The Journey from The Clarice to Casting Hollywood’s Stars

From campus productions to Hulu’s biggest series, Lindsey Kasabian ’03 reflects on trusting her instincts and building a career in casting.

By Jessica Weiss ’05

Lindsey Kasabian ’03 still remembers the moment that famed director Ron Howard turned to her after a casting session on a National Geographic project and said, “You’re a really good reader”—industry shorthand for the person who reads opposite actors during auditions. For a former performance major in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) at the University of Maryland, it was a powerful affirmation that she had found her place behind the scenes, helping actors shine.

Today, Kasabian is senior vice president (SVP) of casting for Hulu Originals at Disney, where she oversees a slate of high-profile series and helps shape some of streaming’s most talked-about shows. But her journey from UMD to Hollywood wasn’t a straight shot. After graduation, she worked as a cocktail waitress at celebrity events and temped at entertainment companies before landing her first real break.

We recently caught up with Kasabian. In the excerpt below, she shares how she built her career step by step, what casting actually involves and why it’s important to truly know yourself.

What first drew you to theater, and what was your experience like at UMD?

I always knew I was going to major in theater. It’s what I loved doing growing up and in high school. I am from a small town south of Boston, but I chose Maryland partly because I loved the area—my sister lived in D.C., and I wanted to be near her. The theatre program grew during my time at UMD; I started when it was housed in Tawes Hall, and by junior year we had moved into The Clarice when construction of that building finished. It was exciting to be part of the transition. I loved my classes, the professors, the community—they all made a big impact on me.

At what point did you realize performance wasn’t your path?

I was all in—performance major, musical theater emphasis, doing back-to-back shows. But by senior year, I was questioning whether I actually wanted to pursue acting as a career. I was honestly kind of burnt out. I knew I wanted to stay connected to the industry, but I didn’t know how yet. I moved home, then to Hoboken, and met with anyone in entertainment in New York who would talk to me. I started figuring it out by process of elimination.

So how did you get your foot in the door?

I interned at a nonprofit theater company that helped unpublished playwrights develop new work. My job was to find actors for live table reads, which turned out to be my introduction to casting. I also worked at a temp agency doing event gigs—anything that gave me exposure.

Eventually, through a friend of a friend, I got a job at William Morris Agency in New York, working in special services. I held theater tickets for our clients and got to see a lot of shows. I didn’t want to be an agent, but it was a way in. After a year and a half, I transferred to the L.A. office and worked for the head of TV business affairs. That year was intense—but she promised to help me pivot and find my next step if I stuck it out, and she did. She helped me get into casting.

What led you to your first real casting job?

Through a bunch of informational meetings she set up, I heard about an opening at 20th Century Fox TV as an administrative assistant. I faxed my résumé, as we did back in 2006, and they had already chosen someone else. But the hiring exec saw that I went to Maryland, and her best friend had been a theater major there. That connection got me an interview, and I got the job. I’ve been with the same team ever since. When Disney acquired us, I became part of Freeform and eventually Hulu Originals. It’ll be 19 years this fall.

What exactly does casting involve?

At its core, casting is about finding the right actors for each role—but it’s much more than that. We read scripts, watch auditions, run chemistry reads, and work with producers, directors and writers to shape characters. I get to watch a lot of television, which is perfect for me. Even as a student, I was always watching performances and breaking them down—onstage and on screen. Now, it’s literally part of my job.

A big part of my job is also negotiating deals with agents and lawyers once someone’s selected. Now, as SVP, I oversee all Hulu Originals scripted shows. I’m not as hands-on or in every audition room, but I’m deeply involved in creative decisions and mentoring the next generation of execs.

What makes someone stand out in an audition?

You know it when you see it. Some actors just pop off the screen. It’s subjective, of course, but it’s also about instinct. I can usually tell a minute into an audition if it’s working. My training as a performer helps me in those moments too. I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the table.

Chemistry is huge, especially in ensemble shows. We do “chemistry reads” to see how people interact. Casting isn’t just about individuals—it’s about how the whole cast works together.

You’ve worked on some major shows. What’s been a highlight?

“Homeland” was my “baby project.” It was the first pilot I cast after being promoted. My boss handed it to me almost as a trial, but I built great relationships with the creators and was deeply involved. Claire Danes was always the top choice [for Carrie Mathison], but casting Brody was tough—we had to fight hard for Damian Lewis. That show got picked up, ran eight seasons, and won all the awards. It truly launched my career.

Another full-circle moment was working with fellow UMD alum Natasha Rothwell ’03 on “How to Die Alone.” We graduated the same year and were always auditioning together in college. Years later, I saw her perform at the Montreal “Just for Laughs Festival,” and I messaged her right away. Fast forward to 2021—I was overseeing casting for Onyx Collective at Hulu, which uplifts voices and creators of color, and they made a deal with her. We immediately greenlit a show for her, and I was able to work with her and help her cast it. Every time we were in the room, she’d say, “Lindsey and I were theater majors together!” It was so special.

What advice would you give to students or new grads?

It’s all about networking—meet people, talk to everyone. Try everything. That’s how I figured out what I wanted to do—and what I didn’t.

Also, know yourself. I realized I needed stability and structure. I’m a Type A person—I wanted a salary, health insurance, and acting doesn’t necessarily give you that. Casting gave me a way to stay creative and connected to the art form I love, but within a career path that fits who I am.

And one more thing: Don’t box yourself in. Studying performance so deeply made me attuned to the choices actors make—it definitely still helps me in casting. I just wish I’d left a little more room for other areas too, like business. It all worked out, but I want students today to know there’s more than one version of success in this industry.