ABout Stephanie Klapper Casting
Stephanie Klapper Casting has been working with creative teams and casting projects for over 25 years. Led by Stephanie, the award-winning SKC has cast hundreds of projects in New York, regionally and around the world. Born out of Stephanie’s love of directing, working with creative people, and making impactful connections, SKC approaches every project with the commitment to collaboration with fellow artists. Understanding that each work possesses its own individual facets and unique requirements, SKC brings a commitment and passion for finding the right people and guiding a piece from concept to reality. With innovative thinking and problem-solving ability, SKC brings respect, care, and integrity to every project we cast.
The kinds of work we cast are wide ranging. Premiers of new plays and musicals, established pieces that are classical and contemporary, innovative films, beloved T.V shows, and ground-breaking audio streaming works. Our work spans New York, regional and international theater, concert venues, independent film projects, and multiple streaming platforms.
Stephanie Klapper Casting is dedicated to inclusiveness, equity, diversity, and the creation of opportunities for emerging talent.
STEPHANIE KLAPPER (She/her)
Stephanie Klapper (Casting Director) is a native New Yorker. Born in the Bronx and raised in Greenwich Village.
Stephanie’s parents, ardent theatre and concert goers, ignited her love of theatre at the age of 4 with an Off-Off Broadway production of Jean Giraudoux’s The Apollo of Bellac, and not long after, Fiddler on the Roof starring Zero Mostel. Stephanie’s father played the clarinet, and her mother played the harp. Their home was always filled with music and Stephanie joined in by playing the flute. Her parents also instilled a love of traveling which expanded her world and informed her approach to life and the creative arts.
A graduate of SUNY College at Purchase, Stephanie majored in film before helping to start the university’s Drama Studies program. While there she discovered a love for directing and working with people. Moving back home to New York City, Stephanie’s first professional gig was as a rehearsal assistant to the pianist for the workshop production of Nine the Musical. She was subsequently invited by the producers to work as their assistant on multiple shows including Cloud 9, the Broadway production of Nine the Musical and The Tap Dance Kid. This began her journey into the New York City professional theater scene where Stephanie worked Off-Broadway as an Assistant Director and Director for several years- before finding her true calling as a Casting Director and opening her own company.
Drawn to the intricacy and labor evident in handmade crafts such as hand painted china, illustrated books, and colorful glass sculptures- Stephanie takes great joy in close examination and finding what makes each piece special and unique. She brings the same passion and attention to detail to her casting process, which is further animated by her love of music, theatre, film, language, and the connecting of talented people to one another.
Through her work on several committees with the Casting Society, Stephanie is helping to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business as well as mentoring young artists and arts professionals. She has been an adjunct professor with NYU New Studio on Broadway for 8 years. She is also a mentor with the NYU Tisch Drama Women’s Mentorship program. Stephanie works with the Syracuse Tepper Semester immersive program as a mentor and teacher with the casting program. In addition, Stephanie is a mentor with the Fordham High School for the Arts and works to introduce the students to the casting profession as well as exposing them to all manners of performing arts experiences by bringing in other industry professionals to give them a wide range of knowledge and experience. Stephanie is a guest teacher with several universities including, but not limited to: USC, The Lee Strasberg Institute, UNCSA, CCM, University of Michigan, University of Oklahoma, Syracuse University, FSU/ASOLO and Ohio University.
Stephanie is dedicated to the growth of arts education, the development of new talent, and the reimagining of established works. She has been nominated and won multiple Casting Society Artios Awards.
Stephanie is a co-host of the popular podcast “Someone’s Thunder” where she and her co-host chat about film, TV, theatre, life, career paths, and creativity exploring each of their guests’ unique journeys, experiences, and “thunder”.
Stephanie continues to be inspired by her wonderful husband, two great kids, two rambunctious cats, and a very playful rescue dog.
EMMA BALK (She/Her)
Emma Balk’s passion for casting came from a young age, watching shows like Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods and SMASH, and being an active arts patron and performer. She is a graduate of Temple University having majored in both Tourism and Hospitality Management and Theatre. Emma is most passionate about casting readings for new musicals and working with regional theatres on fulfilling the needs of their season.
Joe Piserchio (He/him)
Joe Piserchio is thrilled to join the team at Stephanie Klapper Casting! He began his casting career as an intern for Pat McCorkle and the rest of the team at McCorkle Casting. At McCorkle Casting, Joe worked on projects for George Street Playhouse, Barrington Stage Company, CATF, and more! Joe then interned for Judy Bowman Casting, before joining as a Casting Assistant! With Judy Bowman Casting, he worked on projects for Dorset Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, Kitchen Theatre, Sharon Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center and more. Joe also worked on a few short films with Judy and assisted on the Hallmark Mystery Movie “Redemption in Cherry Springs”. He was most recently the Casting Coordinator for Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, FL. Joe believes in making the audition room collaborative and inviting and looks forward to working with this team!
Hershey v. millner (they/them)
Hershey V. Millner began their career in casting as an apprentice at McCarter Theatre Center, before joining the staff of the Alliance Theatre. They received their MA in Religious Studies with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University and BAs in Archaeology and Religious Studies from Lycoming College. Hershey is particularly passionate about new work and is excited to join the SKC team.
Caitelin mccoy (She/her)
A native New Yorker, Caitelin McCoy received a B.A in Drama and Psychology from Kenyon College in 2017. Shortly after returning home, Caitelin began working with Stephanie Klapper Casting as an intern and after a year moved into an assistant position. Originally an actor, Caitelin loves being a part of the SKC team. Some of Caitelin’s favorite projects to work on have been Candide with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Once On This Island with Cincinnati Playhouse and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Caitelin is the social media manager for Stephanie Klapper Casting.
Emma and London
Emma and London are so happy to be the Stephanie Klapper Casting Office Dogs! Their favorite spot in the office is the center of the rug so they can be a part of all the action. Emma loves coming to the office dressed as our office mascot: Wonder Woman!