Why Theatre Professors Shouldn't Be Cast in Shows with Students

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

I was recently alerted to some controversy happening with a casting decision in Cal Poly Humboldt’s Theatre Department. A theatre professor has been pre-cast in an upcoming department production and students feel that it not only undermines opportunities for student actors, but it also raises questions about power dynamics and inclusivity within the program.

I think it is more than fair that the students at Cal Poly Humboldt feel this way. While there are benefits for students to work alongside professionals during their classes, when it comes to casting professors in shows alongside their students, there are several compelling reasons why this practice should be avoided.

The obvious first issue is that with this professor in the role, it takes an opportunity away from a student who is paying tuition to be afforded such opportunities. In this case, specifically at Cal Poly Humboldt, the play is The Life of Galileo by Bertolt Brecht and David Hare. The faculty member is Troy Lescher, who had apparently been pre-cast in the lead role of Galileo.

According to a report, the reasoning for Lescher’s casting was theatre program leaders felt the role was too big for a student to be able to handle.

“Cindy Moyer, chair of the Department of Dance, Music, and Theatre, said that Lescher has spent his summer working on the part, and asking a student to put that breadth of work in half a semester isn’t feasible,” the report said.

In my opinion, Moyer and Lescher seem to be either doubting their students’ abilities or don’t know how to train them to handle such roles. Casting a student in the role would have given them an incredible opportunity to learn about the rehearsal process, time management, character development, and many other things that come from taking on such an important and sizable role. One suggestion would have been to push the production to later in the year, cast it now, and give the students the training to prepare.

The only educational benefit these students will get now is by watching it from afar. Casting professors can inadvertently restrict the diversity of talent and experiences within the theater program. Also, in this instance, the program at Cal Poly Humboldt is a BA program, it’s not a BFA conservatory-type curriculum. So it’s even more essential for these students to have this experience.

Another important factor to consider is how having a faculty member in a student cast will impact the dynamic among that group. When theatre professors get roles in shows with their students, a big worry is how they're in charge(even if someone else is directing), and it messes up the group vibe. Professors have power and sway over students, and that can make things feel uneven in the cast. This might mean students are afraid to speak up, do their own thing artistically, or bring up problems with the show. They're worried about what might happen or how it could affect their grades, so it messes with the way everyone works together in theater.

Productions often involve scenes or situations that require a high level of trust and comfort among cast members. Intimate or emotionally charged scenes can be especially sensitive. When a professor is part of the cast, students may feel uncomfortable or exposed, hindering their ability to fully engage in these scenes. Student safety and well-being should always be a top priority in theater education, and the presence of a professor in a production can compromise this.

Casting faculty in productions with students can also lead to conflicts of interest in various ways. Professors may develop relationships with certain students, in the rehearsal and production process, that could impact future casting decisions. These conflicts of interest can undermine the integrity of the production and the educational experience.

When I was in college, this was a common practice. My theatre director would even go as far as to bring in local actors to play lead roles in student productions. I hated it.

To create a supportive and equitable learning environment in theater education, it is best to avoid casting theater professors in shows with their students. Instead, professors should focus on providing guidance and constructive feedback while allowing students to explore their artistic potential without the potential drawbacks of such dual roles. This approach will ensure that theater education remains a space where students can freely express themselves, take creative risks, and grow as artists.