Casting Society of America (CSA)
The professional association representing theatrical casting directors in film, television, and theatre across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
Overview
The Casting Society of America (CSA) is the professional association representing casting directors working in film, television, theatre, and new media across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Founded in 1982, the CSA has grown to more than 600 members worldwide and is the primary professional organization for the casting community, advocating for the recognition of casting as a distinct and significant creative contribution to film and television production.
Unlike most of the other organizations in this directory, the CSA is neither a labor union nor an honorary invitation-only society. It is an open professional association for working casting directors who meet membership qualifications, and it does not negotiate collective bargaining agreements. The CSA's "CSA" designation -- which appears after members' names in screen credits -- signals professional affiliation and peer recognition rather than union membership.
Membership and Qualifications
CSA membership requires demonstrated experience as a casting director on qualifying productions. Applicants submit their credits and professional history for review by a membership committee. Once admitted, members are entitled to use the "CSA" designation in their credits and marketing materials. The organization has long advocated for consistent on-screen casting credit -- historically, casting directors were often not credited on productions despite their significant creative contribution.
The CSA's international membership reflects the global nature of the contemporary casting profession, with members working across multiple countries and international co-productions. The organization's non-US chapters in Canada, the UK, Australia, and other territories provide regional representation alongside the US headquarters.
Artios Awards
The CSA presents the Artios Awards annually, recognizing outstanding achievement in casting across theatrical features, television, theatre, and commercials. The Artios Awards are named after the Greek word for "perfectly fitted" and are widely regarded as the most significant honors in the casting community. Award categories cover large-budget features, low-budget features, episodic drama, comedy series, limited series, and additional specialized categories.
What Filmmakers Should Know
For directors and producers, the "CSA" designation in a casting director's credits signals professional affiliation and commitment to industry standards. CSA members are bound by the organization's code of ethics, which prohibits practices like charging actors fees for auditions -- a protection that directors and producers benefit from knowing when working with casting departments.
For aspiring casting directors, CSA membership provides the professional network, educational programming, and peer recognition that define a career in professional casting. Understanding the pathway to CSA membership -- through associate or full membership based on qualifying credits -- is important for casting professionals building their careers.
See Also
For how casting relates to SAG-AFTRA performer agreements, see SAG-AFTRA in this directory. For the Artios Awards in the context of industry recognition, see Film Awards in this directory.
