The Ghostlight Stage Company Presents: Casting Beyond the Binary
This workshop will be led by Shira Helena Gitlin, and tackle inclusion of trans and nonbinary performers in theatre. We will discuss best practices for casting, socially conscious practices in regards to underrepresented queer identities, and more.
About the speaker: Shira Helena Gitlin (they/them) is a trans nonbinary director, gender consultant, intimacy director, and musical theatre enthusiast. As a leader, facilitator, and artist, Shira centers their work around three ‘A’s: agency, accessibility, and authenticity. They have held Trans Inclusion workshops for Dramatists Guild, National Women’s Theatre Festival, Directors Lab North, and various theatres and institutions across the United States. They are also a member of the Gender Explosion Initiative. They have directed for New Repertory Theatre, Moonbox Productions, National Women's Theatre Festival, and more. Shira is a graduate of the Arden Professional Apprentice Class 26, was an Artistic Fellow at SpeakEasy Stage Company, and is an alumni of Directors Lab North in Toronto, Canada. They have a BA from Hampshire College in directing with an emphasis on musical theatre studies. For more information, please visit shirahelenagitlin.com.
During this workshop we will cover:
- how to write inclusive casting calls and character descriptions
- how to read a play with a focus on gender identity
- how to cast roles authentically
- how to identify red flags and harmful tropes
- best practices for the creation of gender inclusive theatre
- how to protect and uplift trans artists in your community
More about the workshop:
How do we uplift trans stories and cast authentically? Transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming people have always been essential to the creation of theatre, but representation has only taken off in the last ten years. Many theatres are interested in telling stories that feature trans narratives, but find themselves unsure how to proceed with casting roles or actors that fall outside the binary. In this workshop, you will gain tools to help you figure out who you are looking for, where to find them, and how to make them feel comfortable during the casting and rehearsal process.
The 2025 Shining a Light Workshop and Lecture Series is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. This series is specifically funded by the 2025 Young Professionals Grant.
