Blab Entertainment
Backstage Unveils Nationwide Casting Calls for Film, TV, and Digital Projects in 2026
Backstage, the industry‑wide casting platform owned by Cast & Crew, announced a sweeping roster of open roles for film, television, and digital projects across the United States on 22 June 2026. The update, distributed through the media‑distribution service Stacker, lists 15 distinct projects—ranging from feature films and vertical series to documentary series and YouTube‑style productions—each with detailed character descriptions, age ranges, maximum pay, and audition locations.
Founded in 1960 as a print magazine, Backstage has evolved into a digital hub that hosts more than 15,000 casting calls and offers editorial content on career development. Its latest release reaffirms the platform’s role as a central meeting point for performers and behind‑the‑scenes talent.
The headline‑grabbers in the current slate come from two vertical series. "The Tarot Oracle" is looking for a female lead, Astra Wisdom (18‑25), and a male lead, Jack Bennett (23‑30), with a top salary of $4,800. Production will take place in Baldwin Park and Los Angeles, California. A similar pay scale appears in "Lights Out: Who’s Out," a thriller series that casts a male lead, Richard (40‑50), a female lead, Mia (25‑30), and a male lead, Liam (25‑30), also up to $4,800. Auditions for this project are open worldwide.
Feature films dominate the remainder of the list. "Love in the Wind" seeks two leads—Luke (male, 18‑30) and Savannah (female, 18‑30)—with a maximum fee of $1,000. The shoot will move between Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. "Ghost" offers background and photo‑double work for two male actors, one Black and one White/Latino, capped at $262. Casting for this project is concentrated in the New York metropolitan area.
The "Untitled Friendship Feature Film" and "School Jam" target child actors. The former requires two female leads aged 6‑12, paying up to $1,514, while the latter seeks supporting roles for Zara, Olivia, and Diego, all 14‑15, with locations in New York City, Philadelphia, and Jersey City.
Documentary and scripted series projects also appear. "Friends with Biases" invites real‑people participants aged 21‑55, offering up to $1,600 and casting nationwide. "Ex‑Libris" and "Aishah Sofey Skit" cast lead female roles and stunt or bodyguard positions, respectively, with pay up to $400 and $500. "The Gilded Age" Season 4 lists background extras for speech attendees, paying up to $187, with locations in New York City, Jersey City, Brooklyn, and Queens.
The "YouTube Video Series" and "New Dating Show" illustrate the growing overlap between traditional media and online platforms. The former offers day‑player and background roles in Los Angeles, paying up to $900, while the latter seeks real‑people participants nationwide.
Several projects are explicitly non‑SAG‑AFTRA covered, such as the background roles in "The Gilded Age" and the extras for "Ghost." This distinction is important for actors seeking union representation, as it affects pay scales, residuals, and working conditions.
The breadth of locations—from California and Texas to New York, New Jersey, and nationwide—highlights the continued demand for on‑location talent across the country. For actors and crew members, the list provides a snapshot of current hiring trends and the types of roles that are in demand. The inclusion of vertical series underscores the industry’s shift toward short‑form, mobile‑optimized content, while the presence of traditional feature films and documentary series shows that conventional formats remain active.
Backstage’s release comes at a time when casting platforms are increasingly central to talent discovery. The platform’s integration with industry databases and its real‑time updates give performers a practical tool for locating opportunities that match their age, experience, and location preferences. As the entertainment industry continues to diversify its output across streaming, theatrical, and digital channels, such listings will remain a key resource for those pursuing careers in acting and production.
In summary, the 22 June 2026 Backstage casting list offers a wide array of roles across multiple media formats and locations. Actors can find opportunities ranging from high‑paying lead roles in vertical series to background work in feature films. The list also signals the ongoing demand for both union and non‑union talent, reflecting the industry’s complex labor landscape. As production schedules for these projects move forward, interested performers should review the specific role requirements and audition dates posted on Backstage’s website.
Founded in 1960 as a print magazine, Backstage has evolved into a digital hub that hosts more than 15,000 casting calls and offers editorial content on career development. Its latest release reaffirms the platform’s role as a central meeting point for performers and behind‑the‑scenes talent.
The headline‑grabbers in the current slate come from two vertical series. "The Tarot Oracle" is looking for a female lead, Astra Wisdom (18‑25), and a male lead, Jack Bennett (23‑30), with a top salary of $4,800. Production will take place in Baldwin Park and Los Angeles, California. A similar pay scale appears in "Lights Out: Who’s Out," a thriller series that casts a male lead, Richard (40‑50), a female lead, Mia (25‑30), and a male lead, Liam (25‑30), also up to $4,800. Auditions for this project are open worldwide.
Feature films dominate the remainder of the list. "Love in the Wind" seeks two leads—Luke (male, 18‑30) and Savannah (female, 18‑30)—with a maximum fee of $1,000. The shoot will move between Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. "Ghost" offers background and photo‑double work for two male actors, one Black and one White/Latino, capped at $262. Casting for this project is concentrated in the New York metropolitan area.
The "Untitled Friendship Feature Film" and "School Jam" target child actors. The former requires two female leads aged 6‑12, paying up to $1,514, while the latter seeks supporting roles for Zara, Olivia, and Diego, all 14‑15, with locations in New York City, Philadelphia, and Jersey City.
Documentary and scripted series projects also appear. "Friends with Biases" invites real‑people participants aged 21‑55, offering up to $1,600 and casting nationwide. "Ex‑Libris" and "Aishah Sofey Skit" cast lead female roles and stunt or bodyguard positions, respectively, with pay up to $400 and $500. "The Gilded Age" Season 4 lists background extras for speech attendees, paying up to $187, with locations in New York City, Jersey City, Brooklyn, and Queens.
The "YouTube Video Series" and "New Dating Show" illustrate the growing overlap between traditional media and online platforms. The former offers day‑player and background roles in Los Angeles, paying up to $900, while the latter seeks real‑people participants nationwide.
Several projects are explicitly non‑SAG‑AFTRA covered, such as the background roles in "The Gilded Age" and the extras for "Ghost." This distinction is important for actors seeking union representation, as it affects pay scales, residuals, and working conditions.
The breadth of locations—from California and Texas to New York, New Jersey, and nationwide—highlights the continued demand for on‑location talent across the country. For actors and crew members, the list provides a snapshot of current hiring trends and the types of roles that are in demand. The inclusion of vertical series underscores the industry’s shift toward short‑form, mobile‑optimized content, while the presence of traditional feature films and documentary series shows that conventional formats remain active.
Backstage’s release comes at a time when casting platforms are increasingly central to talent discovery. The platform’s integration with industry databases and its real‑time updates give performers a practical tool for locating opportunities that match their age, experience, and location preferences. As the entertainment industry continues to diversify its output across streaming, theatrical, and digital channels, such listings will remain a key resource for those pursuing careers in acting and production.
In summary, the 22 June 2026 Backstage casting list offers a wide array of roles across multiple media formats and locations. Actors can find opportunities ranging from high‑paying lead roles in vertical series to background work in feature films. The list also signals the ongoing demand for both union and non‑union talent, reflecting the industry’s complex labor landscape. As production schedules for these projects move forward, interested performers should review the specific role requirements and audition dates posted on Backstage’s website.
