Award Winning Casting

Chicago Style

Two-time Artios Award winning casting director, Becca McCracken CSA, celebrates her twentieth-year casting! Her career has taken her all over the US casting for theatre, film, television and commercials. Proud to call the Tony Award winning Court Theatre her home for 8 of those years, where she has cast over 30 productions there. A proud member of the Casting Society (CSA), she currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Board. She has dedicated her career to advocating for and celebrating the incredible actors that are based in Chicago.

Theatre

Becca McCracken brings two decades of casting expertise to Chicago's vibrant theatre scene. As the in-house casting director for the Tony Award-winning Court Theatre, she has shaped countless productions across 8 seasons.

Her discerning eyes for both straight plays and musicals along with her deep knowledge of Chicago actors have made her a sought-after collaborator for prestigious companies including Lyric Opera's musical productions, Writers Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, American Blues Theater, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Working with Broadway Playhouse and numerous regional powerhouses, Becca has established herself as a cornerstone of theatrical casting in the Midwest, known for her ability to assemble extraordinary ensembles that create unforgettable theatrical moments across the Midwest.

TV/Film

Becca has helped shape many memorable projects across television and film. Most recently serving as Casting Director for the 2023 TV movie "Swayed," Becca’s extensive career includes work on critically acclaimed series like HBO's "Somebody Somewhere" and Netflix's groundbreaking "Sense8."

Her television portfolio features the long-running Dick Wolf's Chicago franchise, including "Chicago Fire" (57 episodes) and "Chicago P.D." (38 episodes), as well as her contributions to prestigious dramatic series such as "Prison Break," "Boss," and "Empire." She has also had the pleasure of lending her expertise to high-profile films including "Man of Steel," "Divergent," and Steven Soderbergh's "Contagion" and "The Informant!"

We bring a boutique casting experience to every project and provide personalized attention to each session. It doesn’t matter if you're casting a single-episode guest star or building an ensemble for a new series. Equipped for both traditional in-person auditions and virtual casting via Zoom, we make the process seamless regardless of your location. From network television to independent films, we pride ourselves on bringing in versatile performers who bring authenticity and depth to every role. Our extensive talent knowledge ensures we consistently deliver compelling casting choices that elevate your creative vision.

TV/Film Casting

At McCracken Casting, we seamlessly handle both union and non-union commercial projects. Whether you're looking for SAG-AFTRA talent or fresh non-union faces, we manage all contract requirements and talent coordination. We've embraced modern casting needs by offering fully equipped virtual and hybrid casting sessions, allowing clients to join via Zoom from anywhere in the world. Our hybrid approach means we can accommodate both in-person and remote casting calls, ensuring you have access to the perfect talent for your commercial – no matter where you're located.

Commercial Casting

From Chicago’s famous Store Front Theatres to Broadway-caliber productions and innovative regional theater, our casting office excels at connecting exceptional performers with visionary directors. Our team maintains deep connections within the theater community, giving us access to both seasoned professionals and emerging talents who bring fresh energy to contemporary and classical works. Whether casting for a large-scale musical or an intimate black box production, let us help you build an ensemble that will bring your theatrical vision to life and create unforgettable moments on stage.

Theatre Casting

Our casting team specializes in coordinating comprehensive regional talent searches in Chicago and the midwest. When your production needs to cast a wide net, we seamlessly manage the entire process – from initial talent outreach to final callbacks. Our Chicago office provides boots-on-the-ground expertise and deep connections to the city's vibrant performing arts community. Whether you're seeking adult or youth performers, our team can tap into Chicago's rich talent pool or dive deeper into communities to find that raw real performances from unknown actors. All this while maintaining consistent communication with your production team. Let us leverage our regional expertise to find that perfect actor for your project.

Regional Search

We offer voiceover, commercial print and real people casting services, complete with on-site facilities capable of accomodating print look-sees for photographers. For voiceover projects, we have our own booth to make sure that all auditions feel professionally produced. When it comes to real people casting, we shine at discovering genuine, relatable individuals who bring authenticity to your project. Whether you need a polished voiceover professional, authentic personalities sharing their stories, or talent for print campaigns, the Becca McCracken Casting team can handle it all.

Voiceover, Real People

If you would rather schedule auditions, managing sides, coordinating with agents, deal with contracts, and navigate union requirements yourself, we offer customized actor list creation services. Drawing from our deep knowledge of Chicago and Midwest talent, we'll curate a targeted selection of actors tailored to your project's specific needs, complete with headshots, reels, and relevant credits. Whether you're seeking established professionals or fresh faces, our extensive network in the Chicago market allows us to recommend performers across all age ranges and types. We understand the unique character of Midwest talent and can help you discover actors who might not be on the radar of coastal casting directors.

Actor Lists

“All the actors Becca brought into the room were carefully screened and selected, and she showed a broad and commanding knowledge of the pool of Chicago talent. As a director who had not worked in Chicago before, Becca in a sense introduced me to the extraordinary talent Chicago theatre has to offer.”

- Marc Bruni
Broadway Director

“Thank you so much for your brilliant contribution. Everyone is pitch perfect! Thank you for your phenomenal hard work.

- Jay Duplass
Film Director/Writer

“Thank you, Becca. Terrific job. The Chicago bench is deep! Appreciate all your hard work. Love this cast.”

- Bridget Everett
Actor/Writer

“We are so lucky to be working with you and all the incredible Chicago talent. Cant wait to do it again! the world is so dialed in. You have found us the most incredible people!!!!!”

- Hannah Bos
Writer/Producer

Casting Made Easy.

Our office is set up for any type of audition.
In-Person, Live Online, or Hybrid.

Follow our casting journey on instagram

Contact Us

Becca McCracken Casting offers flexible casting packages tailored to your project's scope and needs. Let's schedule a consultation to discuss how Becca and her team can support your creative vision.

With 20 years of experience and trusted relationships with talent agents in the Chicago market and beyond, Becca has cultivated a vast knowledge of top tier talent across film, television, commercials and theater. Whether you're developing a feature, a series, an independent project, commercial or theatrical production, Becca creates a casting environment that allows actors the ability to bring their best work to the audition.

When reaching out, consider including if able:

  • Project title and brief synopsis

  • Character breakdowns

  • Production timeline

  • Budget range

  • Distribution plans (if applicable)

  • Key creative team members

Based in Chicago with additional resources in Los Angels and New York. Virtual casting sessions available worldwide.