New Board Looks to Promote Industry Contribution and Continue Pursuit for Unionization For Immediate Release
March 2, 2004

Contact:
Dave Linden
323-860-8811


The Casting Society of America (C.S.A.) is pleased to announce the appointment of its newly elected Board of Directors for 2004. The Board aims to seek Industry recognition for its contributions, continue its quest for unionization, and strengthen its relationship with SAG/AFTRA.
Exemplifying influential experience in the field of theatrical casting, the new Board includes:

Officers:
Richard Hicks, President (Igby Goes Down, Christopher Guest's A Mighty Wind)
Katy Wallin, Vice-President (Finder’s Fee, a remake of Where the Red Fern Grows)
Ruth Lambert, Treasurer (Greetings From Tucson, Monster's Inc.)
Lisa Beach, Secretary (About Schmidt, Girl, Interrupted)


Board of Directors:
Patrick Baca (LA Law-The Movie, Stripmall series)
Carol Goldwasser (Inside Schwartz, 3-South)
Tracy Lilienfield (Will & Grace, Good Morning, Miami)
Robert McGee (Greetings from Tucson, The Virgin Suicides)
Jeff Meshel (VP of Casting, NBC)
Rick Millikan (The X Files, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch)
Dawn Steinberg (Senior Vice President of Talent and Casting at Sony Pictures Television)
Megan McConnell (The Practice & Alias Pilot)
Sharon Soble (Coupling (NBC/Universal) & Untitled Suzanne Martin pilot)
Ronnie Yeskel (Igby Goes Down & ZigZag)


New York:

Rosalie Joseph (VP, ABC Primetime Casting, East Coast)
Cindi Rush (The Pagans Abingdon Theatre Company, Casting Director of the Stamford Center For The Arts - 2003-04 season)
Bernard Telsey, Vice-President: New York (Hairspray (Broadway), Pieces of April)



“The right actor in the right role makes all the difference,” said Richard Hicks, President, C.S.A., “and the board and I plan to do our best to ensure that the Industry recognizes the vital contribution we make to the success of a film, television show or play.”

Unionization is another fundamental goal of the C.S.A. board that will “make our community strong, cohesive and inclusive,” stated Hicks. “There is a strength in unity that we have only begun to realize and use for our own good.”

Board members are chosen from the general C.S.A. membership. A casting director must have two years of main title credit and be recommended for membership by two other members. Each Board member can serve two consecutive two-year terms.

Collectively, the Board is responsible for managing the organization’s finances, determining policy and membership guidelines. The Board also oversees all plans pertaining to the Artios Awards, the Diversity Committee and the annual charity event as well as organizing social events for the group, choosing the winner of the Hollywood Film Festival Casting Award, electing a Tony voter, and assisting casting directors with the negotiations on their deals.

For further information on the Casting Society of America, please call (323) 463-1925 or at www.castingsociety.com.

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