Jesse James Keitel and Candido Cornejo Jr, actor/writer and casting director respectively, speak to advocacy, intentional casting, and their trans-identity & experiences navigating the casting process and on set in a climate that’s healthy, safe and creative both as artists and for artists.

Read more about Jesse and Candido here.

Takeaways

• Intentional casting is crucial for authentic representation.
• Trans creatives face unique challenges in Hollywood.
• Advocacy can be a natural byproduct of being oneself.
• Breaking stereotypes is essential for diverse storytelling.
• The industry often reduces trans identities to tokenism.
• Education on trans issues is still necessary in the industry.
• Personal experiences shape professional journeys in the arts.
• Representation must go beyond visibility to include authenticity.
• Trans stories should be told by trans individuals.
• Navigating identity in the workplace requires courage and clarity. We need time, we need money, we need resources.
• There is a space for you that you can be an actor.
• Intentional casting can ease emotional burdens.
• Being a trans woman has been the biggest gift to my career.
• We need to start questioning what is your intention with this?
• We need more training and development opportunities.
• It's important to remember what makes us happy.
• Acting is so fun, but I absolutely hate Hollywood.
• The duality of being different can be both a gift and a burden.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Trans Creatives in Hollywood

02:06 - Intentional Casting and Authentic Representation

06:14 - Navigating Identity and Career Challenges

10:04 - The Role of Advocacy in the Arts

14:04 - Breaking Stereotypes in Casting

17:54 - Educating the Industry on Trans Representation

21:48 - Personal Experiences and Professional Challenges

28:12 - The Challenge of Finding Talent

31:03 - Encouraging Diversity in Acting

34:35 - The Burden of Representation

37:54 - Intentional Casting and Its Importance

40:35 - Dreams and Aspirations in the Industry

45:46 - The Duality of Being Different

50:00 - Finding Joy in the Journey

Connect with Candido on Instagram

Connect with Jesse on Instagram

Connect with Caroline on Instagram

Connect with Grant on Instagram

Connect with In The Podlight on the Website

The Team:

Caroline Liem – Producer & Host

Grant Kretchick – Producer & Host

Cris Graves - Producer & Editor

David Margolin Lawson - Composer

Emily Yaneth Perez – Administration

In the Podlight is produced in collaboration with Pace University – Sands

• The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed by the guests, hosts, and producers of this podcasts do not necessarily reflect those of Pace University.

Casting Executive and Producer Kim Williams strives to elevate the industry, making a significant impact both on-screen and behind the scenes. Kim discusses how her degree in sociology informs her career, particularly in understanding the dynamics of human behavior, collaboration, and social networks. She emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community and shares her passion for mentoring the next generation of artists.

Read more about Kim here.

Takeaways

• Kim Williams emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling.
• She believes in saying yes to opportunities to build a career.
• Navigating personalities in collaboration is crucial for success.
• Understanding one's identity helps in making informed decisions.
• Casting is about bringing characters to life, not just matching actors to roles.
• Diversity and representation are central to her casting philosophy.
• Kim advocates for authenticity in casting decisions.
• She finds talent in various aspects of her life, not just auditions.
• The casting director's role is vital in shaping narratives.
• Mentorship and legacy are important to her as she guides others.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Kim Williams and Her Journey

03:06 - The Role of a Casting Director

05:51 - Navigating Opportunities and Scarcity Mindset

09:00 - Instincts in Project Selection

11:51 - Collaboration and Navigating Personalities

15:06 - The Impact of Storytelling on Audiences

17:53 - Authenticity and Representation in Casting

21:06 - Finding Talent and the 'It' Factor

23:53 - The Importance of Casting in Film

27:08 - Mentorship and Legacy in the Industry

30:03 - Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

32:48 - Future Goals and Aspirations

36:03 - Lightning Round and Personal Insights

Connect with Kim on Instagram

Connect with Caroline on Instagram

Connect with Grant on Instagram

Connect with In The Podlight on the Website

The Team:

Caroline Liem – Producer & Host

Grant Kretchick – Producer & Host

Cris Graves - Producer & Editor

David Margolin Lawson - Composer

Emily Yaneth Perez – Administration

In the Podlight is produced in collaboration with Pace University – Sands

• The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed by the guests, hosts, and producers of this podcasts do not necessarily reflect those of Pace University.

Sammi Cannold and Liam Pearce, director and actor respectively, from Broadway's award winning How To Dance in Ohio discuss the impact of the show in de-stigmatizing neurodiversity, accessibility and accommodations on our sets, stages, and community, how the casting process and production embodied equal parts art and activism, and the meaning of the key motto in the disability and autistic communities “nothing about us without us.”

Read more about Sammi and Liam here.

Takeaways

• The importance of authentic representation in theater.
• Creating a role as an autistic actor is groundbreaking.
• The journey of How to Dance in Ohio is deeply personal.
• Inclusivity in casting leads to a richer creative process.
• The show aims to change perceptions of autism in society.
• Accessibility for audiences is crucial for engagement.
• The collaborative nature of the production was unique.
• Neurodiversity should be embraced in all creative spaces.
• The mission of the show is to foster understanding.
• Future productions should continue the conversation about autism.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to In the Podlight

01:00 - The Journey of How to Dance in Ohio

06:05 - Casting and Production Process

09:50 - Identity and Representation in Theater

15:08 - Creating an Inclusive Environment

19:54 - Audience Accessibility and Engagement

24:51 - Future Aspirations and Impact of the Show

30:07 - Personal Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Connect with Sammi on Instagram

Connect with Liam on Instagram

Check out How To Dance in Ohio on their website

Check out &Juliet on their website

Connect with Caroline on Instagram

Connect with Grant on Instagram

Connect with In The Podlight on the Website

The Team:

Caroline Liem – Producer & Host

Grant Kretchick – Producer & Host

Cris Graves - Producer & Editor

David Margolin Lawson - Composer

Emily Yaneth Perez – Administration

In the Podlight is produced in collaboration with Pace University – Sands

• The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed by the guests, hosts, and producers of this podcasts do not necessarily reflect those of Pace University.