What design techniques can you use to create a more inclusive casting process?

2 Review your script

The next step is to review your script and analyze the characters and their roles. How are they described in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, or other attributes? Are these descriptions essential or flexible? Are they based on historical accuracy or artistic license? Are they respectful or problematic? How do they relate to the plot, the themes, and the conflicts? How do they interact with other characters? By reviewing your script, you can identify the opportunities and the challenges for inclusive casting.

3 Choose your approach

When selecting an approach for inclusive casting, you should consider your goals and script. Color-conscious casting is when you deliberately cast actors of different races or ethnicities to reflect the diversity of your society, your audience, or your artistic vision. Gender-conscious casting is when you deliberately cast actors of different genders or gender expressions. Ability-conscious casting is when you deliberately cast actors of different abilities or disabilities. Cross-cultural casting is when you deliberately cast actors from different cultural backgrounds. And non-traditional casting is when you deliberately cast actors who do not match the conventional or expected descriptions of the characters. All these approaches can be used to highlight or challenge issues of race, culture, gender, sexuality, ability, language, identity, norms, stereotypes, and prejudices.

4 Communicate your intentions

Once you have chosen your approach to inclusive casting, you need to communicate your intentions to your team, your actors, and your audience. You need to explain why you are using this approach, what are your goals, and what are the benefits and the challenges. You need to be transparent, honest, and respectful. You also need to be open to feedback, criticism, and dialogue. By communicating your intentions, you can build trust, understanding, and collaboration with your stakeholders.

5 Support your actors

Finally, you need to support your actors throughout the casting process and the production process. You need to provide them with the resources, the guidance, and the feedback that they need to perform their roles. You need to respect their identities, their experiences, and their perspectives. You need to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where they can express themselves, learn from each other, and grow as artists. By supporting your actors, you can create a more inclusive casting process that enhances your theatrical production.

6 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?