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 forged 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 trade 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 notice it was a viable career till attending drama faculty. As a youngster, I created a scrapbook that includes pictures from my favourite musicals and TV exhibits, casting my associates in varied roles. I took the casting course of very severely, too, even going as far as to have associates sing songs or carry out scenes to ensure my instincts had been appropriate.
It was whereas learning musical theater at drama faculty I found that casting was a career. 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 needed to move 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 throughout the 2020 shutdown of the Australian tour of Shrek the Musical because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The heightened concentrate on the Black Lives Matter motion prompted essential conversations throughout the trade. Actively collaborating in these discussions, I noticed a big 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 trade, I questioned how significant change might happen with out numerous voices on the decision-making desk. Taking inventory of my profession, I spotted I had achieved every little thing I desired as a performer. Motivated by a want 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 to 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 searching for help in increasing an ongoing casting course of. Regardless of the everyday constraints of a theater undertaking price range, which frequently leans in the direction of native expertise, I advocated for a broader search to make sure we discovered the perfect forged potential for this Australian premiere.
For the reason that casting course of was already underway with set callback dates, my focus shifted towards gathering as many audition tapes as potential 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 of auditioning for theater. Quite a lot of these discussions additionally focussed on methods to take such a selected story in regards to the Black American expertise and methods to forged it with a largely African Australian forged who would have some comparable however largely completely different cultural references, particularly when it got here to the gospel music.
Engaged on initiatives that contain partaking with artists unfamiliar with theater, appearing or auditioning entails a big period of time spent speaking over the cellphone or Zoom. I information them on methods to put together supplies, inform them in regards to the audition course of and join them with appearing 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 potential 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 simple from there. For a lot of forged members, Choir Boy marked their debut in skilled theater and it brings me immense delight to see how far they’ve come. They really labored magic on stage, evidenced by the quite a few nominations for the Sydney Theatre Awards they acquired!
How did your CGA recognition and win really feel?
Receiving the CGA recognition and successful the award was genuinely a shock. Being nominated alongside such a proficient cohort of casting administrators doing distinctive work, particularly as a first-time nominee—and my first 12 months within the Guild—felt like a big honor in itself. The win, nevertheless, was extremely affirming. I’m within the early phases of my profession as a casting director and deeply keen about my work and fostering constructive change. The popularity from my friends by way of this award felt like a powerful encouragement, as in the event that they had been saying, “You’re doing nice work—hold going.”
You stroll the stroll on the subject of 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 realize this. These ideas function the inspiration for my casting follow, tailor-made to every undertaking’s distinctive necessities.
Whereas the time period “inclusive” is usually seen on casting briefs, its true which means can typically lack depth and should not align with sure initiatives’ 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 had been crucial to make sure the story’s correct illustration.
When engaged on initiatives with much less prescriptive identification necessities, an “inclusive” strategy could also be relevant. Nevertheless, I emphasize the significance of pairing inclusivity with aware casting. For me, constructive illustration holds better significance than mere visibility. Whereas my overarching aim is to diversify phases 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. Nevertheless, I constantly gauge how I forged 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 undertaking. 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 targeted on the folks throughout the world we want to create.
My greatest work occurs once I can dive into the script—understanding what the author needs to convey. This helps me join with the director to form the world of the undertaking based mostly on their imaginative and prescient, in addition to mine. With sufficient prep time, I can take a focused strategy to casting, realizing precisely what we’re searching for. However typically, 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 possibility of biases creeping in. The aim is to set a strong basis that guides us by way of a smoother and extra considerate casting course of.
With regards to the precise auditions themselves, how do you concentrate on making a secure area for the actors?
Guaranteeing a secure 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 setting the place people really feel empowered to specific their wants comfortably. To facilitate this, I make a concerted effort to collect pertinent info beforehand, recognizing that some could also be hesitant to talk up.
By asking considerate questions previous to auditions, I goal to know every artist’s distinctive circumstances, extending past their skills to embody private issues like caregiving obligations or cultural wants. I’m conscious of the trade’s historical past of misusing such info, resulting in actors’ reservations. Regardless of this, I consider that realizing these particulars permits me to advocate for actors who could also be reluctant to share their particular necessities.
Components equivalent to household commitments, audition preparation expertise and geographic location all affect an actor’s efficiency on audition day. I’m actively working to shift the trade narrative by using this info not as a hindrance however as a software to assist actors successfully. My aim is to supply each actor with an equal alternative, understanding that particular person wants fluctuate broadly. Armed with this data, I transient the audition panel accordingly and join with the artists beforehand, guaranteeing the enjoying subject is as equitable as potential 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 unfavorable experiences they could have encountered throughout auditions I’ve carried out, enabling me to be taught 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 secure avenue for constructive suggestions with out concern of repercussions.
That’s unimaginable. Do you’ve any extra recommendation for the way actors can step up and contribute to the present evolution of the trade, too?
Navigating the challenges in our trade may be powerful and I perceive the struggles actors face. Whereas it could appear to be alternatives are scarce or that particular person influence is restricted, actors possess extra company than they could notice. Reaching a extra equitable trade requires collective effort.
If a job or present doesn’t align along with your values or contribute positively to illustration, it’s okay to cross. Holding out for alternatives that resonate with you is a robust approach to form the trade’s narrative. Keep in mind, there’ll all the time 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 trade, particularly these associated to inclusivity and illustration. Your consciousness contributes to the broader dialog.
Lastly, in the event you [or other actors] ever want somebody to bounce concepts off or search recommendation, I’m right here. Let’s foster a supportive neighborhood the place actors can empower one another and collectively contribute to the constructive evolution of our trade.
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Particular due to Rhys Velasquez for his or her time. Upcoming open requires Evolution Casting may be discovered on their web site and Instagram.
This text initially appeared on Casting Networks.
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Written by Tahlia Norrish