Charting Your Path with Casting Director Stacy Clark
Episode snapshot
Former elite gymnast and pro circus artist Stacy Clark ( Former Director of Casting at Cirque du Soleil) joins me to unpack how artists actually get seen, get hired, and build careers that fit their lives. We talk personalized career paths (with or without circus school), where to network so it counts, the video materials that make casting care, and how to stay on the radar—while being a great human to work with.
What you’ll learn
- There’s no single “right” path. Map the route that fits your strengths, timing, and life context.
- Clarity first, outreach second. Know your end game so your networking and submissions are strategic.
- Video is the driver. What reels help you get noticed (and what never gets used to hire).
- Range vs. identity. Show elastic range without being “everything to everyone.”
- Stay visible while working. Update casting and contacts without going radio silent.
- Humans hire humans. Reliability, communication, and presence are tie-breakers.
Conversation highlights (guide, not strict timestamps)
- 01:00 — Debunking the “magic door” myth: many paths into the industry
- 06:30 — Self-assessment without comparison: defining your strengths + end game
- 12:40 — Where to show up (festivals, hubs, digital) and how to network with intention
- 20:15 — Your materials: teaser vs. full act vs. general demo (and when to use each)
- 28:10 — Showing range the smart way (elasticity without losing your voice)
- 35:00 — Submitting while on contract: when it’s strategic vs. a time-waster
- 41:20 — Staying on the radar: simple update cadence that respects everyone’s time
- 48:00 — The “good human” factor: coachability, follow-through, and fit
Stacy’s quick wins
- Make them care: Lead with the video that best proves how you perform—not just what you can do.
- Tailor, don’t spray: Curate submissions to the actual need; show why you’re a fit.
- Keep a living intro: A tight, practiced 20–30s self-intro (and a short written bio) ready to go.
- Update light, but regular: Short, no-ask emails when you wrap, start, or become available.
Action steps for this week
- Define your aim: Write your current “end game” in one sentence.
- Audit your video kit: Ensure you have (a) a full uncut act, (b) a clean general demo, (c) a short teaser.
- Draft your 30s intro: Who you are, what you do, what makes it you.
- List 5 touchpoints: Festivals, studios, or decision-makers to update or meet in the next 30 days.
About Stacy Clark
Stacy is a creative performance strategist, freelance casting director, career coach, and artistic advisor. She’s cast for premier circus/live-entertainment companies worldwide, works 1:1 with artists on act design and career mapping
Thanks so much for listening to The Artist Behind the Art.
This podcast exists to support performers in building sustainable, aligned, and castable careers — beyond just the skills.
🎙 Follow the podcast on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theartistbehindtheart/
🎭 Connect with me + explore mentorship opportunities:
https://www.instagram.com/arete.actdevelopment/
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another artist who needs to hear it. And if you’d like to help this community grow, leaving a quick review goes a long way in helping more performers find these conversations.
And remember — you already have what it takes.
The question is: are you ready to prove it to yourself?
Until next time — show up big and own the stage.
