Your reports Find reports The Aesthetics of Casting The Aesthetics of Casting Convener(s): Claire Participants: Gillian Russell, Matt Trueman, Laura, others briefly Summary of discussion, conclusions and/or recommendations: Pick plays knowing the actors you have (repertory-style) “Aesthetics” more related to TV? Actors’ experience = No. Slightly less bias in theatre but still very present. Headshots = Best to have a variety Word of mouth as a better/more reliable way of casting – opinions of colleagues you trust. All-male Coriolanus, all-female Julius Caesar provoked lively responses – why? Casting against ‘type’ as an experiment; Appearance is transformative in theatre, but is a wig always a wig, and can the audience always be expected to suspend disbelief? Radio – aesthetics of voice. No escape from what you have, so use it and make it work for you. Is there a case for talent vs aesthetics? Timidity of Casting Directors means pool of regularly-used actors is getting smaller, similarly the work is more scarce. Isn’t always a bad thing to cast solely on looks – works for recorded media, helpful to Casting Directors.