Whites need not apply for ‘Hamilton’ open audition
Open auditions are being held for the hottest show on Broadway — but whites need not apply.
Already the hottest ticket in town, rap-based musical “Hamilton” put out a casting call, seeking “NON-WHITE men and women” to audition for its Broadway run and touring companies.
Producers are also looking for actors “ages 20s to 30s” who can sing and rap — but “no prior theater experience necessary,” the ad says.
The seemingly prejudicial race and age poster flies in the face of the culturally diverse cast that has helped “Hamilton” surge to success and garner stellar reviews.
The modern musical chronicles America’s founding fathers like Aaron Burr and George Washington — played by actors who are black and Latino. The show’s writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is Puerto Rican, plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton.
In a statement, “Hamilton” said its producers “regret the confusion that’s arisen from the recent posting” but defended the verbiage.
“It is essential to the storytelling of ‘Hamilton’ that the principal roles — which were written for non-white characters (excepting King George) — be performed by non-white actors,” the statement said.
“This adheres to the accepted practice that certain characteristics in certain roles constitute a ‘bona fide occupational qualification’ that is legal.”
It also noted other shows like “The Color Purple,” “Porgy & Bess” and “Matilda” that call for “race, ethnicity or age specific casting” — but agreed to tweak the ad.
“The casting will be amended to also include language we neglected to add, that is, we welcome people of all ethnicities to audition for ‘Hamilton,’” the statement added.
Asked about the casting call, the city Human Rights Commission reiterated that discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability and “other protected categories in employment advertisements” is prohibited.
“Before determining a violation of the law, the commission would need to investigate the alleged violation, gathering information and testimony from parties involved,” an HRC spokesman said.
The agency has not received complaints about the ad.
The casting calls will be held in San Francisco and Los Angeles in April and New York in May.
Miranda, who wrote and starred in 2008 Tony award winner “In the Heights,” was inspired to write “Hamilton” after reading Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography of the Founding Father.
Seats to the show at the Richard Rodgers Theater have been hard to come by — if not altogether sold out — following its Broadway debut last summer.
Open auditions are being held for the hottest show on Broadway — but whites need not apply.
Already the hottest ticket in town, rap-based musical “Hamilton” put out a casting call, seeking “NON-WHITE men and women” to audition for its Broadway run and touring companies.
Producers are also looking for actors “ages 20s to 30s” who can sing and rap — but “no prior theater experience necessary,” the ad says.
The seemingly prejudicial race and age poster flies in the face of the culturally diverse cast that has helped “Hamilton” surge to success and garner stellar reviews.
The modern musical chronicles America’s founding fathers like Aaron Burr and George Washington — played by actors who are black and Latino. The show’s writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is Puerto Rican, plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton.
In a statement, “Hamilton” said its producers “regret the confusion that’s arisen from the recent posting” but defended the verbiage.
“It is essential to the storytelling of ‘Hamilton’ that the principal roles — which were written for non-white characters (excepting King George) — be performed by non-white actors,” the statement said.
“This adheres to the accepted practice that certain characteristics in certain roles constitute a ‘bona fide occupational qualification’ that is legal.”
It also noted other shows like “The Color Purple,” “Porgy & Bess” and “Matilda” that call for “race, ethnicity or age specific casting” — but agreed to tweak the ad.
“The casting will be amended to also include language we neglected to add, that is, we welcome people of all ethnicities to audition for ‘Hamilton,’” the statement added.
Asked about the casting call, the city Human Rights Commission reiterated that discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability and “other protected categories in employment advertisements” is prohibited.
“Before determining a violation of the law, the commission would need to investigate the alleged violation, gathering information and testimony from parties involved,” an HRC spokesman said.
The agency has not received complaints about the ad.
The casting calls will be held in San Francisco and Los Angeles in April and New York in May.
Miranda, who wrote and starred in 2008 Tony award winner “In the Heights,” was inspired to write “Hamilton” after reading Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography of the Founding Father.
Seats to the show at the Richard Rodgers Theater have been hard to come by — if not altogether sold out — following its Broadway debut last summer.
