Simon Russell Beale & Hayley Atwell. Image via YouTube.

London’s National Theatre (currently represented on Broadway by War Horse and One Man, Two Guvnors) is one of the world’s great arts institutions, so it’s a treat when they let us behind the scenes. They’ve released a series of informative, relaxed and no-nonsense web videos that detail the real process of theater creation without the usual layer of PR hype. It’s like a master class without any diva behavior.

I thought I’d share some of my favorites here, kicking things off with one of the early steps in any production, casting. As a bonus treat, the video features the luminous Haley Atwell (Captain America) remembering her first audition for the National.