I've written about this before, but with a resurgence in the phrase "talent from New York and Boston" coming into the theater lexicon in Rhode Island, I feel I should reiterate.
Rhode Island has talent.
I'm currently putting together my fifth monologue show using all local performers. At this point, I've used over sixty people from the Rhode Island area who were all talented, dedicated, and hard-working.
I'm not against using people from outside the state, but I am against making it sound like coming from Boston or New York automatically makes you more talented especially if the person didn't actually WORK in Boston or New York, but just lived there for a little while then came back to bask in their foreign glory.
Right now the problem is that it's very hard to get theater work in Rhode Island, and getting work outside Rhode Island is even harder because places like Boston tend to like to hire people from Boston. So it's a lose-lose for Rhode Island performers.
I think more theaters need to take this under consideration. I understand that ultimately the person who gets the job needs to be the best for it, but I think some people behind the casting table are often persuaded by the idea that because someone's from out-of-state they're in some way more credible.
If you want proof that there's a wealth of talent right here in Rhode Island, just come check out "Family Money" at 2nd Story Theatre in Warren, RI on Sunday, March 14th at 7pm.
I believe in local talent, and I believe in putting my cast list where my mouth is.
Rhode Island has talent.
I'm currently putting together my fifth monologue show using all local performers. At this point, I've used over sixty people from the Rhode Island area who were all talented, dedicated, and hard-working.
I'm not against using people from outside the state, but I am against making it sound like coming from Boston or New York automatically makes you more talented especially if the person didn't actually WORK in Boston or New York, but just lived there for a little while then came back to bask in their foreign glory.
Right now the problem is that it's very hard to get theater work in Rhode Island, and getting work outside Rhode Island is even harder because places like Boston tend to like to hire people from Boston. So it's a lose-lose for Rhode Island performers.
I think more theaters need to take this under consideration. I understand that ultimately the person who gets the job needs to be the best for it, but I think some people behind the casting table are often persuaded by the idea that because someone's from out-of-state they're in some way more credible.
If you want proof that there's a wealth of talent right here in Rhode Island, just come check out "Family Money" at 2nd Story Theatre in Warren, RI on Sunday, March 14th at 7pm.
I believe in local talent, and I believe in putting my cast list where my mouth is.
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