Casting Director Rhys Velasquez on Their Core Ideas of Aware, Inclusive and Consultant Casting

Rhys Velasquez is an award-winning casting director, advocate and—of their previous life—musical theater performer.

After graduating from Australia’s Ballarat Arts Academy in 2013, Velasquez was solid in a number of worldwide and nationwide theater excursions, together with Shrek the Musical, As soon as on This Island and Paw Patrol Dwell earlier than hanging up their faucet footwear and entering into casting.

Based in 2021, Velasquez’s Evolution Casting relies out of Naarm (Melbourne, Victoria), the place Velasquez additionally works as Casting Affiliate for the Melbourne Theatre Firm and is on the Board of Administrators of Stage A Change—a company dedicated to championing artists and performers of colour.

We not too long ago sat down with Velasquez to debate auditions, accountability, advocacy and extra.

You began on this business as a performer earlier than turning to casting. What motivated that shift for you?

I really found my ardour for casting at a younger age, though I didn’t understand it was a viable occupation till attending drama faculty. As an adolescent, I created a scrapbook that includes pictures from my favourite musicals and TV reveals, casting my pals in numerous roles. I took the casting course of very critically, too, even going as far as to have pals sing songs or carry out scenes to verify my instincts have been right.

It was whereas learning musical theater at drama faculty I found that casting was a occupation. Regardless of my love for performing, I discovered myself more and more drawn to the inventive course of. By the point I graduated, I used to be sure I wished to go straight into casting. Regardless of preliminary setbacks in contacting casting administrators for job alternatives, I continued my journey in performing and delved into choreography, which deepened my appreciation for the casting course of.

My turning level got here in the course of the 2020 shutdown of the Australian tour of Shrek the Musical because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The heightened deal with the Black Lives Matter motion prompted essential conversations throughout the Business. Actively taking part in these discussions, I noticed a major lack of illustration from people with comparable lived experiences and intersectional identities within the casting course of.

Recognizing this void in perspective as a supply of exclusion in our Business, I questioned how significant change may happen with out numerous voices on the decision-making desk. Taking inventory of my profession, I spotted I had achieved all the pieces I desired as a performer. Motivated by a need to contribute to constructive change, I made a decision to pursue casting full-time by establishing my very own firm.

Simply final 12 months, you gained the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) Award for Finest Casting in a Theatre Manufacturing on your work on Choir Boy. What was your course of for casting that manufacturing?

Engaged on Choir Boy was such a pleasure! I used to be contacted by Affiliate Producer Daniel Cottier in search of help in increasing an ongoing casting course of. Regardless of the everyday constraints of a theater challenge price range, which regularly leans in direction of native expertise, I advocated for a broader search to make sure we discovered the most effective solid doable for this Australian premiere.

Because the casting course of was already underway with set callback dates, my focus shifted towards gathering as many audition tapes as doable from actors and singers. Moreover, I invested appreciable time in conversations with members from the African communities in Sydney, Melbourne and past, aiming to unearth distinctive vocalists who mightn’t have thought-about auditioning for theater. A variety of these discussions additionally focussed on how one can take such a selected story concerning the Black American expertise and how one can solid it with a largely African Australian solid who would have some comparable however largely totally different cultural references, particularly when it got here to the gospel music.

Engaged on tasks that contain partaking with artists unfamiliar with theater, performing or auditioning entails a major period of time spent speaking over the telephone or Zoom. I information them on how one can put together supplies, inform them concerning the audition course of and join them with performing or vocal coaches of their space. I additionally present teaching myself to assist them really feel extra assured when getting into the audition room, guaranteeing they’re as shut as doable to being as ready as somebody with way more expertise.

After compiling a listing of audition tapes, we invited chosen actors for in-person auditions in Sydney and Melbourne and the method was fairly easy from there. For a lot of solid members, Choir Boy marked their debut in skilled theater and it brings me immense delight to see how far they’ve come. They honestly labored magic on stage, evidenced by the quite a few nominations for the Sydney Theatre Awards they obtained!

How did your CGA recognition and win really feel?

Receiving the CGA recognition and profitable the award was genuinely a shock. Being nominated alongside such a gifted cohort of casting administrators doing distinctive work, particularly as a first-time nominee—and my first 12 months within the Guild—felt like a major honor in itself. The win, nevertheless, was extremely affirming. I’m within the early levels of my profession as a casting director and deeply obsessed with my work and fostering constructive change. The popularity from my friends by this award felt like a convincing encouragement, as in the event that they have been saying, “You’re doing nice work—maintain going.”

You stroll the stroll relating to championing range and equality. Are you able to converse to your three core ideas of aware, inclusive and consultant casting?

Genuinely championing inclusion and variety is on the core of my casting mission with aware, inclusive and consultant casting working because the guiding ideas to attain this. These ideas function the inspiration for my casting observe, tailor-made to every challenge’s distinctive necessities.

Whereas the time period “inclusive” is often seen on casting briefs, its true that means can generally lack depth and will not align with sure tasks’ contextual calls for. I gained’t delve extensively into the definitions—they’re obtainable on my web site—however let me illustrate with an instance. For Choir Boy, a story deeply rooted within the Black and queer expertise, consultant casting was paramount. It was essential for me to hunt actors with lived experiences in each identities to authentically convey the story. On this context, the time period “inclusive” doesn’t totally seize the nuance, as sure exclusions have been mandatory to make sure the story’s correct illustration.

When engaged on tasks with much less prescriptive id necessities, an “inclusive” strategy could also be relevant. Nonetheless, I emphasize the significance of pairing inclusivity with aware casting. For me, constructive illustration holds better significance than mere visibility. Whereas my overarching purpose is to diversify levels and screens radically, I navigate this consciously to keep away from perPetuating damaging stereotypes or tropes for underrepresented communities. Media has a considerable affect in shaping perceptions, each consciously and subconsciously and I stay hyper-aware of this energy in each casting determination.

This strategy will not be about limiting actors from embracing sophisticated, messy roles—in spite of everything, complexity is inherent to humanity. Nonetheless, I constantly gauge how I solid actors from underrepresented communities in comparison with these from overrepresented identities. It’s about understanding the dynamics between the position and actor throughout the context of the textual content, guaranteeing a considerate and balanced portrayal.

Given this, what’s your strategy to discovering actors?

My strategy varies relying on the challenge. The important thing for me is having thorough discussions upfront, even earlier than involving brokers and actors. Inside the course of of making, I see casting as a type of dramaturgy and design centered on the individuals throughout the world we want to create.

My greatest work occurs once I can dive into the script—understanding what the author desires to convey. This helps me join with the director to form the world of the challenge based mostly on their imaginative and prescient, in addition to mine. With sufficient prep time, I can take a focused strategy to casting, figuring out precisely what we’re on the lookout for. However generally, resulting from time constraints, we should open it up for submissions and determine issues out alongside the best way.

I favor the primary technique as a result of I like creating a transparent and inclusive blueprint. It not solely helps us discover the fitting match for the roles but additionally reduces the prospect of biases creeping in. The purpose is to set a stable basis that guides us by a smoother and extra considerate casting course of.

With regards to the precise auditions themselves, how do you concentrate on making a protected area for the actors?

Guaranteeing a protected area in auditions is undoubtedly difficult, given the differing perceptions of security amongst each actors and the audition panel. My focus lies in creating an atmosphere the place people really feel empowered to precise their wants comfortably. To facilitate this, I make a concerted effort to collect pertinent data beforehand, recognizing that some could also be hesitant to talk up.

By asking considerate questions previous to auditions, I purpose to know every artist’s distinctive circumstances, extending past their talents to embody private concerns like caregiving duties or cultural wants. I’m conscious of the Business’s historical past of misusing such data, resulting in actors’ reservations. Regardless of this, I consider that figuring out these particulars permits me to advocate for actors who could also be reluctant to share their particular necessities.

Components reminiscent of household commitments, audition preparation expertise and geographic location all affect an actor’s efficiency on audition day. I’m actively working to shift the business narrative by using this data not as a hindrance however as a software to help actors successfully. My purpose is to offer each actor with an equal alternative, understanding that particular person wants range extensively. Armed with this information, I transient the audition panel accordingly and join with the artists beforehand, guaranteeing the enjoying discipline is as equitable as doable for each seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.

I additionally perceive that, regardless of my greatest intentions, there could also be cases the place hurt or lack of entry happens. In gentle of this, I’ve established a devoted web page on my web site the place actors can submit suggestions anonymously. This platform permits them to share adverse experiences they could have encountered throughout auditions I’ve carried out, enabling me to study from these experiences and constantly enhance. I consider within the energy of accountability, acknowledging the challenges actors face in holding these in energy accountable and try to create a protected avenue for constructive suggestions with out worry of repercussions.

That’s unbelievable. Do you’ve any extra recommendation for the way actors can step up and contribute to the present evolution of the business, too?

Navigating the challenges in our business might be powerful and I perceive the struggles actors face. Whereas it could seem to be alternatives are scarce or that particular person impression is restricted, actors possess extra company than they could understand. Attaining a extra equitable business requires collective effort.

If a job or present doesn’t align along with your values or contribute positively to illustration, it’s okay to move. Holding out for alternatives that resonate with you is a robust solution to form the Business’s narrative. Bear in mind, there’ll at all times be extra possibilities on the horizon.

Advocating for your self is essential. Don’t hesitate to speak your must do your greatest work. Keep engaged and knowledgeable about ongoing discussions throughout the business, particularly these associated to inclusivity and illustration. Your consciousness contributes to the broader dialog.

Lastly, in case you [or other actors] ever want somebody to bounce concepts off or search recommendation, I’m right here. Let’s foster a supportive group the place actors can empower one another and collectively contribute to the constructive evolution of our business.

–

Particular due to Rhys Velasquez for his or her time. Upcoming open requires Evolution Casting might be discovered on their web site and Instagram.

This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.

Wish to get your performing profession began? Enroll or log in to Casting Frontier and begin auditioning at present!

You might also like:

Put up Views: 7

Written by Tahlia Norrish