Bromley Players Policy on Fair Casting (2020)

 

Introduction

• Bromley Players exists to enable its members to participate in the production of drama and musical theatre. It is the aspiration of this group that standards of production should be of the highest order possible for the personal satisfaction of participants together with due  consideration of and responsibility to a paying audience. It follows that the best performers  possible should be cast as appropriate for planned productions.

• In choosing productions, Bromley Players will endeavour to ensure that there is a reasonable match between available membership and talent required for performance. Notwithstanding this commitment, there will be occasions when invitations to audition may be made should a shortfall in performer availability be anticipated. This should not be taken to imply anyexception to the audition process or favouritism towards individuals invited by whatever means.

• Bromley Players prides itself as being a fair society, therefore a fundamental principle in casting a production is that fair audition process will be followed and be seen to have been followed.

4)    All roles will be cast on a colour blind basis. The application of this means Bromley Players      will audition and cast purely based on merit for the role, meaning ones ethnicity does not factor into the decision to cast. This includes when casting family members within the show. The only exception to this is when the race of the character drives the narrative of the show.

Procedure

• Anyone intending to present themselves for the initial auditions for a Bromley Players’ production must be a paid up member of the society.

• Procedures for acceptance as an acting member of Bromley Players are specified in the society constitution.

• New member auditions must be completed prior to the commencement of the production audition process.

• Members of Bromley Players are entitled to audition on an equal basis for any role in the current show regardless of length of membership.

• In order to be considered for casting, all persons auditioning must have completed all elements required for the part in question e.g. singing, acting, movement and/or dance regardless of previous experience or knowledge of that experience by the audition panel (due regard being given to temporary physical limitation on audition participation as a result of injury or ill-health).

• The auditions will take place in front of an audition panel of 4-6 people which will include at  least two committee members. Bromley Players Members are entitled to be present.

• Members auditioning will be required to leave the room while other members audition for the same part.  If they fail to leave the room, then they will not be permitted to audition for that role in the first round of auditions.

• The director and musical director of the show are not permitted to audition. If anyone else on the audition panel wishes to audition for the show then they must leave the room when the audition panel is discussing that role. Bromley Players however will endeavour to ensure that this should be an exceptional situation.

• All members auditioning will be required to complete an audition form to indicate

1. The primary role being auditioned for
2. Options should the audition be unsuccessful:
3. Other parts they would be willing to be considered for or
4. ii) Not to be in the show at all. This will not be a factor in casting the role.

• Membership of Bromley Players of itself will not confer entitlement to casting in a show should the audition panel determine that the required standard has not been met.

• Should those auditioning for a particular role not meet the required standard at an initial audition then the audition panel will, as a first option, be entitled to recall for further audition in that role or for consideration of an alternative role.

• Should the role remain uncast then the audition panel may hold auditions which will be open to persons not currently members of Bromley Players. The audition panel may contact  potential candidates to invite them to audition at the open auditions.

• Should the part still remain uncast following open auditions the audition panel may then invite someone to play the role.

• All Bromley Players members auditioning for the show are entitled to receive feedback following their audition.