Casting Director Rhys Velasquez on Their Core Principles of Conscious, Inclusive and Representative Casting

Rhys Velasquez is an award-winning casting director, advocate and—in their past life—musical theater performer.

After graduating from Australia’s Ballarat Arts Academy in 2013, Velasquez was cast in several international and national theater tours, including Shrek the Musical, Once on This Island and Paw Patrol Live before hanging up their tap shoes and stepping into casting.

Founded in 2021, Velasquez’s Evolution Casting is based out of Naarm (Melbourne, Victoria), where Velasquez also works as Casting Associate for the Melbourne Theatre Company and is on the Board of Directors of Stage A Change—an organization committed to championing artists and performers of color.

We recently sat down with Velasquez to discuss auditions, accountability, advocacy and more.

You started in this industry as a performer before turning to casting. What motivated that shift for you?

I actually discovered my passion for casting at a young age, although I didn’t realize it was a viable profession until attending drama school. As a teenager, I created a scrapbook featuring images from my favorite musicals and TV shows, casting my friends in various roles. I took the casting process very seriously, too, even going so far as to have friends sing songs or perform scenes to make sure my instincts were correct.

It was while studying musical theater at drama school I discovered that casting was a profession. Despite my love for performing, I found myself increasingly drawn to the creative process. By the time I graduated, I was certain I wanted to head straight into casting. Despite initial setbacks in contacting casting directors for job opportunities, I continued my journey in performing and delved into choreography, which deepened my appreciation for the casting process.

My turning point came during the 2020 shutdown of the Australian tour of Shrek the Musical due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The heightened focus on the Black Lives Matter movement prompted crucial conversations within the industry. Actively participating in these discussions, I observed a significant lack of representation from individuals with similar lived experiences and intersectional identities in the casting process.

Recognizing this void in perspective as a source of exclusion in our industry, I questioned how meaningful change could occur without diverse voices at the decision-making table. Taking stock of my career, I realized I had achieved everything I desired as a performer. Motivated by a desire to contribute to positive change, I decided to pursue casting full-time by establishing my own company.

Just last year, you won the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) Award for Best Casting in a Theatre Production for your work on Choir Boy. What was your process for casting that production?

Working on Choir Boy was such a joy! I was contacted by Associate Producer Daniel Cottier seeking assistance in expanding an ongoing casting process. Despite the typical constraints of a theater project budget, which often leans towards local talent, I advocated for a broader search to ensure we found the best cast possible for this Australian premiere.

Since the casting process was already underway with set callback dates, my focus shifted toward gathering as many audition tapes as possible from actors and singers. Additionally, I invested considerable time in conversations with members from the African communities in Sydney, Melbourne and beyond, aiming to unearth exceptional vocalists who mightn’t have considered auditioning for theater. A lot of these discussions also focussed on how to take such a specific story about the Black American experience and how to cast it with a largely African Australian cast who would have some similar but mostly different cultural references, especially when it came to the gospel music.

Working on projects that involve engaging with artists unfamiliar with theater, acting or auditioning entails a significant amount of time spent communicating over the phone or Zoom. I guide them on how to prepare materials, inform them about the audition process and connect them with acting or vocal coaches in their area. I also provide coaching myself to help them feel more confident when entering the audition room, ensuring they are as close as possible to being as prepared as someone with far more experience.

After compiling a list of audition tapes, we invited selected actors for in-person auditions in Sydney and Melbourne and the process was pretty straightforward from there. For many cast members, Choir Boy marked their debut in professional theater and it brings me immense pride to see how far they’ve come. They truly worked magic on stage, evidenced by the numerous nominations for the Sydney Theatre Awards they received!

How did your CGA recognition and win feel?

Receiving the CGA recognition and winning the award was genuinely a surprise. Being nominated alongside such a talented cohort of casting directors doing exceptional work, especially as a first-time nominee—and my first year in the Guild—felt like a significant honor in itself. The win, however, was incredibly affirming. I’m in the early stages of my career as a casting director and deeply passionate about my work and fostering positive change. The recognition from my peers through this award felt like a resounding encouragement, as if they were saying, “You’re doing great work—keep going.”

You walk the walk when it comes to championing diversity and equality. Can you speak to your three core principles of conscious, inclusive and representative casting?

Genuinely championing inclusion and diversity is at the core of my casting mission with conscious, inclusive and representative casting working as the guiding principles to achieve this. These principles serve as the foundation for my casting practice, tailored to each project’s unique requirements.

