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................................................................. Diversity ACTRA Toronto Performers' Diversity initiative is designed to promote and realize the principles concerning the casting of visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples and Actors with disabilities. Mainstream Now Catalogue In June, 2005, ACTRA Toronto hosted a successful launch of the Diversity committee initiative Mainstream Now. This very popular casting tool was created for producers, casting directors and directors, and builds on the success of Into the Mainstream originally published by ACTRA National, spearheaded by Sandi Ross. In the summer of 2006, we completed our first update. More than 100 actors were added to the binder, bringing the total to more than 500. The current initiative includes changes to Face to Face online, ACTRA's online talent catalogue which would create an electronic version of Mainstream Now and expand it nationally through www.actra.ca. Photo gallery from launch event Industry professionals click here to order their free copy of Mainstream Now More information on Mainstream Now 2007 Initatives Our theme for the coming year is education. We take our cue from the highly successful Diversity committee at SAG, that has been instrumental in highlighting issues of Diversity in the U.S. With education in mind, we are currently developing what we call our “education package”. This package, highlighting what ACTRA Toronto does to support its membership, (including those with from diverse communities or those with disabilities) will be used as a tool for education. Our plan is to distribute the education packages at conferences and events with our presence. We will bring our brochures, our volunteers and our stories, to promote our membership. AccessAbility workshops. Last year we concluded a national survey to help us determine the percentage of casting facilities that were actually accessible to actors with disabilities. The dismal findings helped us to conclude what we already suspected. Casting facilities, training facilities and rehearsal/theatre facilities are by and large Inaccessible. ACTRA Toronto is committed to righting this wrong. As we continue to lobby for change in this area, we remain committed to our initial goal of supporting our membership who are disabled and therefore do not enjoy the benefits of the membership at large. We will open our Boardroom, in the late spring, to a series of audition technique workshops for actors with disabilities and those who use sign language as their first language. We are what we want others to become. Fully accessible. Aug. 15 - News Release - DVD launched to showcase performers with disabilities AccessAbility Demo Reel The History of Diversity at ACTRA It all began with: The New Standing Committee On Equal Opportunities came into formal existence in the summer of 1984 with the following members: Rita Shelton Deverell Linda Armstrong Peter Cochrane Malika Mendez Anthony Sherwood The New Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities developed resolutions that included: “That, in view of the significant absence of adequate visible minority representation in the Canadian media, and the Government’s reluctance to make an official policy after over two years of lengthy deliberation and discussion over the issue; Be it resolved that ACTRA endorses the adoption of Government legislation of an effective policy to be developed, in collaboration with ACTRA, that would obligate Government funded bodies and institutions to include visible minority and ethnic diversity representation in television, film and radio productions sponsored or co-produced by them in an realistic manner that would depict an accurate reflection of the content and participation of the multi-racial society of Canada”. Casting Call The Diversity Committee is currently seeking new members. Must have constructive ideas to bring to the table and be able to attend monthly meetings. If interested, please contact one of the following: Diversity Advocates: Diversity Co-Chair: Jani Lauzon - 416-928-2278, ext. 6618 e-mail: jlauzon@actratoronto.com Diversity Co-Chair: Sheila Boyd - 416-928-2278, ext. 6619 e-mail: sboyd@actratoronto.com VP of Membership Services, Diversity Portfolio: Eric Murphy - 416-928-2278, ext. 6606 e-mail: emurphy@council.actratoronto.com <<<BACK TO HOME PAGE