not a talent agency, which means they hire actors for specific projects rather than representing actors for ongoing career management. Actors do not "get signed" by The Telsey Office in the traditional agency sense. Instead, actors audition for specific roles when The Telsey Office is casting a production. Getting seen by The Telsey Office typically happens through agent submissions, as the office works primarily with talent agencies who submit their clients for appropriate roles. Actors with representation from reputable agencies will be submitted by their agents when suitable roles are being cast. For actors without representation, The Telsey Office occasionally holds Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs) and other open calls as required by union regulations, providing opportunities for unrepresented actors to be seen. Building a relationship with The Telsey Office happens gradually through repeated auditions, professional conduct, and strong performances that make you memorable for future projects. The office maintains extensive files on actors they have seen over the years, and a strong first audition can lead to callbacks for future projects even if you don't book the initial role.

The Telsey Office provides casting services across a wide range of theatrical and entertainment projects including Broadway productions, national tours, regional theater, off-Broadway shows, film and television projects, concert events, and developmental workshops. Their Broadway casting encompasses musicals, plays, revivals, and new works across all scales from intimate productions to massive spectacles. The office casts both principal roles and ensemble tracks, working closely with directors and choreographers to assemble companies that balance artistic excellence with commercial appeal. Their television and film division, operating from their Los Angeles office, casts theatrical actors in screen projects and helps transition stage performers into on-camera work. The Telsey Office is particularly known for their commitment to inclusive casting and their willingness to see actors who might not fit traditional Broadway molds but possess extraordinary talent. The office's workshop and developmental casting work means they often identify talent early in a show's development process, creating opportunities for actors to originate roles in new musicals that may eventually transfer to Broadway.

The Telsey Office sees and casts actors across the full spectrum of experience levels, from Broadway veterans with decades of credits to recent graduates of training programs making their professional debuts. The office has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous now-famous actors who were unknowns when they were first cast in Telsey projects. Their casting philosophy emphasizes talent, preparation, and professionalism over celebrity, meaning that lesser-known actors with the right skills for a role have genuine opportunities to be cast alongside established names. The Telsey Office has cast multiple Tony Award winners and nominees, discovering and championing talent that went on to achieve significant recognition. They cast the original companies of some of the most successful Broadway shows in history, including roles that became star-making vehicles for previously unknown performers. The office's reputation within the acting community is overwhelmingly positive, as actors appreciate the professionalism, respect, and thoroughness of The Telsey Office's audition processes. Casting directors at the office are known for providing clear direction during auditions, making actors feel supported rather than judged, and maintaining respectful communication throughout the casting process.

Because The Telsey Office is a casting office rather than an agency, actors do not pay commissions to The Telsey Office. When an actor books a role through a Telsey casting, they receive payment directly from the production according to their union contract (typically Actors' Equity for stage work or SAG-AFTRA for film/TV), and any commissions owed are paid to the actor's agent and manager. Actors' Equity contracts for Broadway productions include minimum salaries that increase based on role type, show revenue, and other factors, with principal performers typically earning significantly more than minimum scale. Actors cast in major Broadway productions can expect to work under Equity contracts that provide not only salary but also benefits including health insurance, pension contributions, and per diem allowances for out-of-town productions. The financial opportunity of booking a Telsey casting, particularly for a long-running Broadway show, can be career-changing, providing stable income for months or years along with the exposure and credibility that comes from working on a high-profile production.

The Telsey Office is an essential resource for any actor pursuing a career in musical theater, Broadway, or serious theatrical work in New York. Actors with strong training in singing, dancing, and acting who aspire to work in major theatrical productions should make it a career priority to be seen by The Telsey Office and build relationships with their casting directors. Performers who are comfortable with the audition process, professional in their conduct, and resilient in the face of rejection will benefit from the repeated opportunities to audition for Telsey projects. Actors who prefer to avoid the audition process, who find rejection discouraging rather than motivating, or who are primarily interested in film and television work outside of theatrical adaptations will find The Telsey Office less central to their career path. Performers without professional musical theater training who are not prepared for the technical demands of Broadway-level singing, dancing, and acting should complete necessary training before auditioning for Telsey projects.

The most effective strategy for building a relationship with The Telsey Office is to focus on developing exceptional skills in musical theater performance, securing agency representation that will submit you for Telsey projects, and approaching every audition with thorough preparation and professionalism. Train extensively in singing, dancing, and acting with reputable teachers and programs that prepare you for the technical and artistic demands of Broadway-level work. Build your resume through regional theater, off-Broadway, and other professional credits that demonstrate your abilities and work ethic. When you do get the opportunity to audition for a Telsey casting, prepare thoroughly by studying the material, understanding the show and character, and presenting your most professional, confident self in the audition room. Remember that casting directors see hundreds of actors and are looking for reasons to cast you, not reasons to reject you, so approach auditions as opportunities to show what you can do rather than tests to pass or fail. Building a reputation as a prepared, professional, talented performer over multiple auditions is the most reliable path to eventually booking Telsey projects and developing the kind of relationship that leads to repeat opportunities throughout your career.