CULTURE

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. The section of our anti-racism action plan that relates to casting can be found here.

We do not discriminate based on;

• race • nationality • ethnic background • citizen or immigration status

• sex • sexual orientation • gender(s) •gender expression

• age • religion • language

• deaf • disability • neurodiversity • chronic conditions • mental health

• socio-economic status • educational/training background • class

• pregnancy or maternity/paternity • marriage or civil partnership

• hair texture or style • skin tone

• cultural markings and/or tattoos due to religious rituals from pre-colonial cultural practice

As language, terms, and expressions inevitably evolve the National Theatre of Scotland is committed to reviewing this statement of language in collaboration with our respective communities. No actors will be excluded on the basis of whether they are drama school trained or not. We cast without prejudice to the background of performers, or the path they have followed into the industry.

Where we are casting for a role that is culturally specific, we are committed to casting a performer from that culture and/or 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 guarantee that for 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 3 new graduates (from different colleges) each year.

As a company we continue our commitment towards an ongoing conversation with artists about how to create an equitable space for all through our casting processes. We believe in honouring best practice including the removal of barriers in audition rooms, rehearsal spaces and casting processes to support participation. We welcome feedback on our casting practices and this policy will continue to be reviewed with our respected communities.

All performers who are offered paid work at the Company are asked to complete an anonymous diversity monitoring form at the start of the engagement to help us monitor our progress and a qualitative feedback form at the end of the engagement to find out about their experience working with us.

AUDITIONS

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

Since Autumn 2022 we have had a new casting model at the National Theatre of Scotland with freelance Casting Directors being brought on board 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 work with the lead director on shows and our Artistic Director with input from the wider artistic team at National Theatre of Scotland. 

Casting of National Theatre of Scotland projects in development is managed in-house by our Casting Coordinator. In some cases, casting in a development may progress to casting for the same role in a main production.

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 casting page of the National Theatre of Scotland 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 will ensure that we do at least 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 skills workshops a year at Rockvilla, our company base, for performers based in Scotland. These will be free of charge and actors will be invited to apply for places which 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 Artistic Director, Associate Artists and other key National Theatre Scotland staff regularly attend shows throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK, and internationally where possible, in order 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. To let us know about a show you will be performing in, please use the contact details below.

CONTACT

The preferred method of contact is via email to casting@nationaltheatrescotland.com

If you would like to receive news about casting at the National Theatre of Scotland please sign up to our casting mailing list

When writing you should include your Spotlight link (if you are on Spotlight), and if not, a headshot and CV under 1MB in size.