The Non-Traditional Casting Project

by Sharon Jensen, NTCP

Established in 1986, the Non-Traditional Casting Project (NTCP) is a not-for-profit advocacy organization whose purpose is to address and seek solutions to the problems of racism and exclusion in theatre, film and television. The only organization of its kind in the country, NTCP's principal concerns are that artists of color -- African American, Asian American, Caribbean Black, Indian (subcontinental), Latino and Native American; female artists; Deaf and hard of hearing artists and artists with disabilities are denied equitable professional opportunities; and that this exclusion is not only patently discriminatory, but a serious loss to the cultural life of the nation. Furthermore, this exclusion has resulted in a theatre, film and television industry that does not reflect the diversity of our society.

NTCP works to advance the participation of artists of color, female artists, artists who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and artists with disabilities. NTCP objectives are to promote inclusive hiring practices and standards, diversity in programming, and balanced portrayals of persons of color and persons with disabilities. NTCP considers this a comprehensive issue which extends to the participation of actors, directors, designers, writers, choreographers -- all those who make up the artistic team; as well as the production staff; the administrative staff, Boards of Directors and audience.

NTCP advocates the full participation of artists of color and artists with disabilities through the strengthening of culturally-specific and disability-specific institutions as well as through expanding opportunities at institutions that primarily produce or present work based in a European tradition.

Recognizing that control over all artistic aspects of a production rightly belongs to its creative team, NTCP works cooperatively -- not confrontationally -- as catalyst, facilitator, and when necessary, mediator. The ultimate aim of NTCP is for all artists to be considered as individuals and to achieve within the profession, as well as the public, a better understanding of and respect for racial, cultural and physical difference.

The arc of NTCP's work involves 1) advocacy in shaping policy in the profession toward a more inclusive standard, 2) consciousness raising and education, and 3) specific programs through which producers, directors, and casting directors can implement inclusion.

To date, NTCP has established the following programs:

• two national conferences on non-traditional casting and cultural diversity; nine regional conferences in Washington, D.C., Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, Toronto, Rochester, and Hartford;

• 125 forums and seminars with professional, community and educational institutions;

• a national newsletter, New Traditions, published periodically for the purpose of reporting on local, regional and national activities of non-traditional casting and cultural diversity, as well as providing a forum for ongoing exploration of the issue;

• a series of Resource Guides for employers of actors with disabilities. These guides, currently in development, will outline and discuss steps for including actors with disabilities in the audition process and production. The first guide titled "Listening with an Open Eye" focuses on actors who are Deaf and hard of hearing which we hope to make available on the Internet by mid-to-late 1998;

• a national information and consulting service. Whether advising on how to organize a regional symposium, responding to institutions and public agencies on issues of cultural diversity, or providing research materials for journalists, educators or students, consulting is a key feature of NTCP activity;

• a series of roundtables held in New York City. Six to eight producers, directors, actors, journalists and community leaders participate in each discussion. These informal gatherings are intended to build a committed group of people in a position to further inclusion and diversity;

• production of a book, Beyond Tradition, an educational video tape, Breaking Tradition, and an ethnic playwrights listing;

• a national talent bank, the Artist Files. The most extensive resource of its kind in the country, the Files contain the pictures and resumes of 4,800 actors, directors, writers, designers, choreographers and stage managers of color, as well as those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and artists with disabilities. There is no charge to be included in the Files or to use them. As of April 25, 1997, the Files had been consulted for 1,703 theatre, film and television productions. The Artist Files are available to the profession Monday through Friday by appointment. Artists who wish to be included in the Files should send NTCP a single glossy 8x10 photograph and resume. For artists with disabilities, please indicate the accommodation used; for artists of color, please indicate your cultural identification.

• Artist Files Online (AFO) -- a project which makes the Artist Files accessible by computer and modem to theatres, production companies and casting offices throughout the country. Artist Files Online is NTCP's proprietary online software program, for use in a Windows environment. AFO transmits the pictures and resumes from our Artist Files over telephone lines for viewing on a computer screen. By October of 1997, AFO will also be available over the Internet.

NTCP has been recognized for its work with an OBIE in 1987, a New England Theatre Conference award in 1992, a New York City Mayor's Very Special Arts award in 1993, and a Drama Desk in 1995.

The Non-Traditional Casting Project has received support from the Shubert Foundation, American Express Company, The Lawson Valentine Foundation, Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild-Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Educational Foundation of America, The Mackintosh Foundation, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Joyce Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, New York Community Trust, League of American Theatres and Producers, Theatre Development Fund, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Herb Alpert Foundation, AT&T Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, PLAYBILL, The Really Useful Company, JP Morgan, Actors' Equity Foundation, Livent Inc., Jujamcyn Theatres Corp., Capital Cities/ABC Foundation, National Broadcasting Corporation, Inc., the Edith Meiser Foundation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, IBM Corporation, HBO, Michael Douglas, Lawrence Ramer Family Fund, NYNEX, Chase Manhattan Bank, Philip Morris Companies Inc., Union Camp Corporation, Grossbart Barnett Productions and The Dole Foundation.

While some gains have been made in the last 11 years in the area of disability, NTCP recognizes that much remains to be done to achieve full inclusion, diversity and accessibility in American theatre, film and television. For more information, contact the Non-Traditional Casting Project, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10036. Telephone -- 212/730-4750, Fax -- 212/730-4820, TDD -- 212/730-4913; NTCP's web site-- http://www.ntcp.org; e-mail -- info@ntcp.org

National Endowment for the Arts · an independent federal agency
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20506