She videotaped her audition from Vancouver . she was asked to come to Los Angeles to meet Whedon , where she was cast for the role of Kaylee Frye , the ship 's engineer . Canadian actress Jewel Staite videotaped her audition from Vancouver and was asked to come to Los Angeles to meet Whedon , at which point she was cast for the role of Kaylee Frye , the ship 's engineer .