CASTING INTENSIVE
Nicole Arbusto
Nicole Arbusto
A Two Week Casting Intensive with Nicole Arbusto
We are excited to welcome acclaimed Casting Director Nicole Arbusto to The Last Acting Studio for a special two-day LAS Casting Intensive.
Nicole Arbusto is the casting director behind HBO's Peabody Award-winning comedy Somebody Somewhere, the Independent Spirit Award-winning film His Three Daughters, the critically acclaimed feature French Exit, HBO's Room 104, and numerous acclaimed independent films and television series. Her work includes frequent collaborations with the Duplass Brothers and some of today's most distinctive actor-driven storytellers. Though she rarely does workshops, we are thrilled to welcome Nicole to LAS for this special Casting Intensive and the opportunity to learn from an artist whose work has helped shape some of the most compelling independent stories of the last decade.
About the Intensive
Unlike a traditional casting workshop, LAS Casting Intensives are designed as an extended conversation between actors and casting directors.
During the first session, actors share material they love and feel connected to. This gives Nicole the opportunity to experience each actor's work, instincts, personality, and artistic voice.
For the second session, Nicole will assign material she believes is appropriate for each actor and review the resulting self-tapes with the class. This unique two-week structure allows actors to experience not only how a casting director sees their work, but also how that work translates through the audition process and onto the screen.
Week One (In Person)
Bring in a scene or monologue that you love and that represents you as an artist. Material may be drawn from film, television, or theatre.
Scene Time Limits — Please Read Carefully
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Solo work, including a monologue or scene with a reader, must stay within a 3-minute limit.
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Scenes must stay within time limits to ensure the event runs smoothly.
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Please bring an extra copy of your sides for the reader, with their lines highlighted.
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Please also bring a stapled copy of your headshot and résumé.
Week Two (In Person)
Nicole will assign audition material tailored to each actor. Actors will prepare and submit a self-tape prior to class. During the session, Nicole will review the work, offer feedback and adjustments, and discuss the choices, strengths, and opportunities she sees from a casting perspective.
As a reminder, this intensive is offered for educational purposes only. Participation does not guarantee auditions, representation, or employment opportunities.
Space is intentionally limited to preserve the intimacy of the work.
LAS Students: $175
Non-LAS Students: $250
Limited Capacity.
Nicole's Bio:
Nicole Arbusto is an acclaimed independent casting director, producer, and member of the Casting Society of America (C.S.A.). With a career spanning over twenty years across New York and Los Angeles, Nicole has established herself as a champion of character-driven storytelling and a trusted collaborator for top-tier filmmakers and major networks. She was recently honored with the Robert Altman Award at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards for her work on Azazel Jacobs' His Three Daughters.
In television, Nicole has cast major projects for HBO, Netflix, and SkyTV. Her series-casting credits include the critically adored Somebody Somewhere, all four seasons of the Duplass Brothers' anthology series Room 104, the animated series Animals, and Doll & Em. She also cast the 2023 Annie Award-winning animated event series Oni: Thunder God's Tale.
Her notable feature film credits showcase a rich history in independent cinema, including French Exit (starring Michelle Pfeiffer), The Lovers (starring Debra Winger), Terri, The Drop, Clementine, The Tao of Steve, and Rob Zombie's 31.
Originally from New York, Nicole graduated from Smith College. She began her journey in the theater, a passion she maintains through her 12-year association casting and developing new works for the Ojai Playwrights Conference. Nicole frequently shares her industry insights with the community, regularly participating in SAG-AFTRA Foundation education programs and serving on the board of the community organization Selah.
Workshop Details:
When:
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Saturdays, 10 am- 1 pm
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June: 20 & 27
Price:
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Current Students: $175
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Non-Students: $250