Barbara Barna Abel

Teaches at ABEL Intermedia

She ran the Talent Development department at VH1 prior to launching her own casting firm in 2001. She has a reputation for recognizing new and emerging talent and has cast over 100 Reality Projects in the last couple of years. She has recently cast for VH1, BBC America, FUSE, LXTV, Discovery, Bravo, HGTV, Travel Channel, and many more! Barbara started in the business more than 20 years ago as music director of her college radio station (KSPC, Claremont, CA), and making tea for powerhouse 80s musical acts like Culture Club and Human League as the first college intern for Virgin Records UK. She then joined Front Line Management as a junior publicist working with such clients as Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Warren Zevon, and the Go-Gos. Barbara gained her comedy chops in the personal-appearance department of APA in Los Angeles, initially working the phones for the legendary and visionary Marty Klein. Her backgrounds in music and talent converged at VH1, where she held a variety of production, development, and talent positions during her decade-long tenure there.