On Casting
From Sir Ian McKellen's Excellent Acting Advise Quite a few people are aware I have somewhat... complicated feelings on theater. Even more so the perception that games that involve "roleplaying" tend to be a refuge or share some vestigial similarities to the 'theater kid crowd'. While I think both art forms take queues from that most sacred and humble of ancient practices (oral storytelling), I think the separate art form of the Actual Play has somewhat muddied the water for how theater may relate (or more aptly not relate) to the simpler act of play itself. All this is to say I'm about to contradict myself and relate tabletop games to theater, so bear with me. As someone who has acted, directed and produced, I've found there is no moment quite as pivotal for the lifeblood of a production as casting. Auditions are an important factor in this, but what play is even chosen to begin with can rely heavily on the expertise and strengths of a troupe. Now if you ...
