SETC News Winter 2025 by Southeastern Theatre Conference

Thoughts from the President’s Desk

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SETC Rolls Out the Red Carpet

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Tech Auditions, You Ask?

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Casting Beyond Type

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Job Listings & More

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Welcome to 2025: Exciting Times Ahead for SETC!

As we step into 2025, the energy is already building for one of the most anticipated events of the year! We are thrilled to announce the 2025 SETC Conference in Baltimore, taking place from March 19-22 It's going to be an incredible experience, so don’t miss it! Whether you ' re a returning participant or new to our community, this conference promises to inspire, connect, and empower everyone involved

Here’s what we are preparing:

Inspiring Performances

Jeremy Kisling (he/him) President

Thomas Pinckney (he/him)

Marketing & Communication Manager

thomas@setc org

We’ll have great performances in our festivals that will ignite your passion and fuel your creativity Expect an eclectic mix of styles and genres, showcasing the talents in the Secondary Play Festival, Community Theatre, the Fringe Festival, Short Play Festival, and Theatre for Youth Festivals These performances will light up the stage – and we can't wait for you to see their artistry!

Auditions and Networking Opportunities

The conference is more than just a chance to be inspired – it’s also a golden opportunity to connect with professionals in the field, whether

ConnectingYouto Opportunitiesin

TheatreNationwide

CentralOffice

SETC

5701 W Gate City Blvd

Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407

336 265 6148 info@setc org

ExecutiveCommittee

JeremyKisling(he/him) President

MatthewLeckenbusch(he/him) VPofServices

LynnNelson(she/her) VPofDivisions

RickyRamón(he/him) VPofEquity&Inclusion

IanAndersen(he/him) VPofStates

you’re looking to audition, find a job, collaborate, or simply network. We’ve created a variety of events where you can meet industry experts, fellow creatives, and potential collaborators It's the perfect environment to grow your network and take the next step in your career

Workshops for Every Interest

Our talented presenters have been working tirelessly to create workshops that cater to all interests and skill levels. Whether you ' re looking to improve your craft, learn new techniques, or engage in personal development, there’s something for everyone

The Team Behind the Magic (A Shout Out to SETC’s Staff)

Behind every incredible experience is a team of passionate individuals, and we are so fortunate to have an amazing staff working tirelessly to create an event that will leave you feeling inspired and connected. From the planning to the execution, their commitment to bringing you the best is evident in every detail of the conference.

Why You Can’t Miss This Event

AnnetteDeesGrevious(she/her) VPofFinance

Pat Gagliano (he/him) VP of Administration

JeffGibson(he/him) ElectedPastPresident

CarolineJaneDavis(she/her) Secretary

ADVERTISE withus!

SETC offers several affordable ways to put your program in front of a broad audience

Emailus for more information

Send your news to Thomas Pinckney, Marketing & Communications Manager

thomas@setc.org.

This conference is more than just an event; it's a chance to be part of a larger community that shares your passion and drive With the performances, auditions, networking, and workshops, you’ll walk away with not just new skills but also lasting connections that will continue to support you long after the conference ends.

So, get registered!!! for March 19-22, 2025, in Baltimore! We can't wait to see you there and share this incredible journey together

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the date – there's so much more to reveal!

ConnectingYouto Opportunitiesin TheatreNationwide

CentralOffice

SETC

5701 W Gate City Blvd

Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407

336 265 6148 info@setc org

Central Office Team

Jack Benjamin (he/him) Acting Executive Director

Beth Watkins Brown (she/her) Assistant Director

MaeganMcNerneyAzar(she/her) StaffBoardLiaison

AaliyahJordan(she/her) ResourceSpecialist

StevenH.Butler(he/him) ConventionManager

Nikki Baldwin (she/her) Support Staff Specialist & Asst to Editor-in-Chief

MarciDuncan(she/her) AuditionCoordinator

Thomas Pinckney(he/him) Communications & Marketing Manager

Sharell Luckett, PHD (she/her) Editor-in-Chief, Southern Theatre Magazine

MeganK.Audette(she/her) GuestExperienceTeamLeader

SETC Rolls Out the Red Carpet for HBCU Students and Faculty and BIPOC-Led Organizations

