Vision:  CAST envisions having all individuals in our community value theatrical arts as an essential part of its cultural life. 

Mission:  CAST’s mission is to offer all citizens in our community the opportunity to be entertained, educated, and engaged in the theatrical arts.

• To meet the mission goal “offering all citizens the opportunity to be entertained”, CAST produces a series of shows at various venues.  Current practice is to produce a series of four to five “main stage” shows and two CAST Kidz shows per season.  All productions typically run for one weekend with Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances and a matinee on Sunday. To ensure all citizens have access to these shows regardless of their financial circumstances, each mainstage Thursday night performance is billed as Pay What You Want Night, enabling individuals to enjoy a performance for an admission price range from $0 to unlimited. CAST Kidz offer two major productions each season with daytime shows (2) on Fridays for children from area schools and public performances on Saturday and Sunday on show weekends. Friday performances cost $5 per child with public performance tickets at $10 each. CAST seeks donations from area businesses to provide comp tickets to the school shows for children from the poorest households as determined by the Anniston Parks and Recreation Board.
• The mission goal of educating individuals in the theatrical arts is met as productions are rehearsed and performed. Actors are instructed in oration, stage presence, musical interpretation, choreography, make-up, and other skills used on stage.  Stage management personnel are taught prop management, actor management, prop design, costume management and a myriad of additional skills needed behind the scenes of a production. Individuals working sound and light boards learn techniques of following cues and operating various pieces of equipment.
• The mission goal of educating is also met through our instructional programs for children. Enrollment in CAST Kidz has grown exponentially creating a need to expand the curriculum, instructional staff, and create subgroups within the program.  This program is open to children from grades five through high school.  That population of children is currently divided into four groups based on a combination of age and ability.   Performance skills are taught from the most basic to advanced. While all participants are involved in the two CAST Kidz productions each season, many of the more advanced participants are often included in CAST’s main stage productions. The teens group has also begun entering competitions to broaden their experience.
• To meet the mission goal of offering all citizens the opportunity to be engaged in the theatrical arts, CAST holds open auditions for actors, singers, and dancers for each of its productions.  Audition announcements are sent out as email blasts, publicized on the CAST website, in the local newspaper and on Facebook. Opportunities are also advertised to work in stage management, set building, costuming, sound and light board operations and many other capacities.  Since CAST relies exclusively on volunteers, there is always a place for anyone interested in joining the company.  Citizens are also invited to participate on the board and/or on our many committees.
• Enrollment in the instructional program is also open to all children.  Scholarships are made available to partially defray registration and monthly instruction fees to families demonstrating need.

ESSENTIAL BELIEFS

 Approved October 2020

The following are the guiding beliefs of the organization:

Transparency: CAST believes that transparency is essential. This is particularly true in terms of finances since CAST depends on support from individuals, businesses, and foundations in the area for its existence. Therefore, CAST includes financial reports on its website and in its annual report; its tax returns are reported on GOLD Star; and an audit review is conducted annually.

CAST also produces a Policies and Procedures Manual that is widely distributed to CAST participants. It contains several policies dealing with financial issues such as conflict of interest or mismanagement of financial resources. It also outlines procedures used for handling financial resources. The manual also reveals how CAST deals with key issues such as diversity, safety, and communications.

Respect: CAST believes that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect; how is this demonstrated? For production teams respect is demonstrated by being on time, knowing your lines, performing your assignments, following instructions, leaving other’s props alone, etc. CAST demonstrates respect for its audiences by choosing productions that respect community norms as well as its diversity. Respect for the organization is demonstrated by following established policies realizing they exist for the good of the organization.

 Inclusion: Inclusion is the core element of CAST’s mission to give everyone in the community opportunity to be entertained, engaged and education in theatrical arts. CAST seeks to ensure that all auditions, casting, performances, and instructional programs are open to all members of the community. CAST also asserts that all people regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, or social status are welcome to participate in  CAST activities.

Standards: CAST is committed to strive to meet high organizational performance standards. In 2016, CAST was recognized by the Standards for Excellence Institute. Standards for Excellence Certification is a program that consists of an ethics and accountability code for the nonprofit sector. Cast’s achievement of this certification demonstrates its continuing desire to conform to high national standards.

CAST Diversity and Inclusion Policy

 Approved October 2020

Community Actors’ Studio Theatre will consciously be a community organization that is inclusive and promoted to all members of the community regardless of race, age, gender identity and expression, sexuality, physical appearance and ability, religion, and/or socioeconomic status.

The Season and Productions

 The play selection committee will make considerations of productions that lend their materials to roles that can be performed by a variety of actors of various ethnicities and

• When possible and appropriate, the season should include a production that highlights a minority group and/or
• The directors and production staff members will make clear in public audition notices if, when, and what roles are open to appropriate actors of any race, gender, and/or background.

Casting and Volunteers

• Roles should be given to actors based on merit and ability to play the part.
• All volunteers should be able to transport and sustain themselves throughout a production, however extra concessions should be made in cases such as but not limited to actors who cannot afford extra make-up, wigs, or costume fees.
• CAST will anticipate and speak sensitively to the fact that certain ethnic groups have modern hairstyles that are not of certain periods commonly portrayed in a theatre production.
• CAST cannot demand an actor to alter their hair to a degree that will far outlast the run of a production.
• Dramatic lightening or darkening of the skin is not allowed.