Michael Cassara Biography

Michael Cassara is a Director, Casting Director and Producer based in New York City and dedicated to developing and fostering the growth of new musicals and musical theatre artists.

Since the formation of Michael Cassara Casting in 2003, recent projects have included Stephen Schwartz's Captain Louie (National Tour), The Gig (York Theatre Concert/Cast Recording on JAY Records with William Parry, Michele Pawk, Karen Ziemba, etc.), Red (2005 Richard Rodgers Award Winner, York Theatre workshop, starring Alison Fraser and Mary Testa), Barnstormer (by Douglas J. Cohen and Cheryl L. Davis, dir. Jerry Dixon), The Unauthorized Autobiography Of Samantha Brown (Makor, w/ Michael Arden and Celia Keenan-Bolger), Joy (off-Broadway and workshops), 9 shows in the New York Musical Theatre Festival and countless readings and workshops. He presently serves as the resident casting director for the Epic Repertory Theatre Company, the Hinton Battle Theatre Laboratory and the Kitchen Theatre Co. of Ithaca, NY. Before opening his own casting office, Michael had worked in casting with Johnson-Liff Casting Associates, Ltd., Cameron Mackintosh, Inc. and the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Michael directed The Songs Of Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk, selling out Manhattan's Opia lounge starring Michael Arden, Alison Fraser, Mandy Gonzalez, Kate Shindle and many others. He is presently at work directing and conceiving a new project featuring the songs of Judd Woldin, composer of the TonyŽ-Award winning musical, Raisin. As a producer, he recently co-produced the critically acclaimed premiere cast recording of Timothy Huang's musical, The View From Here, starring Shonn Wiley. In August, 2006, Michael made his theatrical producing debut with the world premiere of Hermanas, a play by Monica Yudovich which received a completely sold-out FringeNYC run and transferred for an extended run at off-Broadway's Theatre Row.

Originally a performer, Michael is a native Clevelander and a graduate of the musical theatre program at Otterbein College. He regularly teaches and lectures on musical theatre and the entertainment industry, in New York City and throughout the world. For more information, please visit http://www.michaelcassara.net