Get ready to welcome a wave of talented newcomers to SETC! This year, up to 100 students and faculty from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be joining us at the annual convention, thanks to the SETC HBCU Convention Grant. In addition, we are proud to welcome two BIPOC-led organizations through the SETC BIPOC-Led Organization Convention Grant These initiatives are making SETC more vibrant and inclusive than ever before.

But it's not just about bringing people in – it's about making them feel truly a part of the event. As SETC members, we each have a role to play in creating a warm and supportive environment where everyone feels like they belong.

Here are a few ways you can help make a difference Strike up a conversation: Don't be shy! Introduce yourself to HBCU attendees and members of the BIPOC-Led Organizations, learn about their programs, and share your own experiences Offer a helping hand: Navigating a large convention can be overwhelming. Offer to help attendees find their way around, answer questions, or connect them with resources. Be an active listener: Take the time to truly listen to and learn from the perspectives and experiences of all attendees. Celebrate their presence: Show your enthusiasm for having these grant recipients at SETC Let them know how much we value their contributions to the theatre community

SETC offers several affordable ways to put your program in front of a broad audience

Emailus for more information

Send your news to Thomas Pinckney, Marketing & Communication Manager

thomas@setc.org.

Many of you are familiar with the incredible work of Art Equity, an organization dedicated to creating a more just and equitable arts field. Their resources and training programs provide valuable guidance on fostering inclusive practices and dismantling systems of oppression within our organizations and communities. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can ensure that all attendees feel respected, valued, and empowered Together, we can make SETC a shining example of belonging and create an unforgettable experience for everyone

Ricky Ramón (he/him)

Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

Tech Auditions, You Ask?

by Marci Duncan, Audition Coordinator (she/her)

You asked and SETC answered! Tech candidates who are looking for professional opportunities as well as college programs (undergrad and graduate) can apply now! You will have the chance to interview with over 50 professional companies and college programs. At SETC we value the integral role technicians play in the success of theatre making Without you we could not make theatre Have you heard? Technicians are in high demand in theatres currently Professional companies and colleges now have the opportunity to find their technicians at the 2025 SETC Convention in Baltimore Maryland. We can connect you to your perfect match. It is our mission at SETC to connect YOU to theatre opportunities worldwide. Join us in this mission. If you are looking for more information on how to recruit, hire or apply please contact Marci J. Duncan, your auditions coordinator at Marci@setc.org.

Casting Beyond Type: A Call to Embrace Full Humanity in Theatre and Film

by Tiffany Gilly-Forrer (she/her)

Theatre and film are mediums of storytelling of connecting audiences to human experiences. Yet, despite progress in fostering diversity and inclusion, casting practices often still rely on narrow ideas of "type," perpetuating stereotypes that constrain actors and limit artistic imagination These outdated norms, rooted in physical attributes and commercial appeal, hinder the full exploration of character and story In this article, I share insights from directors, acting coaches, and casting professionals who challenge typecasting, offering alternative approaches that embrace nuance, skill, and the three-dimensional humanity of actors.

Marci Duncans (she/her) Audition Coordinator

Tiffany Gilly-Forrer (she/her)

NEWS

The Limits of Typecasting

Tiza Garland (she/they), a Movement Coach, Fight Director, and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida, addresses the complexity of typecasting. Reflecting on their own experiences, Garland explains: "I have been cast as multiple ethnicities, none of which actually reflect my actual race and ethnicity. I could ' pass ' for certain ethnicities that satisfied those who were casting or producing of course, 'passing' is another topic that deserves attention in terms of casting. I was dubbed 'non-descript ethnic' or 'ambiguous,' as well as 'exotic.'"

