About the Company

Carol Hanzel Casting is a boutique-style full service casting office for Broadway, Off-B'way, Regional and International Theatre, Television, On-Camera & Voice-Over commercials and Film. In addition to hundreds of theatrical productions, CHC has cast and nurtured countless workshops in various stages of development, and served as a casting consultant for the prestigious NAMT Festival. Recent CHC projects include Broadway-optioned Wanda's World, Reel to Real (China and Edinburgh) directed by Tony nominee Lynne Taylor-Corbett, and the World Premieres of regional smash hits Cagney and Backwards In High Heels. Other career favorites include the multi-Tony nominated Swing! on Broadway and on tour, Hi-5, and The Wonder Pets (TV), A Very Serious Person (feature film directed by Charles Busch) and My Vaudeville Man, Off-B’way. Carol takes pride in being personally involved and hands-on with every project that comes through the door and her dedication to finding her clients the best possible talent knows no limits. As a former Broadway performer herself, Carol knows the business from both sides of the table, and her unique perspective makes each cast special, and every project stand out. Her dedication to professionalism, hard work and total commitment to finding the perfect cast make her ideal to work with for an array of multi-faceted clients.

Carol Hanzel - Casting Director/Owner

Carol Hanzel - Casting Director/Owner
Carol’s professional background as a musical theatre performer includes the original Broadway productions of Sherry, Cabaret & Promises, Promises, as well as the Lincoln Center revivals of West Side Story & Show Boat. Her performing career also included numerous commercials, television, regional theater and voice-overs. She has danced with such renowned artists as Gene Kelly, Chita Rivera, Joel Grey and Donna McKecknie, and played opposite Ann Miller in Mame. Fun facts: She was on a bowling team with Sammy Davis, Jr., appeared on the same stage as Mr. Jiggs, the roller-skating chimpanzee on the Ed Sullivan Show and danced alongside Morgan Freeman at the World's Fair.

Following a successful career on the stage, Carol taught jazz classes to children, teens, and adults before shifting to the business side of the performing world, where she spent 5 years as a talent agent, representing new & established clients culminating in working for Writers and Artists Agency. Carol entered casting in 1984 when she was asked to join the prestigious advertising agency, Ogilvy and Mather, as an on-staff casting director. While there she worked on major campaigns such as American Express, AT&T and Hershey's until 1988 when she opened her own company. She continued her commercial casting and expanded her office to include casting for theatre, her first love, as well as television and film.

Wearing a number of different hats in diverse area of the “business” has enabled Carol to possess a distinctive overview of the casting process, and a comprehensive knowledge of the many components that make for a successful finished product. Add to that Carol's passion for her work, love of collaboration and respect for the creative process and it adds up to make CHC a unique asset - guaranteed to make every project, no matter the size or the ambition, reach its ultimate goal.

Colleen Piquette - Casting Associate

Colleen Piquette - Casting Associate
Having been a performer in the arts for many years herself, Colleen translated her knowledge of the stage to the other side of the casting table when she joined Carol 3 years ago. In addition to casting with CHC, she has also worked independently as an associate casting director on the feature film, The Pill and cast for up and coming theater companies including Anais Nin Goes to Hell for MTWorks and To Barcelona! for Ignited States Production Company.

In addition to being an aerial artist herself, Colleen works as a New York Casting Partner for Cirque du Soleil. More and more she is finding that a great many shows are now including circus arts in addition to traditional song and dance and is hoping to further combine her knowledge of these two worlds for future castings.