top casting agents

For Theater?

Telsey

Telsey, Cindy Tolan, Tara Rubin, Jay Binder, and Jim Carnahan are the big ones that I can think of off the top of my head right now.

How do these agencies work? Are they fielding talent and then recommending them to directors/producers? If you auditioned for one show in particular, could they realistically think you're "right" for another show and ask you to come in to audition for another show? Thanks.

I'm not sure if the screen and theatre processes are the same, but here on the West Coast it goes a little something like this:

1) You find a manger/agent (preferably both)
2) Your representation submits you for auditions
3) The casting director casts the project

Casting directors will often call the same people in over and over again, though. If you've had stellar auditions with them before, they know you have a higher chance of being "the one," and they'll call people in from agencies or managers they have good relationships with.

Hope that helps.