Non Traditional Casting

The race of the characters of August Wilson’s “Fences” has a significant impact on the show. Initially, adhering to the playwright’s intent appears to be the best and only choice and not respecting those boundaries could ruin the themes of the play itself. The script focus on the struggles of African Americans and how they cope with their struggles. Therefore, non traditional casting is unacceptable. However, casting the production with another minority race, besides African American, could still capture the essence of the play. Casting an all Latino, an all East Asian or an all Middle Eastern would allow the audience to see different perspective. African Americans weren’t the only race that had to deal with racism and discrimination within that time period. All minority races have experienced what it’s like to approach life with expectations that they will be treated equally only to have those dreams shattered by the cultural restrictions.
Another aspect considered for non traditional casting is casting Troy’s other children, Lyons and Raynell as biracial. It would emphasis the lack of blood relation to Rose but also strengthen the emotional and spiritual connection between her, Lyons and Raynell. It would emphasis Rose’s love and acceptance of them despite them not being her own but treating them as her own. This type of casting would send a message out to the audience that love transcends race and that there is hope. In contrast, the message and themes of the play would be lost if the play had an all white cast. An example is the constant use of the word “nigger”. Even though it is used unsparingly in the play, the thought of white actors saying that word would take the audience of the play because of how sensitive our culture is to racism these days. There would have to be serious alterations of the script which results in the script losing it’s meaning. The intent and message would be lost. The audience wouldn’t be as accepting and could possible come across as mocking and offensive. Fences is a play about race and specifically about blacks and how their treatment out in the white American world affects them mentally, spiritually, emotionally and domestically. Casting non race specific would ruin the message the play is trying to send out.
Making the cast all male, all female or mixed gender (swaping genders of certain characters) is another way to give other actors opportunities and challenges portraying these characters despite their gender. However, if the cast can play the characters well enough then it wouldn’t be a serious issues. Casting characters with physical disabilities wouldn’t take away from the play. One question will the audience be able to see pass the physical disabilities and depending on the disability will the blocking be changed. What choices will the director make that will overcome the obstacles that an actor with a physical disability would experience. There are many things to consider when doing non traditional casting. However, not all these things could be met and a director could do the best they can.