Asylum Casting

Asylum Casting Asylum Casting is a full service casting company for union and non union projects.

Casting Director with experience in casting for film, television, non broadcast (industrial), voiceover, real people, print, kids, live events, comedy, web videos. Melissa Paradice learned the foundations of production and casting from Maura Tighe and worked closely under her wing for 5 years moving up from Casting Assistant to Associate to Director. When Maura sold the company in 2009 to get her

Masters in Education, Melissa made the transition to Casting Director under Christine Wyse (also a former Maura Tighe employee before moving to NY and casting there for many years). Over the last 8+ years Christine has put the polish on Melissa's casting skills. Now we find ourselves in 2017 and Christine has sold the company to Melissa in order to pursue other opportunities, and Melissa is excited to take on this new exciting chapter in her casting career as business owner.

10/16/2025

Registration is open for this awesome 2 part Collaborative workshop between Deirdre McCarthy, talent manager for WSM Talent and Melissa Paradice, owner of Asylum Casting! This is taking place Sunday November 9th from 10:00AM - 3:00PM EST at Asylum Casting!

Part 1 (10:00AM - 12:00PM) of this workshop will focus on upping your audition game! Learn from people in the industry on ways to improve those auditions, make yourself stand out and what they are looking for.

Part 2 (1:00PM - 3:00PM) will focus on how to gain representation. Understand the process of how to research representation and put yourself out there to reps that suit your needs.

Our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL is $100 for BOTH parts! This special ends 5PM EST Thursday 10/23, so register before then for savings!

To register, scan the QR code OR visit this link. Hope to see you there! https://www.face2facepro.com/service-page/audition-and-representation-workshop

We're teaming up with our dear friends at Face2Face Pro for another fun workshop on auditioning and self taping!
08/18/2025

We're teaming up with our dear friends at Face2Face Pro for another fun workshop on auditioning and self taping!

Registration is now open for our upcoming Self-Tape and Audition Workshop!

On Sunday, September 14th, 2025 from 11:00AM - 2:00PM EST, take your auditions to the next level with this exclusive, hands-on and IN PERSON Self-Tape and Audition Workshop designed for both on-camera actors and voice over artists. Led by Melissa Paradice, Director of Asylum Casting and Deirdre McCarthy, Talent Manager for WSM Talent, this 3-hour intensive will give you insider tips on how to stand out in today’s competitive market.

Learn what industry professionals really look for, how to deliver compelling performances under pressure, and how to master the technical aspects of self-taping—whether you’re in front of the camera or behind the mic. Participants will receive personalized feedback and actionable strategies to improve their auditions and book more roles, from people IN the industry. This workshop is for all skill levels!

Scan the QR code OR visit https://www.face2facepro.com/service-page/self-tape-and-auditioning-workshop for more details AND to register. See you all there!

PS- Super Early Bird $200 rate from now until 5PM EST Thursday 8/14! Register now to save your spot!

We are coming up on the BATA- Boston Area Theatre Auditions fast! Join us in helping support this event, and allowing us...
04/01/2025

We are coming up on the BATA- Boston Area Theatre Auditions fast! Join us in helping support this event, and allowing us to expand and bring more professional development opportunities, community nights and more!
https://tinyurl.com/yc8mmy69

03/17/2025

Producer Registration Thank you for your interest in joining us for the 2025 Boston Area Theatre Auditions! Theatre Company Representatives, Casting Directors, Producers, and Freelance Directors are now welcome to register for BATA 2025. Registration includes up to two people at a time for both

Melissa Paradice is teaching an elective class this Spring!
02/21/2025

Melissa Paradice is teaching an elective class this Spring!

MASTER THE SELF-TAPE is an elective for actors in Boston. Learn how to film a successful self-tape audition for casting directors and agents.

Excited to see How To NOT Save the World With Mr Bezos with  at
11/10/2024

Excited to see How To NOT Save the World With Mr Bezos with at

10/31/2024
Come join Asylum Casting for the Boston premiere of McCurdy Point, a locally-shot SAG project cast by Melissa Paradice o...
10/30/2024

Come join Asylum Casting for the Boston premiere of McCurdy Point, a locally-shot SAG project cast by Melissa Paradice of Asylum Casting! Written, Directed and Featuring alumni from Improv Asylum and Asylum NYC.

McCurdy Point is the story of a guy's weekend gone wrong. When four men head to a rental cabin in the woods of Maine, they realize that their dream weekend getaway has turned into a nightmare.

Get complimentary tickets through the Link in Bio!

Now Casting for NAKED MAGICIANS!Auditions in November in Boston and NYCPays $200-$300/show, 4-6 show likely/weekVisit ww...
10/21/2024

Now Casting for NAKED MAGICIANS!
Auditions in November in Boston and NYC
Pays $200-$300/show, 4-6 show likely/week
Visit www.AsylumCasting.com for more details and audition instructions!

One Line Premise w/ Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall)Sunday October 27th 11-3pUnlock your sketch writing potential w...
09/24/2024

One Line Premise w/ Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall)

Sunday October 27th 11-3p

Unlock your sketch writing potential with Kevin McDonald from The Kids in the Hall in this exclusive writing-focused workshop! Designed for aspiring comedy writers, this session will guide you through turning a single premise into a fully realized comedy sketch. Limited to just 16 students, this hands-on workshop ensures you receive personalized feedback and expert advice from Kevin himself.

What You’ll Do:
Bring a one-line premise for a comedy sketch
Participate in group discussions where Kevin will:
Break down each premise.
Guide you on how to transform your idea into a full scene.
Provide expert feedback on structure, pacing, and character development.
Leave with a refined premise to write the full sketch
Submit your sketch via email for personalized notes from Kevin himself!

What You’ll Learn:

How to take a simple idea and build it into a structured sketch.
The art of developing strong premises and turning them into engaging comedic scenes.
Tips and techniques from Kevin’s experience with Kids in the Hall for writing memorable and effective sketches.
How to refine your ideas for maximum comedic impact.

This workshop is strictly writing-based—no improv or performance—focused on helping you build your comedy writing toolkit. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this class will give you the skills and confidence to craft original sketches.

https://asylumtix.com/improvasylumtraining?searchEvent=bcfe0e6e-2ddf-494b-8dae-51a5a48469d8&open=bcfe0e6e-2ddf-494b-8dae-51a5a48469d8&selectedEvent=bcfe0e6e-2ddf-494b-8dae-51a5a48469d8

Address

239 Causeway Street
Boston, MA
02114

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16174246805

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Our Story

Casting Director with experience in casting for film, television, non broadcast (industrial), voiceover, real people, print, kids, live events, comedy, web videos. Melissa Paradice learned the foundations of production and casting from Maura Tighe and worked closely under her wing for 5 years moving up from Casting Assistant to Associate to Director. When Maura sold the company in 2009 to get her Masters in Education, Melissa made the transition to Casting Director under Christine Wyse (also a former Maura Tighe employee before moving to NY and casting there for many years). Over the last 8+ years Christine has put the polish on Melissa's casting skills. As of August 2017 Christine has sold the company to Melissa, and is pursuing other opportunities, and Melissa is excited to take on this new exciting chapter in her casting career as business owner.