You definitely can reach out to casting directors, and though you won’t always get a response, in my experience most of them are happy to receive emails from actors. Being a freelance actor is a genuine alternative and some actors do really well dealing directly with casting directors.
Can I wear jeans to an audition?
You don’t need to dress like you’re going in for a corporate interview here. Your clothes shouldn’t be a wrinkled mess, but you also shouldn’t be wearing business attire to an audition. A good pair of jeans can go a long way, and it’s worth investing in a pair for auditions alone.