Inclusive Casting Practices: Expanding Diversity on Your Stage

If you haven’t already begun, now is certainly the time to make diversity a priority within your theatre. Creating a more inclusive environment—both on stage and behind the scenes—is essential for fostering meaningful change and building a theatre community that reflects the world around us. However, it’s important to recognize that expanding diversity and cultivating an atmosphere of true inclusion won’t happen overnight. Meaningful change takes time, dedication, and intention.

At On The Stage, we understand the importance of inclusive casting and equitable representation in every aspect of theatre. That’s why we’re diving into why inclusive casting is crucial—not just for better storytelling, but also for creating an enriching and welcoming environment for all.

Why Inclusive Casting Matters

First, let’s explore why, exactly, inclusive casting matters so much. Inclusive casting – whether in a school program, community theatre, or professional entity –?matters because it:?

• Strengthens your storytelling by bringing in new perspectives to your narrative
• Helps you, the theatre creator, cast a wider net with your audience members?
• Allows more interested parties to join your theatre and purchase tickets to your show
• Allows marginalized communities to feel better represented and appreciated?
• Increases community engagement by broadening the narrative scope
• Creates a greater sense of authenticity in productions, as a diverse cast reflects the way the “real world” world looks
• Increases empathy and understanding of different races and cultures?
• Spurs social change through art
• Helps to address and dispel stereotypes and bias?

In truth, the positive effects of diversifying your cast can’t be fully quantified, but the above are just a few of the reasons why inclusion matters.??

Strategies for Inclusive Casting

Now that we’ve covered just a few of the benefits of inclusive casting, it’s time to brainstorm ways to enact that process within your own theatre. It may seem intimidating to seek out a greater cast pool for your productions, especially if your casts have rarely seen diversity in the past. But there are a few ways to get started in the right direction.?

1. Expand Your Outreach

Do the same ten people consistently audition for the lead roles in your production? Are your chorus members all friends who have performed together a dozen times? While cultivating passion and loyalty for your theatre are incredibly important, it’s time to bring in new faces for auditions. The most organic and effective way to do this is by expanding your outreach efforts before auditions begin. A few ways to do this include:

• Collaborating with other creative agencies in your area to help you tap into new potential cast members
• Reaching out to POC or other marginalized creators to see if they can help spread the word about your theatre
• Advertising your auditions outside your normal scope of social media marketing spots – because you’re just reaching the same people again and again?
• Tapping nonprofits who work with underrepresented groups to see if they can advertise your auditions to clients?
• Emphasizing the importance of diversity in your theatre marketing materials so that marginalized groups feel welcome and encouraged to attend auditions

1. Break Typecasting Norms

Another way to infuse diversity into your theatre is by eschewing typecasting norms. Perhaps the lead is, traditionally, a white male. Would it alter the story to a damaging degree to cast a Black actor? How about a woman, or someone who has a disability? Reconsider traditional casting choices and break typecasting norms by thinking outside the expected choice.

You can also practice inclusive casting by selecting your leads and chorus based on talent and suitability for roles, rather than the specific appearance description – unless specific characteristics are essential to the part. (And if appearance is essential to the part, perhaps it's time to go back to the drawing board for your next show choice!)

If you’ve got an actor that truly embodies the role, but is not the “expected” gender or race of said character, ask yourself one question: Who cares? Choose the actor who will deliver the premier performance. This way, you’re producing the best show possible, yes, but you’re also giving all your actors the opportunities they deserve to explore a range of roles that play to their strengths.?

1. Create a Welcoming and Equitable Environment

During auditions, it is absolutely crucial to create a welcoming environment where all actors – not just the ones who have worked with you before – feel safe and valued.?

One way to do this is by establishing clear policies against discrimination and harassment that are outlined before auditions begin. Another is by ensuring efforts about diversity and inclusion are spoken about openly and explained on your theatre’s website.?

Addressing Barriers to Inclusion

The world we live in has several barriers that can get in the way of creating a truly inclusive environment. We offer a few ways to rectify those in your own theatre.?

1. Tackle Unconscious Bias in the Casting Process

Even the most open, accepting person most likely has some implicit bias through no real fault of their own. (An unconscious bias, by the way, is the pre-reflective attribution of particular qualities by an individual to members of a particular group.) You may have gotten these implicit biases from your parents, the news, TV shows, or pop culture.?

