29-01-2025
Theatre Baton Rouge volunteers raise concern after controversial casting
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) —Theatre volunteers in Baton Rouge took to social media concerns over a specific casting call that regarded one particular race for the role.
Tadrian Taylor is a former volunteer for Theatre Baton Rouge. He said he saw the casting for 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', which had two characters specifically wanting Black actors to play servants.
Taylor said that although set in a certain time, it was concerning that these were the only roles for Black actors to audition for.
'From what I know about Cat on Hot Tin Roof, well, I don't know that in 2025 race is an important part of the story, that we need the servants to be black,' he said.
After reaching out to the theatre for a response, they released a statement saying, in part, that they take full accountability for the pain caused by the casting announcement. And are working to address the issue with transparency and immediately take the next steps.
Taylor said after this incident, hopefully, the theatre community can come together to have a deeper conversation on inclusion.
'Wondering if maybe we could have a conversation about the different ways in which those issues are like entrenched to build a community theater that is representative of the community,' said Taylor.
The theatre is working to address the matter with board members on how to avoid a similar situation happening again. Theatre Baton Rouge has since removed 'race' as a description in the casting call.
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