Where can I find acting auditions?
Search specialist casting platforms, representation channels, production companies and reputable casting sources. Look for current opportunities that match your role profile and practical availability.
Acting Auditions & Casting Calls: The 2026 Guide
Looking for acting auditions and casting calls means finding productions currently seeking performers, identifying roles that fit your profile and following the production's application instructions. Opportunities can range from films and television to commercials, theatre, student productions and online projects.
This guide combines practical guidance for actors with first-party Fame Street research. The August 2026 cohort contains 127 casting calls, 398 individual acting roles and 1,718 casting applications from 996 actors, giving the guide a direct view of how advertised acting opportunities move from casting call to actor application.
127
Casting calls analysed
398
Individual acting roles
1,718
Actor applications
996
Actors applying
Acting auditions & casting calls: the short answer
A casting call announces that a production is looking for performers and invites suitable actors to apply. Fame Street's Acting Jobs Report 2026 examines the wider range of acting roles and casting opportunities being advertised. An acting audition is the assessment stage, where selected actors may be asked to perform material in person, by self-tape or through an online session. Actors usually find a relevant casting call first, submit the requested information, and then audition if the casting team selects them for the next stage.
Casting call: the opportunity or invitation for suitable actors to apply.
Acting audition: the stage where an actor demonstrates suitability for a particular role.
Where to find them: casting platforms, agents, production companies, casting professionals and verified industry sources.
How to apply: check eligibility, follow the casting instructions and send only the materials requested.
Original Fame Street data
Acting Auditions & Casting Calls: August 2026 Research Dataset
Measured activity from Fame Street's August 2026 casting-call cohort, analysed on 24 August 2026.
Casting calls
127
Acting roles
398
Actors applying
996
Applications
1,718
| Measure | August 2026 cohort |
|---|---|
| Casting calls analysed | 127 |
| Individual acting roles | 398 |
| Actors who applied | 996 |
| Recorded applications | 1,718 |
| Research cohort period | 4–23 August 2026 |
| Analysis date | 24 August 2026 |
Source: Fame Street Research, August 2026. Counts are drawn from Fame Street's first-party casting, role and application records.
Acting auditions
What are acting auditions?
An acting audition is a role-specific assessment in which an actor performs material so a casting team can judge whether they may be suitable for a production. The first audition may take place in person, through a self-tape or online, often following an initial casting call. Some actors are then invited to callbacks, chemistry reads or further rounds before a final casting decision is made.
An audition is not normally the first point at which an actor discovers a role. The process often begins with a casting call or role breakdown. The actor checks whether they fit the requirements, applies, and may then be invited to audition.
This distinction matters when searching online. A page advertising a role may be described as a casting call even though the actor's eventual goal is to secure an audition. For that reason, actors looking for opportunities benefit from searching for both acting auditions and casting calls.
Casting calls
What are casting calls?
A casting call is a notice announcing that a production is seeking actors or other performers for one or more roles. It normally identifies the project, the roles being cast, eligibility requirements and instructions explaining how interested performers should apply.
Casting calls may be published by casting directors, producers, filmmakers, production companies, theatre companies, student productions or other legitimate production teams. Some are open calls, while others are distributed to a narrower pool of suitable performers.
A useful casting call gives an actor enough information to decide whether the opportunity is relevant before applying. Fame Street's companion research guide, How to Post a Casting Call, examines the information that productions should include when creating one.
The casting process
Acting auditions vs casting calls: what's the difference?
The casting call is the invitation to apply; the acting audition is the assessment that may follow. Not every applicant is invited to audition, and not every production uses exactly the same process.
Process guide
How a casting call can lead to an acting audition
The stages below show a common casting route. Individual productions may use a different sequence or omit stages.
1
Casting call
A production advertises one or more roles.
2
Actor applies
The actor follows the stated application instructions.
3
Shortlisting
The casting team reviews suitable applicants.
4
Audition
Selected actors perform in person, online or by self-tape.
5
Callback
Some actors may be invited to a further round.
6
Decision
The production selects the performer it wants to cast.
Why actors should search both terms
Someone searching only for "acting auditions" can miss opportunities advertised as "casting calls", while someone searching only for "casting calls" may miss pages using audition terminology. In practice, both phrases describe closely connected stages of the same casting journey.
Finding opportunities
Where can actors find acting auditions and casting calls?
Actors can find acting auditions and casting calls through specialist casting platforms, agents, casting professionals, production companies and reputable industry networks. The most useful source is one that publishes current role information and lets actors quickly identify opportunities matching their location and profile.
Casting platforms
Specialist casting websites bring opportunities from multiple productions into one searchable place and can make it easier to find new roles regularly.
