This article originally appeared in 'Long Island
Business News'.
Producers of the Broadway hit "Hamilton" came under
fire recently for advertising for "nonwhite" performers.
The hip-hop musical about America's founding fathers features
Latino and African- American performers in most of the prominent
roles.
While it's common practice to state the race, gender and age
range of the character that the actor will play, in most cases
employers cannot hire people based on their race, gender, age or
any other protected characteristic.
In response to widespread criticism, including from the
Actors' Equity Association, which said auditions should be open
to everyone, producers changed the wording of their casting call,
making it clear that people of all ethnicities were welcome to
audition. But they also stated, "It is essential to the
storytelling of 'Hamilton' that the principal roles, which
were written for nonwhite characters (excepting King George), be
performed by
