MEET RYAN SAAB OF RWS GLOBAL
- VDF Team
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 12
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Tell us about your role at RWS Global. What do you find most challenging, and what do you find exciting?
At RWS Global I oversee talent casting and creative recruitment across a global portfolio of live entertainment experiences. That includes everything from cruise lines and destination entertainment to theatrical productions and immersive experiences. My team is responsible for identifying, hiring, and supporting thousands of performers, musicians, technicians, and creative collaborators working across hundreds of venues worldwide.
At the same time, I’m deeply involved on the creative side of the business. I work closely with our producers and creative teams on the development of new entertainment concepts, helping shape how talent, storytelling, and live performance come together to create experiences for audiences around the world.
The most challenging part of the role is scale. When you are casting and building creative teams across multiple continents, productions, and timelines, you need systems and people that can move quickly without losing the human element of casting.
The exciting part is the same thing. We get to discover extraordinary talent from all over the world and connect them with opportunities they might never have imagined.
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing the moment when an artist steps into an opportunity that genuinely changes the trajectory of their career.
As a performer, what RWS Global contract would you have wanted most for yourself and why?
I probably would have been drawn to one of the cruise contracts early in my career. They offer a unique combination of high level production work and the chance to travel the world while performing regularly.
For a young performer, that kind of experience is incredibly valuable. You’re developing discipline, stage stamina, and versatility while also seeing parts of the world you might not otherwise have access to.
And because of the amazing trajectory paths RWS has to offer, I would hope to continue working across various projects and clients within the company, building experience and relationships along the way, with the long term goal of hopefully one day being seen on a Broadway stage.
Many performers leave those contracts with stronger technique, confidence, and a much broader understanding of what it means to be a working artist.
What excites you most on an audition day?
Audition days are always a reminder of why we do this. You’re sitting in a room with hundreds of artists who have spent years training and preparing for that moment. There’s an incredible amount of passion and vulnerability in the room.
The most exciting moments are the unexpected ones. When someone walks in and does something that surprises you or reveals a level of artistry you weren’t expecting.
Great auditions are never just about technique. They’re about presence, storytelling, and the ability to make a room feel something.
Those moments are when you realize you’re witnessing someone step into the next phase of their career.
What do you look for at RWS Global auditions?
Of course we’re looking for strong technique and performance ability, but what really stands out is presence and adaptability. Many of our productions require artists who can thrive in very different environments, from traditional stages to immersive settings to large scale entertainment venues.
We look for performers who are not only talented, but collaborative, curious, and resilient. The artists who build long careers in this industry are the ones who understand that great work happens when talent, professionalism, and generosity come together.
Talent opens the door, but professionalism and collaboration are what build lasting careers.
What is your favourite thing about VDF?
VDF does something really important for the industry. It creates a space where emerging artists can connect directly with casting professionals, choreographers, and educators in a way that feels accessible and supportive.
For us, it’s an opportunity to meet artists early in their journeys and help them understand what the professional landscape actually looks like. For the performers, it’s a chance to learn, grow, and build confidence in a room full of people who genuinely want to see them succeed.
And of course, Melbourne has such a vibrant arts culture that it’s always a pleasure to return.
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