Agents and representation
Agents may receive professional casting breakdowns and submit clients for roles that fit their casting profile.
Production and casting teams
Some productions and casting professionals announce opportunities through their own websites, mailing lists or verified social channels.
Industry networks
Drama schools, filmmaking communities and professional networks can surface opportunities, although actors should still assess each casting independently.
Local auditions
How do I find acting auditions near me?
To find acting auditions near you, search by your country, city or region, but also check where the production will film and whether the first audition can be completed remotely. The audition location and the eventual filming location are not always the same.
Location matters because some productions need local performers, while others are prepared to consider actors from a wider area. A first-round self-tape can also allow actors to be considered without travelling simply to enter the initial selection process.
When assessing an audition near you, check the filming location, production dates, travel expectations and any residency or local-hire requirement. A nearby audition is only useful if you can also meet the production's practical requirements.
Local casting calls
How do I find casting calls near me?
Search casting calls by the location attached to the role or production, then widen the search to regional, nationwide and remote opportunities where appropriate. A casting call may accept actors from a broader area than the place where filming ultimately takes place.
Actors should therefore avoid treating "near me" as a rigid radius. A suitable role elsewhere in the country may still be realistic if the production accepts self-tapes, covers travel, provides accommodation or only requires travel for filming.
Search the role, not just the postcode
The strongest match is a combination of role suitability and practical availability. Location is important, but so are playing age, skills, production dates and the casting team's eligibility requirements.
Finding auditions
How to find acting auditions
The most reliable way to find acting auditions is to build a repeatable search routine: check current casting opportunities, focus on roles you genuinely fit, keep your actor materials ready and respond to suitable notices according to their instructions.
Check reputable casting sources regularly rather than relying on a single occasional search.
Filter opportunities by role suitability, location, playing age and availability.
Read the complete casting call before deciding to apply.
Keep your actor profile and requested media current so you can respond efficiently.
Follow the production's application method rather than sending extra material that was not requested.
The objective is not to apply for every audition you see. It is to find a steady stream of relevant opportunities and make it straightforward for the casting team to assess whether you fit the role.
Finding casting calls
How to find casting calls
Actors can find casting calls by searching current role listings and checking the details that determine whether an opportunity is genuinely suitable: the production, role description, location, dates, eligibility and application instructions.
A casting-call search should lead to a decision, not simply a long list of links. Once you find a notice, check what is being cast, whether you meet the stated criteria and whether you can realistically take part in the production.
Fame Street's Acting Jobs Report 2026 provides separate research into the casting opportunities represented in the platform database. This guide focuses instead on the actor's route from finding a casting call to applying and potentially being invited to audition.
Screen acting
Film auditions and movie casting calls
Film auditions begin with productions identifying actors who fit specific screen roles, often through casting calls, agent submissions or direct approaches. Opportunities can include feature films, independent films, short films and student productions.
Film casting calls can vary enormously in scale. An independent short may advertise directly to actors, while a larger feature may use casting professionals and representation for much of its search. In either case, the actor should judge the opportunity by the role requirements and production information rather than assuming every film follows the same casting route.
Television
TV auditions and television casting calls
TV auditions are role-specific casting assessments for television productions, with performers commonly reaching the audition stage after a casting team or agent has identified them as a potential match.
Television casting can include scripted drama, comedy, commercials, factual entertainment and other formats. The application route depends on the production: some opportunities are publicly advertised, while others circulate through professional casting channels or representation.
Remote casting
Online acting auditions and self-tapes
An online acting audition allows an actor to be assessed without attending the first casting stage in person. This may involve a recorded self-tape or a live video audition, depending on the production's instructions.
Self-tapes can broaden the geographic reach of an initial casting search because actors can submit a performance remotely. That does not mean the eventual job itself is remote: actors still need to check where filming or rehearsals take place and whether they can meet those commitments.
If a casting team requests a self-tape, follow its brief precisely. Framing, file format, scene instructions, deadline and naming conventions may all be specified by the production.
New actors
Can beginners find acting auditions and casting calls?
Yes. Some casting calls are suitable for beginners or actors building their first credits, although every role has its own requirements. New actors should concentrate on opportunities for which they genuinely meet the stated criteria rather than assuming that every open casting is entry-level.
Independent films, short films, student productions and smaller creative projects can all form part of the early-career casting landscape. A beginner should still approach each application professionally: read the notice carefully, provide the requested information and be realistic about availability.
Lack of previous credits does not remove the need to demonstrate suitability. Training, skills, appearance, location, availability and the quality of any requested audition material can all matter depending on the role.