So – the first thing you need to do to help foster a more inclusive environment is to admit to yourself that you likely have some unconscious bias. And that’s okay – as long as you don’t allow those biases to get in the way of your casting decisions.?

Next, create an honest evaluation of your current theatre program. Ask yourself questions like:

• What stories am I telling??
• Whose stories am I telling??
• Who am I representing on stage?
• Who am I giving a platform to in my theatre??
• Who is missing from these stories?

Once you evaluate the work you’ve put out and how your unconscious biases may have affected your choices, you can identify areas for growth and set a benchmark for progress.

1. Provide Accessibility for Performers with Disabilities

Did you know that according to the 2022 American Community Survey, approximately 44.1 million Americans (13.4%) reported having a disability? That is a large chunk of the population –?and you’re missing out on their stories, talents, and points of view if you aren’t working to be accessible to them.?

The first and most obvious barrier to inclusion for those with disabilities is the lack of ADA compliances in a theatre. Do not encourage actors with disabilities to come audition for your show if you don’t have the resources to make them feel welcomed and comfortable. Your first move should be to ensure you have building and bathroom wheelchair accessibility, at a minimum.?

Next, ensure your actors know they can ask for accommodations during auditions; make that loud and clear on all marketing materials. Perhaps an actor with low vision wants to audition, but isn’t sure you’ll be able to provide them the resources they need to do a cold reading or navigate the stage. They may feel discouraged and not bother coming at all. But if you make it clear that you’re happy to make accommodations for your actors, you’ll cast a wider net for auditions and be well on your way to a more inclusive theatre.?

1. Offer Mentorship and Training to Support Underrepresented Talent

Mentorship can play a pivotal role in just about any industry – and theatre is no different. It’s no secret that the performing arts are an incredibly tough market to break into, so why not help others get involved and use your talents and influence for good?

Consider offering mentorship opportunities for underrepresented talent – helping actors get their foot in the door who otherwise may lose their passion for the industry due to a lack of representation. With mentorships, you’re offering guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. You’re also removing barriers for inclusion by offering a hand up to underrepresented groups that the world needs to hear more from.?

Building a Culture of Inclusion Beyond Casting

1. Foster a Diverse Creative Team

You’ve worked diligently to get a more diverse cast on the stage. But what about your creative team? If everyone around you looks just like you, they may think just like you, have similar interests, and similar biases. This eliminates the dynamic nature of theatre.?

Consider adding different voices to your team this year. Reach out to creatives in your area that represent groups and causes you don’t know much about, or are not a part of. The beauty of theatre is that the more viewpoints you have in the room, the more beautiful the end result. Don’t be afraid to reach outside your comfort zone in the effort to make greater art.?

1. Develop Community Partnerships that Support Equity in the Arts

While working to internally increase inclusion and diversity efforts is very important, it’s also crucial to step outside your theatre and keep the work going in your community.?

A great way to do just that is by developing community partnerships with other creatives, nonprofits, and businesses that support equity in the arts. Not only will this help finance the arts in your community, it will also help you form connections with others around you, learn more about being a true ally of diversity and inclusion, and strengthen the offerings of your theatre.?

1. Encourage Continued Education

For you, for your creative team, for your actors, for your lighting and sound crew: encourage continued education! You should all be staying informed about best practices for diversity and inclusion in theatre education.?

Don’t be afraid to attend workshops, join professional organizations, and engage in conversations with your creative team about creating more inclusive programs. Remember – diversity is dynamic and ever-changing; you need to stay on top of the discussion to ensure you’re giving your best efforts.

How On The Stage Can Helpnbsp;

Diversity and inclusion efforts are incredibly important to the fabric of the theatre. And while you may want to jump into those efforts head-on, you might be worried about the many other logistical tasks you need to tackle, too.

That’s where On The Stage comes in. Our all-in-one ticketing software is built for performing arts and theatre management, empowering thousands of organizations with ticketing, box office, marketing, fundraising, and reporting tools in one robust platform – for free. With a partner in that logistical fight, you can focus more on what truly matters: creating great art and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion for all.?

If you’re ready to elevate your theatre, book a personalized demo today.?