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Abstract

This article reflects on the difficulties of recruiting minority students into university theatre programs, using experiences at an urban southern institution as a case study. Despite significant minority enrollment at the university and outreach through performance groups, theatre struggled to attract Black majors. The discussion suggests strategies such as integrated casting, hiring more Black faculty, building ties with community organizations, and offering targeted scholarships. Broader systemic barriers, including inequities in primary and secondary education and persistent economic disparities, are identified as major obstacles limiting interest in theatre among minority students. The article argues that lasting change will require long-term societal commitment to improving educational opportunities and achieving economic parity, while institutions must also take proactive steps to make theatre more inclusive and visible to diverse student populations.

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