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Ethan Slater Reframes Painful Early Audition After Time in Casting Rooms

He shared the story during a Dec. 10 interview at Vassar College, where he received the Young Alum Achievement Award.

Overview

  • Slater recalled hearing a director say, “Why did you even bring him in?” as he left an early-career audition.
  • He said he was 23 at the time and later learned he was about 20 years too young for the role.
  • Having since participated in casting, he called the remark inappropriate yet likely not meant personally.
  • The actor is known for a Tony-nominated Broadway debut in The SpongeBob Musical and for playing Boq in the Wicked films.
  • He co-wrote Marcel on the Train, set to premiere Off-Broadway at Classic Stage Company in February 2026, in which he will portray Marcel Marceau.