Casting Policy and Processes

National Theatre of Scotland seeks to employ the very best available talent for every role. We have a responsibility to consider and cast where possible (and appropriate) Scottish performers and those based in Scotland, supporting Equity’s #CastItHere campaign.

At the National Theatre of Scotland, we aim to provide an anti-oppressive environment for people from all backgrounds.

We cast without prejudice to the background of performers, or the path they have followed into the industry. No actors will be excluded on the basis of whether they are drama school trained or not.

Where we are casting for a role that is culturally specific, we are committed to casting a performer from that culture and/or with lived experience. However, we consider artists from diverse backgrounds for every role, not just those written with specific personal characteristics in mind. We are committed to representing the true diversity of our society in our casts and to the inclusion of people from historically and currently excluded groups and communities.

We offer two roles a year in our productions to new graduates. We also aim that within any new project in development, where we have a cast of more than three, at least one opportunity will be given to a performer we have never worked with before, including giving work to three new graduates (from different colleges) each year.

Auditions

We have an in-house Casting Associate who will manage our casting processes, including open calls and workshops, cast our projects in development and be the main point of contact within the National Theatre of Scotland for freelance Casting Directors and actors.

We work with freelance Casting Directors for each production, allowing us to work with a wider range of people, perspectives and networks depending on the needs of the individual show. Casting Directors will cast a production in collaboration with a show’s director, and our Artistic Director, with input from the wider artistic team at National Theatre of Scotland.

The casting requirements of available roles on all productions are advertised on Spotlight. Breakdowns are sent to all UK agents and on occasion are distributed internationally. In the event that we are looking for more specialised or specific performers, breakdowns will be advertised on the Spotlight link board and other relevant channels including the opportunities page of our website.

We guarantee that every actor who auditions for a role with the National Theatre of Scotland will receive a response from the Company.

Introductory Meetings And Workshops

We aim to do one open callout a year for graduates and actors whom we have not previously worked with. These could be in person or via submission of self-tapes and we commit to providing feedback to everyone that we see through this process. These will be advertised on our website, through social media, via agents and via our Casting email list.

We will hold at least one free skills workshop a year at Rockvilla, our company base, for performers based in Scotland. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis with priority given to ensuring the diversity of the Scottish acting community is fully represented and offering places for people whom we have not previously worked with/ do not have an existing relationship with. These will be designed to promote a positive and proactive approach towards a career in the performing arts. The content will introduce new skills and enhance and improve those already attained. Workshops will also be advertised on our website, through social media and via agents, and via our Casting email list.

Attendance At Shows

The Casting Associate, Artistic Director and other key National Theatre Scotland staff regularly attend shows throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK to see and meet performers and have an in-depth, current working knowledge of the industry. They are happy to try to attend festivals, drama school/college showcases as well as productions.

Please invite us to any upcoming performances as early as possible, via our enquiry hub. When contacting us you should include your Spotlight link (if you are on Spotlight), and if not, a headshot and CV under 1MB in size.

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