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Abstract

This article explores strategies for increasing minority participation in theatre performance training at predominantly white colleges and universities. Drawing on Stanislavski’s concept of the “circle of attention,” it argues that recruitment, retention, and casting must be approached holistically to foster diversity and inclusion. The discussion emphasizes that opportunities for minority students must extend beyond admission to meaningful casting and curricular integration, supported by institutional commitment. Broader issues such as the decline of Black Studies programs, the shortage of minority faculty, and campus racial tensions are linked to the challenge of achieving pluralism in educational theatre. Non-traditional casting, community collaboration, and partnerships with minority-serving institutions are presented as practical methods for widening participation. The article concludes that theatre programs have both the responsibility and opportunity to model pluralism and prepare students for a more inclusive society.

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