A Bit About Mara.
Mara has worked professionally as an actress, casting director and teacher. She cast the series Gilmore Girls, MOWs, Indie film, theatre and years of pilots that never saw the light of day for 16 years. Mara gave Oscar winner and Golden Globe nominee Rami Malek his first television acting job on "Gilmore Girls" as well as Golden Globe nominee Caitriona Balfe and Hannah Simone their first professional acting jobs in the Warner Bros. digital series "H+." Chris Pine credits Mara for being his introduction to the LA industry and getting him his first agent. She currently splits her time between Chicago and Los Angeles.
From 2008-2012 she ran her own professional actor's collective which offered eclectic acting and writing class content. Some actor members included Jerrika Hinton, Katie Lowes, Elizabeth Chomko and Sean Gunn.
In 2017 she became an adjunct faculty member in the BFA Acting For Film and Television Department at the performing arts college Hussian College In Studio (formerly known as Studio School).
Chicago's Collaboraction Theatre--Sketchbook Series produced three of her short plays in the years 2002, 2007 and 2008.
During her early acting career, she was nominated for a Jeff Citation, Actress in a Principle role, for Griffin Theatre's INDEPENDENCE and shared a Jeff Citation win for BEST ENSEMBLE with Shattered Globe's THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.
Testimonials.
ALISSA DEAN
Mara Casey gets actors. Taking her class was one of the best things I did for my career as it freed me up in ways I didn't even realize I needed. She is fun, collaborative, and pushes you to deepen your work by creating an environment that inspires creativity and play.
AMY STEWART
Mara Casey is able to get to the core of an actor’s own unique instincts. You learn to get out of your head and trust your own voice so that your work is authentic and interesting—Plus her class is a supportive, positive and collaborative space to take risks and explore choices with the material.
KARINA LOGUE
Mara is my go-to acting advisor and has been for years. Her class afforded me opportunities to grow as an actor and performer. Mara introduces varied points of view & approaches which kept the class exciting, informative and fun. The atmosphere in her class is welcoming, encouraging and inspiring. I felt safe when stretching myself and therefore was able to take bigger risks. Her years of experience as an actor and casting director afford her a deep understanding of the world of acting.