The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Ep404 - Sarah Killough: How to Audition Without Touching the Reader
From playing the oboe in northern Minnesota to casting spells as Ginny Potter on Broadway, Sarah Killough's story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Sarah chats about her early musical roots, growing up surrounded by theater in a creatively rich family, and the pivotal decision to attend Interlochen as a teenager. She shares how she carved her path through school, summer stock, and eventually New York City—where a survival job as an audition reader turned into a backstage pass to the industry and a surprising pipeline to major roles.
Now captivating audiences eight shows a week in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Sarah discusses the emotional weight of the role, the fandom surrounding the show, and what it’s like to portray a character as iconic as Ginny. She reflects on being part of casting processes from the other side of the table, the joys and challenges of working in a high-tech, high-stakes production, and what it means when fans tell her she is the “book Ginny.” Full of heart, humor, and a few tales of audition room mishaps, this conversation showcases the magic behind Sarah’s grounded presence on stage and off.
Sarah Killough is an actor, musician, and dialect coach currently starring as Ginny Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Her stage credits include Leopoldstadt, The Lehman Trilogy, Travesties, and Long Day’s Journey Into Night. A Minnesota native and graduate of the Hartt School, she also serves as a trusted audition reader for major casting offices in New York.
Connect with Sarah:
- Instagram: @rhymeswithpillow
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- Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.
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