Hi.
I directed The Addams Family over the summer and our Wednesday was African American, our Pugsley was a LatinX non-binary actor, our Lucas was Brazilian, our Gomez was from the Philippines, and Alice was African American.
I feel like the show encourages us all to be pulled out of our comfort zones, and it celebrates what unites us rather than focusing on what divides us. "Love triumphs" and two very different families become one big family.
Hopefully, this young man will choose to be part of this story that celebrates inclusion, but if he doesn't, I'm sure there are many students who would love to play the role.
I hope this helps.
Erik
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Erik Stein
Casting Director/Recruitment Coordinator
PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre
Author of No Caution! A step-by-step guide to preparing auditions for Universities, Colleges, Conservatories, and Beyond!
Available on Amazon.com and other online booksellers
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-22-2019 14:04
From: Marcie Berglund
Subject: Casting
I am doing The Addams Family for our fall musical. I cast the tallest boy with the lowest voice and great comic timing as Lurch. He is also black. He finds the casting of Lurch inappropriate. I have a meeting tomorrow with the Principal, the young man and our Activities Director. I admit I'm at a loss for words. I have been sensitive in the past with this young man asking if he was comfortable playing one of the butlers in The Importance of Being Ernest. He was not interested in the role. I was unable to use him. So now I've offered him Lurch which I felt was okay as this is not reality and we really don't know what Lurch is? Thoughts?