A hectic role that fits the bill for Kay

Well most of the area's theatres call on casting director Kay Magson. For 18 years, Kay was casting director at West Yorkshire Playhouse, in Leeds, before turning freelance five years ago.

This year, Kay cast seven Christmas shows and more than 40 other productions throughout the year. And what is really impressive is that she tries her best to see every single show she has cast as well as visiting theatre two or three times a week scouting for talent.

"Going to the theatre and watching television are in my job description. I do say that the only thing I can enjoy and relax properly on television now is football as the rest of the time I am always looking at the actors and seeing if they might be worth checking out for one of the shows I am casting. I watch TV with a pen and a pad beside me jotting down names. It is hard to switch off and relax, you are always on the look out for new talent."

Kay started out as a secretary at the old Leeds Playhouse.

"I used to sit outside audition rooms and tick off names. Then when Jude Kelly took over she asked me what I wanted to do and I said 'casting'." Kay never looked back and has cast hundreds of shows, from musicals and pantomime to Shakespeare and Brecht.

"I put it down to my dad," says Kay, from Pudsey. "He used to watch television with me and we'd always be saying "who are they?" or "what have they been in?". I became interested in watching people and what they could do."

She says casting a play is a collaborative process which means working closely with the director.

"The more you work with people the more you know the type of actors they like. You also build a network of actors and old favourites you like to use, although it is really nice to have some new blood in there as well. I always think that works really well."

After getting a script, Kay says she often has a good idea of the actors she might want to cast and sets about contacting the actors' agents to see if they are free for audition.

"There is always one part in every play that ends up being difficult to cast and it is often one that you don't expect."

Christmas shows can be particularly hard to cast, especially ones that need musicians, as the actors tend to get booked up quickly, so she is often planning from one year to the next.

"It is a case of keeping an eye on the actors you like."

On other occasions she can be given just six weeks to cast a show, which throws up its own challenges and there is also the pressure of directors wanting to cast a big name.

"Big names put bums on seats and sometimes that can be hard," she says matter-of-factly. "At the moment that is particularly important. Luckily, most television actors have a theatre background."

Kay says it is as hard for actors to find work as she has ever known, as films aren't being made. It is especially tough for new actors.

"People don't move on out of things like television soaps because they want the security, so it can be hard for up and coming actors to get a foothold."

After casting a show Kay moves on to her next job. "I never get involved in rehearsals or anything like that, but I do like to try to see the production at some stage."

What does she think of reality television shows such as BBC's How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which fast-track actors into the limelight?

"They are always casting very specific roles and I think it is handled pretty well. If it gets people interested in the theatre then that's a good thing. It also gives work to more than just the winner. All the people that take part end up getting work."

your chance to take the stage

West Yorkshire Playhouse is casting a brand new version of The Wiz to be set in Leeds.

They are looking for talented people from the area aged 16+ to appear in the production at the Quarry Theatre from June 24 to July 16, 2011.

You'll need to have a flair for acting, singing and dancing and if you can play a musical instrument or have another performing skill like juggling, then that's all the better.

In return, WYPH will provide professional coaching from its highly talented team of creatives including director Josette Bushell-Mingo, choreographer Paul J Medford, musical director Warren Wills and the company of professional musicians and actors.

Open auditions will be held on January 29 and bookings are now being taken.

Call the box office on 0113 213 7700.