Applications
How to apply for acting auditions and casting calls
To apply for a casting call, first confirm that you fit the role, then follow the production's instructions and provide the requested actor information or media. If the casting team wants to assess you further, the next stage may be an acting audition, self-tape, callback or direct conversation.
Actor application journey
What actors do after finding a casting call
A practical route from discovering a suitable opportunity to completing an audition if selected.
1
Find
Identify a casting call that genuinely fits you.
2
Check
Confirm role eligibility, dates and location.
3
Prepare
Gather only the information and media requested.
4
Apply
Use the stated application method and follow instructions.
5
Audition
Complete a self-tape or audition if invited.
6
Follow through
Respond promptly if the production requests more information.
First-party Fame Street application data
The August 2026 research cohort recorded 1,718 casting applications from 996 individual actors across 127 newly created casting calls. The figure is used here as evidence of observed application activity, not as a claim that every casting call receives the same level of response.
Actor materials
What do you need for an acting audition?
There is no single pack of materials required for every acting audition. Actors should use the individual casting call or audition brief as the authority and provide exactly what the production requests.
Actor profile or CV: useful when the casting team wants credits, training or practical information.
Current photographs or headshots: where requested, these help the casting team assess your current appearance.
Showreel or performance media: some productions use existing footage to help decide whom to audition.
Self-tape: if requested, follow the exact performance and technical instructions in the brief.
Availability: be clear about whether you can attend the audition, rehearsal and filming dates.
Do not assume that sending more material creates a stronger application. If a casting call asks for one photograph and a short message, supplying an unsolicited package of files can make the application harder to assess rather than easier.
Casting safety
How to spot legitimate casting calls
A legitimate casting call should give enough information for an actor to understand what is being cast, what is expected and how the production wants applications handled. Actors should assess the production context, role details and communication before sharing information or committing to work.
Look for a clear project or production context rather than a vague promise of work.
Check that the role description and eligibility requirements make sense for the project.
Look for practical information such as location, dates, payment status or how those details will be confirmed.
Use the stated application route and be cautious if communication suddenly moves into an unrelated or inappropriate channel.
Be wary of requests that are unnecessary for casting, particularly sensitive personal information or unexpected payments.
No single detail proves that a production is legitimate. The aim is to assess the casting call as a whole and avoid treating the mere presence of the word "audition" as verification.
Quick answers
Acting auditions & casting calls: common questions
These short answers are designed to make the central information in this guide clear without requiring actors to interpret a long section of text.
Where can I find casting calls?
Casting calls are published through casting websites, agents, casting professionals, production companies and industry networks. Current listings are usually the most useful starting point.
How do I find acting auditions near me?
Search by city, region or country, then check both the audition arrangements and the eventual filming location. Remote first-round auditions can make some opportunities accessible from farther away.
Can beginners apply for acting auditions?
Yes, when the casting call is suitable for their profile and does not require experience they do not have. Beginners should follow the same application instructions and professional standards as other applicants.
Can I audition without an agent?
Yes, some casting calls accept direct applications from actors. Other professional castings are distributed through agents or restricted industry channels, so the route depends on the production.
Are there online acting auditions?
Yes. Productions may use recorded self-tapes or live video sessions for part of the audition process. Actors still need to check where rehearsals or filming will take place.
What's the difference between an audition and a casting call?
A casting call advertises a role and invites suitable performers to apply. An audition is the later assessment stage in which selected actors demonstrate their suitability for that role.
How do I apply for a casting call?
Check that you meet the role requirements, read the full notice, prepare the requested information or media and submit it through the application method specified by the production.
August 2026 research cohort & methodology
This guide is informed by first-party Fame Street casting activity. The research cohort contains 127 casting calls created between 4 August and 23 August 2026. Those casting calls contained 398 individual role records. By the 24 August 2026 analysis, the cohort had generated 1,718 casting applications from 996 unique actors.
- Each casting call in the cohort was counted once using its Fame Street creation timestamp.
- Each separately stored performer requirement in the casting-role table was counted as an individual role.
- Application totals were taken from recorded casting-application rows linked to the cohort's casting calls.
- Unique actors were counted by distinct member identifiers in those application records.
- Application activity is not evenly distributed across casting calls, so the report does not use the cohort's mean application count as a claim about a "typical" casting call.
- The research figures describe activity represented in Fame Street's database and are not a census of every acting audition or casting call worldwide.
- The practical guidance on this page is separated from the measured dataset: a statement is not presented as an August research finding unless the underlying data supports it.
How to cite this research
Statistics from this page may be quoted with attribution to Fame Street Research and a link to this report.
Fame Street Research (2026), Acting Auditions & Casting Calls: The 2026 Guide, Fame Street, published 24 August 2026.