SCHOOL OF THEATRE CASTING POLICY

Policy Revision April 22, 2020

Statement of Principle
School of Theatre productions are the “laboratory” for students to further develop the performance
skills learned in the classroom. They are also the “forward-face” of the School of Theatre, serving
the regional community. As such, shows will be cast with student-centered concerns (pedagogy and
development) as the primary consideration, with creating the best possible rendering of the show an
important secondary concern.
Casting for all School of Theatre sponsored productions is open to any student, staff, or faculty
member of Penn State University, any member of the community, or any invited guest artist. Casting
shall be determined by open auditions. Notices detailing the time, place, and specific requirements of
each audition shall be posted, as far in advance as circumstances permit, on the call board outside of
the Stage Managers office, any virtual callboards, School of Theatre Social Media channels, and in
the School Newsletter (The Marquee). Auditions shall be by general auditions attended by all show
directors scheduled in the final weeks of the spring semester (for subsequent fall semester
productions), and in late September/early October (for subsequent spring semester productions).
Centre Stage summer productions will operate under a professional model, which will include
auditions for current students, faculty, alumni and professional guest artists.
The School of Theatre is committed to promoting equity, inclusivity, and the elimination of
discrimination in all casting. The School further recognizes that casting people from
diverse backgrounds is of high importance. To that end, inclusive casting principles will be followed
by all directors throughout the casting process. This means that the SoT will actively work to cast
actors of color, actors with disabilities, trans and gender non-conforming actors, and other members
of historically and currently marginalized communities.

Those auditioning will have the opportunity to state how they identify themselves, providing
necessary guidance to directors in making their casting decisions. Unless textually indicated or
specifically stipulated by the authors, all parts/roles shall be open to all actors without prejudice.

Registered theatre performance majors shall be given priority consideration for all available roles,
(unless prior permission has been granted by the Director of the School to engage a guest artist),
followed by theatre majors in any degree program. It is the responsibility of each student to be
knowledgeable about the shows being produced, and to enter into discussion with their program
heads in advance of the audition if there are roles they feel inappropriate for them for personal
reasons. Unless otherwise arranged prior to the initial audition, individuals will accept any
assignment “as cast.”
Programmatic requirements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and Acting are as
follows:
 Second through fourth-year BFA Musical Theatre majors are required to audition for all
musicals and encouraged to audition for all plays. First-year Musical Theatre majors will be
permitted to audition for shows in the spring semester of their first year.
Second through fourth-year BFA Acting majors are required to audition for all plays and
encouraged to audition for all musicals. First-year Acting majors will be permitted to
audition for shows in the spring semester of their first year.

Unless specific permission is given, no first semester Musical theatre or Acting student will
be cast. If casting in the spring semester prevents a First-year Musical Theatre or Acting
major from completing their THEA 289 crew assignment they will be required to complete
this requirement in the spring semester of a subsequent year.

If, in the opinion of a director, a suitable cast cannot be selected from those who have auditioned,
auditions may be extended beyond the original schedule, or specific individuals may be invited to fill
the need(s). This may involve the engagement of a guest artist or faculty guest artist. This practice
shall occur only with the authorization of the Director of the School of Theatre in consultation with
Program Heads.
Under certain circumstances directors may pre-cast a role or roles, including guest artists, with the
authorization of the Director of the School of Theatre in consultation with Program Heads. If any
roles have been pre-cast that information shall be included in all audition announcements.
Students are cautioned that over-extension may hinder their creative and academic growth. For this
reason, significant conversation will take place between directors, faculty, and Program Heads before
a student will be cast in more than one project per semester. These situations will typically be
reserved for the upper level semesters of study.
Final casting decisions for each semester will be made immediately following callbacks at a joint
casting session. Casting is not final until approval is given by the Director of the School of Theatre.