What techniques can you use to ensure your casting choices are diverse?

2 Expand your network

The second step to ensure diversity in your casting choices is to expand your network and reach out to actors from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. You can do this by posting your casting call on diverse platforms, such as social media, websites, newsletters, or forums that cater to specific communities or groups. You can also ask for referrals from your existing contacts, or collaborate with organizations, schools, or agencies that work with diverse talent. By expanding your network, you can increase the pool of potential actors that can audition for your production, and discover new and talented performers that can bring something unique and fresh to your project.

3 Be open-minded and respectful

The third step to ensure diversity in your casting choices is to be open-minded and respectful during the audition process. You should avoid making assumptions or judgments based on the appearance, accent, or identity of the actors, and focus on their skills, abilities, and suitability for the role. You should also be respectful of their preferences, needs, and boundaries, and accommodate them as much as possible. For example, you might need to provide interpreters, accessibility features, or cultural sensitivity training for some actors. You should also be transparent and honest about your expectations, goals, and vision for the production, and communicate them clearly to the actors. By being open-minded and respectful, you can create a positive and inclusive environment for the audition process, and foster trust and collaboration with the actors.

4 Consider non-traditional casting

The fourth step to ensure diversity in your casting choices is to consider non-traditional casting, which is the practice of casting actors in roles that are different from their own identity or experience. For example, you might cast an actor of a different race, gender, or age than the character they are playing, or cast an actor with a disability in a role that is not defined by their disability. Non-traditional casting can be a powerful and creative way to challenge stereotypes, explore new perspectives, and create a more diverse and dynamic production. However, you should also be careful and respectful when using non-traditional casting, and avoid tokenism, appropriation, or erasure of the original identity or experience of the character or the actor. You should also consult with the actors, the writers, and the community that is affected by your casting choices, and seek their feedback and approval.

5 Evaluate and improve

The fifth step to ensure diversity in your casting choices is to evaluate and improve your results and process. You should monitor and measure the diversity of your cast, and compare it to your goals, your script, and your audience. You should also solicit feedback from the actors, the crew, the critics, and the audience, and listen to their opinions, suggestions, and criticisms. You should also reflect on your own biases, challenges, and learnings, and identify what you did well, and what you can do better. By evaluating and improving, you can assess the impact and effectiveness of your casting choices, and learn from your mistakes and successes.

6 Keep learning and growing

The final step to ensure diversity in your casting choices is to keep learning and growing as a producer, director, or casting director. You should keep yourself updated and informed about the issues, trends, and best practices of diversity and inclusion in theatre, and seek out opportunities to educate yourself and others. You should also keep yourself open and curious about the different cultures, experiences, and stories that exist in the world, and seek out ways to incorporate them into your productions. You should also keep yourself humble and accountable, and acknowledge your limitations, privileges, and responsibilities. By keeping learning and growing, you can make diversity and inclusion a core value and a continuous goal for your theatrical production, and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive theatre industry.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?