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Unknown Actors Shine in Surreal 'Chair Company'
12 Jun
Summary
- Casting director sought unknown actors for surreal roles.
- Emphasis placed on interesting looks alongside acting skill.
- Veteran actor Joseph Tudisco found a breakthrough role at 76.
The casting for the workplace comedy 'The Chair Company' was a complex endeavor, driven by co-creators Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin's vision for a uniquely absurd world. Casting director Gayle Keller sought performers who not only could act but also possessed distinct and interesting physical appearances, often described in unusual terms like 'Denthead.'
Keller's approach involved scouting for actors capable of grounding surreal characters in reality, a technique honed from her Emmy-nominated work on 'Louie.' She found many talents within improv troupes, auditioning them in strange scenes to gauge their 'it' factor and ability to live in the moment.
A notable success was casting 76-year-old Joseph Tudisco as Mike Santini, a complex character blending menace with unexpected sweetness. This discovery offered Tudisco a major career opportunity, highlighting Keller's passion for finding and nurturing lesser-known actors for significant roles.
