Abbey Theatre - Amharclann na Mainistreach

Casting

The Abbey Theatre is the only theatre in Ireland with a full time in-house Casting Department dedicated to seeking out new and emerging talent, as well as keeping abreast of the continued work and development of previously established actors from all over the country and abroad.

The Casting Department uses its base of knowledge to aid the writer and director in realising their artistic ambition for each role within any given production. The department is responsible for casting all productions for the Abbey and Peacock stages as well as all readings, workshops and studio initiatives.

In 2008 alone the Casting Department facilitated nearly 500 auditions for productions on both the Abbey and Peacock stages as well as seeing many other actors across a wide range of productions outside the Abbey.

The number of new actors making their debut at the Abbey increased 45% between 2006 and 2007. In 2008 debuts were up 62% when compared to 2006, with 47 actors making their Abbey Theatre debut last year.

In 2008 the department cast almost three hundred roles for all productions, readings and workshops within the Abbey Theatre.