Lisa and David talk with award-winning casting director Suzanne Goddard-Smythe about bringing your best to auditions, finding inspiration in classic performances, and what she looks for when casting the young actor.

This week’s Mailbag question: “How can I help my young actor prepare for an audition that requires an accent or dialect?”

SUZANNE GODDARD-SMYTHE

An Emmy nominated Casting Director for RAVEN’S HOME, Suzanne has worked in casting since 1998. She has cast network series such as BECKER, TITUS, GIRLFRIENDS, THE GAME, MALIBU COUNTRY as well as streaming and cable series such as WAREHOUSE 13, LIV & MADDIE, KC UNDERCOVER, THE WHO WAS SHOW?, SCHOOL OF ROCK, NO GOOD NICK, COUNTRY COMFORT and THAT GIRL LAY LAY.

Suzanne also was a casting director of the original HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL in 2013-14 playing in Los Angeles and Off-Broadway.

Video Games with Quantic Dream include BEYOND: TWO SOULS w/ Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe; DETROIT: BECOME HUMAN with Jesse Williams, Bryan Dechart, Clancy Brown; and STAR WARS: ECLIPSE.

Suzanne is a graduate of the UCLA Department of Theatre Arts.

THE YOUNG ACTOR WORKSPACE was born out of a single request — a mom who was looking for help with an audition for her son. At the time, the young actor was doing a play with Lisa Picotte and David Kaufman. They were both happy to share their personal insight and advice on how to approach the particularly difficult audition material. He booked the job. Word of mouth ensued and a studio was born. In the past 20 years, Lisa and David have worked with hundreds of young actors, both in weekly classes and private coaching. Some of the young actors who have studied and coached with them have gone on to tremendous success — Millie Bobby Brown, Taylor Lautner, Rico Rodriguez, Raini Rodriguez, Grace Kaufman, Tanner Buchanan, Haley Ramm, Brenna D’Amico, Bobby Soto, just to name a few. While these young actors’ success is a point of pride for Lisa and David, they are just as proud of the many other young actors who are also working regularly, or simply gaining the skills to go out into the world feeling confident in their ability to speak in front of and honestly engage with others in whatever paths they eventually choose. While the studio continues to thrive, Lisa is now a sought-after set coach for young actors. She has worked for ABC, CBS, Showtime, Apple TV Plus and Disney among others.

Instagram: @lisapicotteworkspace

Facebook: @lisapicotteworkspace

Website: www.youngactorworkspace.com