“Directors should absolutely be mindful of how they interact with auditioners looking for answers. But actors should recognize that casting is a complex puzzle.”

“Many audition tip lists will share things you should have done weeks or months before stepping into the room. And while training, research, rehearsal, and resume cultivation are essential pieces of the auditioning puzzle, here are six suggestions that I, as director, encourage you to follow if you’re stepping into the audition room today.”

“I’ve learned that many able-bodied neurotypical people in the community have the perception that inclusion and accessibility are incredible insurmountable feats. They aren’t, at all. If you’re running a community theatre, you have a responsibility to find room at the figurative table for performers that reflect your community. I guarantee that your community is diverse in terms of how their bodies and brains work.”

“This Thanksgiving, I am overwhelmingly grateful for all of the wonderful artists I’ve worked with this year, most of all those who have donated their time and talents to the pursuit of making art. Don’t forget to give thanks for everyone who makes community theatre possible.”

“There’s nothing about the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge that says he can’t be Deaf. There’s nothing that says that the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella can’t be blind. There’s nothing that pigeonholes anyone when you remember that folks with disabilities are people, just like everyone else, who can be misers or fairy godmothers or flirtatious townswomen. That openness is, inherently, authentic casting.”

“No system will be perfect, and art will never be objective, but I absolutely find value in participating in the recognition and celebration of theatrical productions in my community.”

“Producing theatre in a pandemic has completely changed the narrative around performing while sick. The caution around illness has forced us to take a step back before deciding to perform or rehearse with symptoms.”

“This Thanksgiving season, I encourage you to find gratitude within the grind. Remember why we missed these rehearsal rooms so much when we weren’t allowed to be in them. Remember the passion that led us to the theatre in the first place.”

“As many of us prepare to return to in-person theatre, there’s been an emphasis on safety like never before. While COVID precautions are vital, we must also take precautions to keep our casts safe from dangerous people. Simply put, predators appear anywhere people gather. But over time I’ve found person after person who somehow thinks that we theatremakers are immune from incidents happening in our communities. The truth is, we’re not.”

“If virtual performance or production is something that interests you, I encourage you to take part. If that sounds like something that isn’t your cup of tea, I respect that entirely. But there’s no reason to imply that anyone isn’t a real theatre maker because of that choice.”