The casting industry is evolving, with a growing emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. This article explores the landscape of African casting agencies in Paris and highlights initiatives aimed at creating a more equitable and just arts community.
The Telsey Office and Commitment to Inclusive Casting
The Telsey Office, a prominent casting agency, is committed to increasing access to audition opportunities for historically underrepresented actors by expanding how they seek talent. They understand that this commitment is a living document that will evolve and change as they move forward.
The above articulates their intentions and identifies specific ways in which The Telsey Office believes it can make lasting change. To achieve this goal, they have launched initiatives such as The Miranda Family Fellowship program.
The Miranda Family Fellowship Program
The Miranda Family Fellowship program supports over 100 emerging artists and arts administrators from underrepresented communities through partnerships with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Rhode Island College, Posse Foundation, Vineyard Theatre, Skidmore College, and The Telsey Office. The fellowship is a two-year, full-time, salaried position, financially supported by both The Telsey Office and the Miranda Family Fund, created in an effort to continue to open barriers that have existed in the casting industry, especially for BIPOC and marginalized communities.
These fellowships are structured as two-year, salaried positions with benefits, starting in January/February 2024 and reporting to a New York-based office.
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In addition to the training The Telsey Office will provide, the casting fellows will join the larger network of Miranda Family Fellows to receive ongoing professional development, peer networking, mentorship, and coaching with industry leaders. This training will allow the fellows to identify and explore their specific areas of interest within casting while receiving valuable career guidance and tools for navigating predominantly white institutions.
The fellows will be fully immersed in projects, and experiences will include interaction with creative teams, talent agencies, inclusion in project correspondence, creating audition schedules, preparing audition materials, and being a participant in the casting room.
Luis A. Miranda Jr. noted that “The overwhelming number of applicants for this fellowship initially was only outmatched by the extraordinary talent discovered and nurtured during our first cohort of The Telsey Office Miranda Family Casting Fellowship."
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Table: Key Aspects of The Miranda Family Fellowship
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | Two-year |
| Type | Full-time, salaried position with benefits |
| Funding | The Telsey Office and the Miranda Family Fund |
| Focus | Opening barriers for BIPOC and marginalized communities in the casting industry |
| Training | Professional development, peer networking, mentorship, and coaching with industry leaders |
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