Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 Casting Assistant Training
This spring, MediaMKRS partnered with Theatrical Teamsters Local 817, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, AMC Networks, LaGuardia Community College, and The Casting Society to launch the inaugural Casting Assistant Training Program, preparing emerging professionals for casting careers.
As demand grows for skilled below-the-line talent, the program expands access to careers in casting while strengthening the entertainment industry's future workforce through union-connected training and industry partnerships.
Learning from Industry Casting Directors
Over the course of 14 intensive classes, participants gained firsthand insight into the world of casting under the instruction of accomplished casting directors and industry professionals. With a curriculum developed in partnership with The Casting Society, the program combined practical industry knowledge with work-readiness training to prepare participants for careers in casting and related entertainment industry roles
This collaboration's impact extends far beyond the classroom. A defining feature of the program was the opportunity for students to learn directly from renowned industry leaders whose work has shaped some of film and television’s most recognizable titles. Those leaders, including, Erica Hart, whose credits include Black Mirror, The Equalizer, and Survival of the Thickest; Gayle Keller, who worked on Hustlers, The Big Sick, and The King of Staten Island; and Jodi Angstreich, whose credits include the A Quiet Place films and Netflix's Emmy-nominated series Unbelievable, shared their expertise with participants through workshops, mentorship, and candid conversations about building careers in entertainment, reinforcing the program's broader reach.
Participants completed a rigorous curriculum, built professional networks, and gained valuable exposure to union-affiliated career pathways, demonstrating the power of cross-industry collaboration.
With support from Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, AMC Networks, LaGuardia Community College, participants were granted access to high-quality training while receiving stipends that helped reduce barriers to participation.
“It really gave me the tools and resources to envision myself being successful in this career. I hope to take this opportunity and motivate myself to pursue casting.” - Abby Lee, Casting Assistant Graduate
"Speaking with professionals in the field helped me feel more capable of pursuing this career path. Their honesty about the highs and lows gave me real perspective on what it takes to succeed." - Malaak Al-Maryam, Casting Assistant Graduate
A graduation ceremony was held at LaGuardia Community College on March 20th, marking the successful completion of the program’s first inaugural class, and celebrating the achievements of participants who committed themselves to building careers behind the scenes in film, television, and entertainment.
MediaMKRS is proud to have supported this initiative and is grateful to all supporting companies and to many contributing industry professionals whose expertise and dedication helped make the program a success by connecting training directly to career opportunities.
Post-Program Outcomes
Graduates of the inaugural cohort have secured positions across the entertainment industry at companies including Netflix, A24, CBS, Paramount, FX Networks, BBC, Lionsgate Entertainment, AMC Networks, and The Walt Disney Company.
Union Outcomes
The program has also created pathways into organized labor, with graduates joining the Theatrical Teamsters Local 817. These placements highlight the program’s commitment to creating sustainable, union-affiliated career opportunities and strengthening access to long-term employment within the industry.