Transparency in Casting: Our Process and Commitment to Growth
At La Crosse Community Theatre (LCT), we believe that community theatre is not just about putting on great performances but also fostering an inclusive, supportive environment for all who participate. Before the auditions for White Christmas and Deer Camp, we wanted to share with you a little about how the process goes.
Our Casting Philosophy
Casting for a production is both an art and a science. Our directors are tasked with the responsibility of selecting actors who not only display talent but also bring the right chemistry to each role. While casting is subjective, our aim is always to find the actor who is the best fit for the part, considering their audition, the ensemble as a whole, and the director’s vision for the show.
We recognize that casting decisions can sometimes feel unclear or even disappointing, especially when traditional roles are reinterpreted in ways that may not align with expectations. Our intention is never to exclude or discourage anyone from auditioning, and we want to be as transparent as possible about how these decisions are made.
On Gender-Swapped Roles
In recent castings, many have noticed instances where female-presenting or nonbinary actors have been cast in male-presenting roles. These casting decisions are not made in advance but evolve organically in the audition room, based on the strengths, personalities, and unique qualities each actor brings to their audition. For example, casting Stacy Bruemmer as Fagin in Oliver! was a decision made in the moment based on her performance, and not a premeditated choice to gender-swap the role.
It is important to note that when we do cast actors in roles traditionally written for another gender, we maintain the integrity of the original character descriptions and pronouns unless the script allows for flexibility. These decisions reflect the dynamic nature of casting, where the goal is always to find the best fit for the character as envisioned by the director. The director may not know that they wish to gender swap a character until the right actor presents themself, so there may not be a chance to communicate the decision in advance.
Ensuring Fairness and Equity in Auditions
We understand the concern that not all actors feel they have the same opportunity to showcase their talents during auditions. We strive to make our audition process as equitable as possible. Every actor is provided with the same audition materials, and while callbacks are selective, this is a standard industry practice to streamline the casting process. We also offer video auditions for those who cannot attend in person, though we acknowledge that these actors may face certain disadvantages compared to those who audition live.
We are committed to ensuring that every actor who auditions for LCT feels like they have been treated fairly and with respect, regardless of whether they are ultimately cast.
Our Commitment to Actor Growth
At LCT, we are dedicated to nurturing the talents of all actors, whether they are cast in lead roles or as part of the ensemble. We recognize that it can be discouraging for actors, especially those with experience, to be cast in ensemble roles repeatedly. To address this, we are working on expanding our educational offerings, including audition workshops and performance training as we continue to explore all the uses of our new building. These programs will be designed to help actors hone their skills and become more competitive for principal roles in future productions.
Seeking Feedback from Our Community
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, we want to hear from those who have audition. We believe that the best way to grow as a theatre community is by listening to the voices of those who have participated in our auditions and productions. To this end, we are launching a survey for everyone who has auditioned for LCT in the past few years.
This survey will allow us to gather feedback on your experiences and understand your perspectives on how we can improve our audition and casting processes. Whether you’ve been cast in lead roles, ensemble parts, or not cast at all, we want to know how we can make the experience more transparent, inclusive, and supportive.
Conclusion
We are committed to making our casting and audition processes as clear and fair as possible. By fostering open communication and listening to feedback from our community, we hope to build a stronger, more inclusive theatre where everyone has the chance to shine.
