Story perspectives

Hollywood's 'Street of Dreams' Transforms Amid Digital Auditions

3/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Kim Taylor-Coleman, casting director, described the block housing her office as the 'street of dreams' due to its concentration of casting directors.
With colleagues Richard Hicks and Debra Zane, she notes online auditions and self-taping accelerated by the pandemic, expanding the talent pool.
Debra Zane warns the shift costs personal interaction, saying, 'you can't smell people anymore,' as the profession gains an Oscar category and Hollywood's audition landscape evolves.

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Story summary

Kim Taylor-Coleman, casting director, described the block housing her office as the 'street of dreams' due to its concentration of casting directors.
With colleagues Richard Hicks and Debra Zane, she notes online auditions and self-taping accelerated by the pandemic, expanding the talent pool.
Debra Zane warns the shift costs personal interaction, saying, 'you can't smell people anymore,' as the profession gains an Oscar category and Hollywood's audition landscape evolves.