Yep, OK, let me first clarify two terms, they are often confused.
Agent : That's usually someone representing you in negotiations, finding jobs for you (although very often you find your own, never rely on them alone, they're just human, make your own contacts) and they get a percentage , around 11 % in Australia, whenever you work. The also introduce you to
casting directors, sometimes they are called casting agents, and that's what causes confusion.
casting directors (or casting agents) are the people who the director goes to when they want a pre selection of actors for a role, they would also sit in at or hold auditions. The Director, though, has the final word.
Casting directors have a database of actors and they may recommend you and others to the Director to select from.
(I may not be getting this 100% right, I'm still new to all this
so please verify it with other people too)
The new thing is that instead of 'normal' auditions some casting directors like holding workshops, so they get to know the actors a little better.
There is several different types of workshop held by a variety of different people with all kinds of different goals. I'm sure there are several throughout next year as well. In my experience the ones held by casting directors have to be paid for, but that isn't a rule set in stone.
So yeah, I don't really know much more than this. it all depends on who is holding hte workshop and how good they are. And whether it gives you a job or not.. dude, too many factors to consider... Some fantastic people may hold workshops for free or almost for free and even cast from them, and some horrible teachers may ask a lot of money. I think the only way to know is to talk to people who have taken that particular one before.
Did that help?