What an interesting topic of conversation Kaitlin touched this week. Although I am lacking experience of living in this country and working for any type of theatres, I will try to wrestle this topic with the most respect and at my best.

First of all, I am going to talk about circumstances where open conversations and options can be available. I am not taking into account a theatre or a company that have their crew and must distribute roles only among them. Let’s see if a theatre can hire absolutely anyone, who is willing to contribute their time, enthusiasm and effort. From my point of view, it is very important to create authentic look and feel of the play. If a role is meant for an African-American, Asian, Caucasian, other type of race person then we should be in search for the ones who fit the best. But there definitely are boundaries that hold us behind. To my mind comes three main reasons that prevent hiring “the right one”: budget, demographic state of the city and talent/experience. As Kaitlin mentioned, even though they had a perfect match, those actors had to leave for paid jobs. Here, I think, the company has to negotiate with actors and offer some kind of payment in order to complete the realistic look of the play. And I understand that there may be no budget available, but there are always fund raisers, sponsors or companies that support art in their area. It might take longer to come to an agreement, but overall goal for both is – to present the play in the best possible way. And if an actor has its own interest in the opportunity to play this particular part, he will be willing to negotiate and will be happy to get paid. IF we will back down and let go of those actors, this situation will come up later eventually with another play and everything will repeat. There is no progress without hazards to break through. It takes time. But there has to be made enough effort and put enough thought of how to keep the cast that represents characters of the play in their original appearance. If the company is not willing to take those risks, give their time and energy to fight for the best outcome, then maybe they are not worth putting this play on the first place. Once again, I am talking about professional theaters (with or without budgeting), who are devoted to theatre and art in general. Not those that are just doing art for fun. So, there is the question of budgeting. Now, let’s talk about population and nationalities that are present in the city or town. IF there is a lack of people of required race - invite guests from other places. Wonderfully, in the US it is very common and this practice is well known among agents, actors and, of course, theatre companies. Once again, it will take time and effort, but the goal will be achieved. We have to broaden our horizons in order to become more diverse. The world wouldn’t evolve with the speed that it is evolving if people wouldn’t travel and bring their cultural experience to other places. Lastly, let’s talk about the level of talent or experience of actors. I’ll be quite short in here, because both: budget and expanding the territory of search – can deal with this issue.

Overall, yes, there are issues and obstacles that theatres face during casting calls for particular roles. But the solution here is just as the one that works in ordinary world. We have to take time, we have to WANT to find and do the best we can to find those, who are perfect for the part and can bring cultural richness that the play deserves. Nothing can be changed or become perfect in one day, that’s why we have to push ourselves in order to make that change. If right now you can’t find that perfect fit, then put this play aside and keep searching for the right actor, reach out to sponsors if there is need, but eventually you will get everything and everyone that you need. And it doesn’t mean that the play will be lost and left behind (unless theatre company is lazy and doesn’t give a shit), but if this company truly cares and loves and understands theatre, they will be very proud to bring that play to live six or twelve months later than they expected. Because the feedback that you will receive will pay off the hard work that has been put in this project, and you’ll reach the goal of making the play as close to the intend of the playwright as possible.