New Year, New Season of Actors With Issues! For our first episode of the year, we are joined by former casting director and current acting and audition coach Sam Stiglitz, also known on Instagram and TikTok as @AuditionProLA. Sam is widely known on social media for her informative short-form videos providing tips and insights on the casting process, auditions, and debunking casting and acting myths. She’s also not afraid to oust anyone who is intentionally spreading misinformation or sharing some scammy practices in their own videos geared toward actors.
Sam got her start as a theatre performer with aspirations of becoming a Broadway performer. When she realized she wasn’t the biggest fan of New York City (no offense taken!), she made the move to Los Angeles, and after interning at a casting office, began her career in casting. Since then, she’s worked with some of the biggest offices in LA, started her own office and made the transition to coaching clients.
“I found with having my own office the same thing that I found with acting: I don’t like promoting myself. I didn’t like having to call executives and say ‘hey I’m here, gimme a show!’” she shared. So, Sam instead turned to coaching actors for their auditions on a referral-only basis, reaching out to agents and managers to connect her to their clients, eventually becoming one of the go-to audition coaches for actors.
Sam offers so much insight on everything from demo reels and headshots, to the casting process and what she’s learned and misses most about working in the casting department. Watch our full conversation above, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
