Casting Directors Hired for NBC Drama and Comedy Pilots
Casting directors have been hired for two more NBC pilots, Back Stage has confirmed. Susie Farris is casting the pilot for "The New Normal" and April Webster is casting "Revolution." More »

SAG, AFTRA Launch Merger Site
SAG and AFTRA took to the web last week, launching a website for the unions' merger campaign at www.sagaftra.org, as well as a Facebook page and a Twitter account. More »

'In the Heights' Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda Touts Hospital Exchange Program
The Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx announced in January the launch of an initiative that allows artists of all disciplines to perform creative services to receive health care. More »

'Love, Loss and What I Wore' To Close in March
The off-Broadway show "Love, Loss and What I Wore" will end its run March 25 after more than 1,000 performances. More »

New HBO Series 'Luck' Investigated for Horse Mistreatment
David Milch's new HBO series "Luck" has been investigated for the treatment of its four-legged stars after two horses broke their legs and were euthanized during the show's production. More »

Auditions Announced For New Duncan Sheik Musical in Development
Melanie Lockyer is casting teen and adult actors for a developmental workshop of "Because of Winn-Dixie." Equity principal auditions will be held Friday, February 17 in New York City. More »

CAA Signs Its First Bollywood Star
Priyanka Chopra, one of India's leading actresses, is also an aspiring singer set to release her debut international album on Universal Music Group/Interscope and Desi Hits! Inc. More »

Sutton Foster-Led Pilot From 'Gilmore Girls' Creator Gets Series Order
Amy Sherman-Palladino's "Bunheads" joins "Baby Daddy" as pilots receiving series orders from the youth-skewing cable network this year. More »

Popular Character Actor Ben Gazzara Dies in NY
Ben Gazzara, whose powerful dramatic performances made him a memorable presence in such iconic productions as the original "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on Broadway and the film "The Big Lebowski," has died. More »

Johansson, Washington Receive German Acting Awards
U.S. actors Scarlett Johansson and Denzel Washington have received Germany's most prestigious film award as best international actors. More »

CBS, ABC Pilots Get Casting Directors
Continuing this week's trend of furious hiring by the studios, five CBS pilots and one ABC pilot have picked up casting directors, Back Stage confirmed. More »

Austin Resident Receives Equity's Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award
Connie McMillan, known as the "ultimate theater person" by her friends, was named the recipient of Actors Equity Association's 2012 Lucy Jordan Humanitarian Award on Friday. More »

Aquila/Wood Casting Hired for Darabont's 'LA Noir' Pilot
Deborah Aquila and Tricia Wood will be casting the pilot for "LA Noir," a period drama from Frank Darabont for TNT, Back Stage has confirmed. Darabont will write and direct the pilot. More »

CW Pilots 'First Cut,' 'The Selection' Get Casting Directors
Bruce H. Newberg will cast "First Cut," a medical drama from CBS Studios, and Barbara Stordahl and Angela Terry will cast "The Selection," from Warner Bros. Television. More »

5 NBC Pilots Sign Casting Directors
"Mobile" marks Roseanne Barr's return to primetime as the proprietor of a trailer park who is constantly putting out fires (figuratively, for the most part) started by her colorful collection of tenants. More »

Casting Directors Announced for New Pilots from 'Shameless' Show Runner
John Frank Levey and Melanie Burgess will cast the one-hour drama pilot "Bad Girls" for NBC and "Prodigy Bully" for Fox. More »

Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee To Cast 'Empire State'
Mandeville Films' new project "Empire State" will be cast by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee, Back Stage confirmed with the studio. More »

Dan Shaner and Michael Testa Set to Cast Nick at Nite Project
Nick at Nite's English-language adaptation of Mexican telenovela "Alcanzar una Estrella" will be cast by Dan Shaner and Michael Testa, Back Stage confirmed with Nickelodeon. More »

Rachel Tenner To Cast 'Walter Mitty' Remake
Ben Stiller's remake of 1947's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" will be cast by Rachel Tenner, Back Stage confirmed. Tenner, an L.A.-based casting director, has set up shop in New York to handle the project. More »

Julie Ashton Picks Up Two (More) Pilots
Julie Ashton is having a very busy pilot season. This week she picked up two more pilots, both CBS comedies. More »

AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement Ratified
A similar agreement between the American Federation of Musicians and the labels was ratified two weeks ago, but other music efforts by the two unions aren't faring as well. More »

Angela Meade Given Sills Award by Met Opera
The annual award, which carries a $50,000 prize, was announced Monday. It is given to singers from 25-40. More »

Actor Who Was Mr. Pitt on 'Seinfeld' Dies at 77
Ian Abercrombie, a veteran British stage and screen actor whose TV roles included Elaine's boss Mr. Pitt on "Seinfeld," has died. He was 77. More »

Other 'Beauty and the Beast' Pilot Gets a Casting Director
Every pilot season, there's always a few similar-sounding projects that get set up at different networks, and this year is no different. More »

'Raisin' and 'Springer' Lead LADCC Nominations
The nominees and special award recipients for the 43rd annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, honoring distinguished achievements in L.A. theater during 2011, were announced on Monday. More »