Garland highlights the fundamental flaw in equating external characteristics with human qualities "Human types (kind, maternal, selfish, lonely, ambitious) are not the same as socially constructed types (popular, nerd, sexy, etc) Moms don't have a certain look, nor does intelligence; a proud character has a presence, not an external characteristic People of all races and genders are rich, poor, kind, jerks, generous, suspicious, caring, evil, etc Cast by skill and ability It's that simple "

The perpetuation of harmful stereotypes in casting—such as who can play the “girl next door” or the “hopeful romantic young tenor” creates a cycle where actors feel boxed into roles determined by external biases rather than their talent. Garland argues that audiences and industry professionals must ask themselves: "What myth am I upholding by casting in this way? What harm am I perpetuating when I cast in this manner?"

Casting as a Political Practice

Rio Alberto (he/they), the National New Play Network Producer in Residence at Perseverance Theatre, offers a deeply personal account of how casting based on "type" can undermine both actors and the integrity of storytelling: "When it comes to casting in the year 2024, relying heavily on 'type' is to rely on the laziest of metrics physical appearance in that moment, and a projection of the kinds of stories that this body is capable of telling based on the limits of a casting team's own potentially limited lived experiences."

Alberto recalls being told as a teenager that his "dark features" would confine him to roles like a criminal, laborer, or villain. Years later, he experienced tokenism when a university's casting team chose him because he provided the "perfect diversity element " "This short exchange not only shocked me and undermined my talent and abilities, but eliminated any sense of trust I may have had in this University's ability to nurture the talent of the students who would soon inherit the field "

NEWS

Alberto emphasizes that directors must interrogate power dynamics both on the page and in the bodies on stage and remain aware of the messages conveyed through their choices: "If your director can only envision thin, white bodies as being worthy of heroism or romance, is that director developed enough in their skills to be trusted with producing work on your stage?" Theatre institutions, Alberto argues, must address the systemic barriers that prevent diverse representation, starting with play selection, team building, and the cultivation of directors with cultural competency.

Rejecting Stereotypes in Favor of Depth

For award-winning playwright and filmmaker Skylar Lyralen Kaye (fae/they), typecasting reduces actors to stereotypes instead of showcasing their individuality and depth. Kaye recounts years of being cast as a “strong woman with a secret,” despite their queerness and nonbinary identity. Kaye's experiences in devised theatre where work is built collaboratively with actors highlight an alternative approach to traditional casting: "You write for the actors you cast, interviewing them and getting to know them so you can write individualized and idiosyncratic real people rather than type "

Kaye calls for a bold rejection of typecasting norms: "Directors should reject the idea of type altogether and cast actors who bring depth and individuality to the role If this requires changing gender or ethnicity, all the better if it represents the underrepresented " Kaye also underscores the connection between capitalism and casting bias: "Casting is run by capitalism Tropes are mistakenly invested with belief The audience is accustomed to x, so we'll give them x, and if we don't, we won't make as much money... People get risk-averse artistically. It's an endless cycle."

Talent Over Tropes

Independent filmmaker Scott Eggleston (he/him), known for his work on YouTube as "The Frugal Filmmaker," offers a practical perspective on typecasting's role in the film industry: "I understand 'typecasting' to be the practice of casting an actor solely based on their looks... Yes, I have leaned toward casting attractive actors in any role, due to their marketability as such." While Eggleston acknowledges that actors of a particular “look” are sometimes prioritized, he emphasizes that talent remains the decisive factor for him: "They have to be able to act. If their performance doesn't change after I give them direction, I'm more likely not to cast them as I will just be painting myself into a corner, later."

Typecasting may be hard to avoid in one-dimensional roles such as co-star roles with a line or two on a tvshow, but more nuanced storytelling demands actors who can collaborate and bring depth to their characters,