It is the belief of the creative team at Theatre Kidz Los Angeles (TKLA) that casting be a fair process in which no discrimination takes place regarding age, race, gender, or ability. All students will receive a role. All students will receive a featured moment within each production, regardless of role size. All students will be considered for all roles, and placement for each production will be based on the following criteria:

 

1. Preference, specifically regarding performer’s comfort with gendered roles and singing/dialogue solos, including: 

   1. Gender identity. No child will be asked to play a role of their non-identifying gender if this is out of the performer’s realm of comfort; either the role assigned will be changed to adhere to the preferred gender identity, or the role assigned will be the same as the student’s identifying gender

      1. All students will be given the opportunity to voice this preference before casting takes place

   2. Solo lines or songs. No child will be asked to speak solo dialogue or sing solos if they do not desire to perform those elements

      1. All students will be given the opportunity to voice this preference before casting takes place

   3. This does not include preference of role for its nature in type (principle, supporting, ensemble, protagonist, antagonist, hero, villain, comedic relief, sidekick, etc.)

 

1. Audition, including:

   1. Participation in the audition process

      1. learning and singing song(s) from the play

      2. learning and performing movement combination(s), typically set to music from the play

      3. using provided materials to read scene(s) from the play

   2. If a performer chooses not to participate in the audition process it will reduce opportunities for principle role assignment

   3. All students will receive a role in each production regardless of audition participation

 

1. Shared opportunities, including:

   1. For returning students, participation in previous productions will be taken into consideration, regarding:

      1. Previous role size (principle, supporting, ensemble); variation in role size between productions so that students’ experiences are well-rounded and equitable 

      2. Previous role type (protagonist, antagonist, hero, villain, comedic relief, sidekick, etc.); variation in type of role assigned so that students receive a well-rounded experience and opportunity for growth 

      3. General participation efforts (attendance, memorization, daily rehearsal participation, effort, and attentiveness)

   2. For new students, not having previous participation in TKLA programming will not prohibit receiving a principle or supporting principle role based solely on their newness to the program

   3. Age. Performers of all ages will have equal consideration for principle and supporting principle roles without regard to age or seniority amongst peers

 

1. Leadership, including:

   1. Students who demonstrate strong leadership skills will be considered for captain positions within and outside of roles pertaining to the specific play, in both rehearsal and performance aspects of each production

 

The creative team at TKLA will not base casting decisions on any of the following criteria:

 

1. Student or parent/guardian requests, including:

   1. In-person requests by students or guardians

   2. Electronic correspondence by parents/guardians, including emails, texts, phone calls, or any other forms of digital communication

   3. Bribery attempt of any kind is prohibited and will not be tolerated

 

1. Previous participation in outside theatrical activities, including:

   1. Performances at other theatre companies, amateur or professional

   2. Performances at student’s school 

   3. Training at other arts education institutions

 

1. Favoritism or nepotism, meaning:

   1. The creative team and teaching staff will not favor any one student over the other in any way that reflects favored role assignment

   2. The creative team and teaching staff will not engage in favoring any relative or family member when considering role assignments 

 

Rules of exemption:

 

The TKLA creative team reserves the right to implement exceptions to the established casting policies and guidelines, including but not limited to:

 

1. Cast/participating student count and impact on a specific program’s production:

   1. In the event that the number of registered students is disproportionate to the available roles for a specific play, (less students and more roles and vice versa) casting may be impacted

   2. In the event that the number of registered students is disproportionate to the available roles for a specific play, roles may be eliminated from the play entirely

   3. In the event that one or more students discontinues participation in the program after casting, their previously assigned role may be:

      1. Re-cast with one or more students

      2. Eliminated

      3. Changed to better serve the production

 

1. Unforeseen circumstances:

   1. In the event that an extenuating or unforeseen circumstance impacts one or more students, casting decisions may be made to accommodate 

 

The entire team at TKLA adheres to these policies to the best of their ability, and stands firmly behind non-discriminatory and equitable casting procedures. The team will consistently work to ensure that every participant in our programs will build confidence, nurture friendships, and grow through the theatre arts. The team asks that participants trust their vision, expertise, and extensive experience with guiding young performers and placing them where they will excel in each production and program. Feedback is welcome, as TKLA believes all voices should be heard.