SVS CASTING PHILOSOPHY

It is our responsibility as arts leaders in our community to provide a safe creative space for seasoned professionals to practice their art and for emerging artists to grow in their craft. For every community member to fully experience the beauty of each story, the people telling the story must reflect our community. That is why SVS makes the conscious choice to ensure the following casting commitments throughout each season:

• At least 50% of our casting for the season represents our BIPOC community

• At least 50% of our casting for a season represents underrepresented genders, and every other season one show is entirely dedicated to 100% casting of systemically minoritized groups

• A wide spectrum of physical and personal identities are represented, including age and body type

• Every summer SVS holds space for acting trainees who in addition to being cast in a main stage show receive mentoring in the form of monologue coaching, resume review, and complimentary professional headshots (taken by SVS photography artists!) to set them up for future success. Emerging young artists gaining experience from the wisdom of seasoned professionals and more mature artists being invigorated by the passion and drive of artists at the early stages of their careers is truly a thing of beauty.

At SVS we recognize that cultivating the next generation of artists and gaining insight from their fresh perspective is important and crucial to the future success of the arts.

Theatre and the stories they tell are for everyone and it is our responsibility as artists to reflect that on our stage and in the artistic team behind the scenes. We hope that if we were to turn a mirror to our beloved audience, we would see the same thing… a beautiful tapestry of our community, each bringing their unique perspective and heart to the beautiful experience of live theatre.