While the term “inclusive” is commonly seen on casting briefs, its true meaning can sometimes lack depth and may not align with certain projects’ contextual demands. I won’t delve extensively into the definitions—they’re available on my website—but let me illustrate with an example. For Choir Boy, a narrative deeply rooted in the Black and queer experience, representative casting was paramount. It was crucial for me to seek actors with lived experiences in both identities to authentically convey the story. In this context, the term “inclusive” doesn’t fully capture the nuance, as certain exclusions were necessary to ensure the story’s accurate representation.

When working on projects with less prescriptive identity requirements, an “inclusive” approach may be applicable. However, I emphasize the importance of pairing inclusivity with conscious casting. For me, positive representation holds greater significance than mere visibility. While my overarching goal is to diversify stages and screens radically, I navigate this consciously to avoid perpetuating damaging stereotypes or tropes for underrepresented communities. Media has a substantial influence in shaping perceptions, both consciously and subconsciously and I remain hyper-aware of this power in every casting decision.

This approach is not about limiting actors from embracing complicated, messy roles—after all, complexity is inherent to humanity. However, I consistently gauge how I cast actors from underrepresented communities compared to those from overrepresented identities. It’s about understanding the dynamics between the role and actor within the context of the text, ensuring a thoughtful and balanced portrayal.

Given this, what’s your approach to finding actors?

My approach varies depending on the project. The key for me is having thorough discussions upfront, even before involving agents and actors. Within the process of creating, I see casting as a form of dramaturgy and design focused on the people within the world we wish to create.

My best work happens when I can dive into the script—understanding what the writer wants to convey. This helps me connect with the director to shape the world of the project based on their vision, as well as mine. With enough prep time, I can take a targeted approach to casting, knowing exactly what we’re looking for. But sometimes, due to time constraints, we must open it up for submissions and figure things out along the way.

I prefer the first method because I love creating a clear and inclusive blueprint. It not only helps us find the right fit for the roles but also reduces the chance of biases creeping in. The goal is to set a solid foundation that guides us through a smoother and more thoughtful casting process.

When it comes to the actual auditions themselves, how do you think about creating a safe space for the actors?

Ensuring a safe space in auditions is undoubtedly challenging, given the differing perceptions of safety among both actors and the audition panel. My focus lies in creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to express their needs comfortably. To facilitate this, I make a concerted effort to gather pertinent information beforehand, recognizing that some may be hesitant to speak up.

By asking thoughtful questions prior to auditions, I aim to understand each artist’s unique circumstances, extending beyond their abilities to encompass personal considerations like caregiving responsibilities or cultural needs. I’m aware of the industry’s history of misusing such information, leading to actors’ reservations. Despite this, I believe that knowing these details allows me to advocate for actors who may be reluctant to share their specific requirements.

Factors such as family commitments, audition preparation experience and geographic location all influence an actor’s performance on audition day. I’m actively working to shift the industry narrative by utilizing this information not as a hindrance but as a tool to support actors effectively. My goal is to provide every actor with an equal opportunity, understanding that individual needs vary widely. Armed with this knowledge, I brief the audition panel accordingly and connect with the artists beforehand, ensuring the playing field is as equitable as possible for both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.

I also understand that, despite my best intentions, there may be instances where harm or lack of access occurs. In light of this, I’ve established a dedicated page on my website where actors can submit feedback anonymously. This platform allows them to share negative experiences they may have encountered during auditions I’ve conducted, enabling me to learn from those experiences and continuously improve. I believe in the power of accountability, acknowledging the challenges actors face in holding those in power accountable and strive to create a safe avenue for constructive feedback without fear of repercussions.

That’s incredible. Do you have any additional advice for how actors can step up and contribute to the current evolution of the industry, too?

Navigating the challenges in our industry can be tough and I understand the struggles actors face. While it may seem like opportunities are scarce or that individual impact is limited, actors possess more agency than they might realize. Achieving a more equitable industry requires collective effort.

If a role or show doesn’t align with your values or contribute positively to representation, it’s okay to pass. Holding out for opportunities that resonate with you is a powerful way to shape the industry’s narrative. Remember, there will always be more chances on the horizon.

Advocating for yourself is crucial. Don’t hesitate to communicate your needs to do your best work. Stay engaged and informed about ongoing discussions within the industry, especially those related to inclusivity and representation. Your awareness contributes to the broader conversation.

Lastly, if you [or other actors] ever need someone to bounce ideas off or seek advice, I’m here. Let’s foster a supportive community where actors can empower each other and collectively contribute to the positive evolution of our industry.

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Special thanks to Rhys Velasquez for their time. Upcoming open calls for Evolution Casting can be found on their website and Instagram.

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