Casting Individuals with Disabilities

Casting Individuals with Disabilities

It is becoming more widely acknowledged and accepted within the theater community and society at large that having diverse casts, communities, workforces, etc., brings undeniable benefits and strengths to any group or organization.  Evidence suggests that diversity fosters creativity and innovation by bringing together different perspectives and experiences, leading to better problem-solving, improved decision-making, and increased adaptability within teams and organizations. Research also shows that companies with greater diversity tend to outperform their less diverse peers. In casting specifically, diversity leads to more authentic, dynamic, and engaging narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

In conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion – even in rooms and spaces where it is being advocated for – disability is often a forgotten intersection of identity. In the rare instances when diversity is advocated for, well-meaning casting and hiring actions can be perceived as tokenizing or infantilizing.  The narrative around disability and casting must change from “a favor” or a “box to be checked” to genuinely recognizing the strengths and unique perspectives these individuals bring to any story, production, or community.

“Currently, disability representation in performing arts is minimal. One in four American adults has a disability of some kind, making them the largest minority in the country, yet they are also the least represented in the performing arts field: Ninety-five percent of disabled characters are played by able-bodied actors. A vast number of actors and actresses have won an Oscar for portraying a character with a disability, but only two actors with the same disabilities as their characters have been awarded.” – Harvard Political Review

Individuals who identify as having a disability have unique lived experiences, perspectives, and strengths that can enhance the work we do onstage.  For example, we can ask ourselves, “In what way is this character’s story so much more interesting when our actor uses a wheelchair?”  Rather than, “How can we fit this person into the show?”  We can consider how someone with neurodivergence may bring a new take on a character that makes their dialogue even more compelling.  Disability should be considered an important perspective in the artwork, but it is simultaneously crucial that we recognize that individuals living with differences have more to offer than their disability.

Teal Sherer, an actress and wheelchair user, discussed in an interview that disabled people should be considered for roles other than those that are disability-specific: “Why can’t I play the mother, the lawyer or the teacher, because those are all things that I could be in real life? We’re often not seen for those roles because they feel like we’re gonna play a character to that character, and how that character has to revolve around their disability or has to be explained.” – Harvard Political Review It is important that disabled actors are not overlooked in the casting process of disabled characters and that disabled actors have the opportunity to explore various roles based on criteria other than solely whether the character was written with a disability in mind.

Including individuals with disabilities in casting, both for characters with disabilities and for roles beyond that specific identity, is a crucial step toward fostering a genuinely diverse and authentic representation in the performing arts by recognizing the unique perspectives and strengths that actors with disabilities bring to any production. We enrich storytelling and move beyond tokenization or stereotypes. 

Disability is not just an attribute, but a lens through which new narratives can emerge, and actors with disabilities should be empowered to take on a range of roles, reflecting the full spectrum of human experience. As we continue to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is essential that the conversation fully embraces disability, ensuring that those who identify as disabled are given the same opportunities to showcase their talents and contribute to the cultural landscape in ways that go far beyond the limitations of outdated, narrow narratives. The shift toward this inclusive approach will not only enhance our stories but also build a more equitable, representative, and innovative experience for all.