To Cast, Or Not To Cast...

Veronica is joined by guest Jonathan Smith (he/him) to scrutinize the modes of gatekeeping enacted by sign up sheet culture for open call auditions, union access, and casting directors.  How can casting directors who are unknowledgeable about the dance forms they are casting in become gatekeepers, despite good intentions? In the age of technology, are casting directors even needed anymore or do they add an extra barrier for access into the dance industry? And, the question to close us out as we inch closer to January 2025: what will theater and Broadway shows look like if we enter four years under Trump?

Jonathan McClinton Smith (he/him, IG: @jonathannsmith) was most recently seen on Broadway in Disney's Aladdin. Smith has danced with Step Afrika!, The 7 Fingers, Telemundo, Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque Dreams, Les Farfadais, and many more. Smith was also in two world premieres in 2023: Malvolio (Classical Theatre of Harlem) and Watch Night (Dir & Choreo: Bill T. Jones, PAC NYC).

(recorded: November 19, 2024)

The Dance Union
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HOSTS

j. bouey
www.jbouey.com/
IG/Twitter: @j_bouey
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Veronica Jiao
veronicaraejiao.com/
IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes