Can Casting Directors Be Inclusive? with Peter Van Dam

What really happens in a Broadway audition room, and how do you get remembered down the line, even if you don’t land the role?

In this behind-the-scenes look at the casting process, I sit down with Broadway casting director Peter Van Dam (of the TRC Company) to unpack the artistry, emotional intelligence, and sheer human connection that go into casting a successful show. Peter shares his own origin story, from a shy kid in Portland, Maine, carrying a Mary Poppins VHS to school, to casting Tony-nominated productions like SIX, Dead Outlaw, and Sing Street.

This conversation dives into what a casting director actually does (spoiler: it's a lot more than sorting headshots), how inclusive casting can transform a creative process, and why emotional intuition is just as essential as industry know-how.

If you’ve ever wondered how to become a casting director, how open calls work, or how casting directors make decisions under pressure, this episode is full of generous insight and practical guidance. From stories about game-changing auditions to honest reflections on vulnerability, rejection, and artistic longevity, Peter offers an intimate look at the real work behind finding the right people, not just the “right” look.

In this episode, we cover:

• Peter’s path from aspiring actor to Broadway casting director, and how realizing “performance wasn’t his contribution” led him to his true calling

• What casting directors do day-to-day, including audition prep, agent outreach, callbacks, and creative team collaboration

• How open casting calls (like the one that launched SIX’s Krystal Hernandez to Broadway) uncover unexpected talent

• Why inclusive casting is less about meeting quotas and more about building authentic, cohesive creative rooms

• What actors should know about being remembered down the line, and why a “no” today might lead to a “yes” tomorrow

• The emotional labor of casting: holding space for artists’ dreams while navigating the pressures of high-stakes productions

• How emotional intelligence helps casting professionals balance gut instinct, creative fit, and human care

• Practical advice for standing out in auditions, staying resilient, and showing up as your whole self

Whether you’re a new actor walking into your first EPA, a seasoned performer navigating callbacks, or a creative leader thinking about who’s in the room and why, it’s a powerful reminder that casting isn’t just about roles. It’s about relationships.

Talking with Peter reminded me why casting is so much more than assembling a talented group of performers—it’s about creating spaces where artists feel seen, valued, and set up to thrive. When we center humanity in the audition room, we don’t just build better casts, we build better creative cultures.

What would change in your theater practice if casting felt more like collaboration and less like gatekeeping? Follow @thetrccompany on Instagram for open calls and updates, and stay connected with Peter and his team as they continue building brave, inclusive rooms from the ground up.

Curious how to become a casting director—or what casting directors really look for? Start here.

More About Peter Van Dam

Peter (he/him) is a partner/casting director at The TRC Company in New York. He is the recipient of four Artios Awards for excellence in casting. He joined Tara Rubin Casting in 2018, following a stint as a casting associate at Jim Carnahan Casting/Roundabout Theatre Company. In his early career, Peter worked in the talent department at Innovative Artists and as an assistant to director Lonny Price. He studied at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and holds a BFA in Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. He enjoys teaching classes and workshops at colleges and studios across the nation. He is a proud member of CSA and has served as a Tony Awards voter.

Connect with Peter:

Website

The TRC Company Instagram

Peter's Instagram

Connect with Kira:

@kiratroilo

@artandsoulconsulting

@inclusivestages

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Thanks for joining me on this episode of Inclusive Stages! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help me reach even more theater makers, theater artists, and theater lovers who want to make our industry a better place for everyone.

Thanks to our music composer, Zachary McConnell, and our producer, Leah Bryant.

More about the Inclusive STAGES Podcast

Inclusive STAGES™ Building Healthy Arts Spaces is the podcast for theater makers, creatives, and arts leaders who believe we can build a better industry—one brave, emotionally intelligent, and trauma-informed space at a time. Hosted by Kira Troilo, founder of Art & Soul Consulting, each episode explores what it really takes to create inclusive, healthy creative environments in today’s rapidly changing performing arts landscape.

Whether you're a theater artist, an arts administrator, an educator, a creative leader, or a producer, this show will help you answer big questions like:

What is inclusive leadership in the arts, and how do I practice it?

How can performing arts organizations promote diversity and inclusion?

What does “representation matters” mean in theater and beyond?

How can venues make performances more accessible?

What tools do I need to lead with care—and still make bold, brilliant work?

Through honest conversations, industry insights, and practical tools, Inclusive STAGES™ empowers you to reduce burnout, dismantle harmful norms, and build the kinds of creative spaces where everyone can thrive.

New episodes every week. Follow now and join the movement toward healthier, more sustainable arts spaces.