A Plea to Community Theatres to Stop Casting Pros Before Auditions

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Recently, someone brought a frustrating situation to my attention—and sadly, it’s not an unfamiliar one. A local community theatre advertised open auditions for their upcoming production, encouraging people from all over to try out. But what the announcement didn’t say? The lead had already been cast—a professional actor brought in quietly before anyone else even signed up.

And I get it. I really do. Talent matters. Community theatres want to put on the best show possible. They want to wow audiences, fill seats, maybe even earn a few glowing reviews. But if you're going to hold auditions—really hold them. Don’t go through the motions while the big decisions have already been made in private.

To be clear, I have nothing against professional actors. I’ve worked with many. There’s real value in experience, polish, and stage presence. But there’s also real value—immeasurable value—in the people who show up to every work call, who sell tickets and paint sets, who have been part of your theatre family for years. When you bypass those people to cast a “name” before auditions even happen, you’re not just elevating talent—you’re undercutting trust.

Community theatre, at its core, is about inclusion. It’s about building something together, from the ground up, with people who live down the street and work next door. It’s about giving folks the chance to grow, stretch, surprise themselves. It’s about opportunity, not just outcome.

And when the playing field isn’t level—when it never even had a chance to be—you send a message that some roles are simply off-limits to the community, no matter how talented or committed they are.

I’ve heard the reasoning. “We needed a ringer to sell tickets.” But let’s be honest: ticket sales in community theatre aren’t driven by prestige—they’re driven by relationships. People come because they know someone in the cast. Because their kid is in the ensemble. Because their co-worker is finally trying something new. That’s what makes it community theatre.

Now, if you’re planning a semi-professional production with paid actors and special guests, that’s your prerogative. Just be transparent. Be clear about what kind of production you’re mounting. Don’t dangle the illusion of equal opportunity when the lead has already been promised to someone with an Equity card and a weekend free.

Your next star might not be from New York or Chicago. They might be sitting in your ensemble, quietly waiting their turn. They might have been cast as “Man with Newspaper” three shows in a row, but still come to every rehearsal early and stay late to stack chairs.

Give them a chance. Let your community shine.

Because while talent is important, trust is irreplaceable—and once it’s gone, it’s incredibly hard to win back.