NEW YORK: The Telsey Office, in partnership with Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Miranda Family, has named the three inaugural fellows for the Telsey Office Miranda Casting Fellowship. The fellowship was announced in August 2021 to create professional development and training opportunities for historically underrepresented artists interested in building careers in casting.
The fellows include Domonique Aviles of Philadelphia, Steven Gutierrez of Los Angeles, and Miles Kight of Silver Spring, Md. They will join the Telsey team virtually this month and in person next month in New York.
“True representation is only possible when equitable opportunities are made available to those often left out of the equation,” Luis A. Miranda Jr. said in a statement. “My family and I are so thrilled to partner with Bernie and the Telsey Office to create the inaugural class of the Telsey Office Miranda Casting Fellowship to help further diversify the casting industry.”
“I was so excited to meet so many amazing applicants who want to go into casting who just haven’t had the opportunity,” Telsey Office founder Bernie Telsey said in a statement. “Domonique, Steven, and Miles are each standouts in their passion and drive to work in this industry.”
The fellows will work with casting directors, associates, and assistants over the course of two years and will be financially supported with full-time salaries and benefits funded by the Telsey Office and Viajes Miranda/5000 Broadway Productions. In addition to mentorship and training, the fellows will join the larger network of Miranda Family Fellows for ongoing professional development, peer networking, and coaching with industry leaders. The casting fellows will also attend additional seminars and workshops to further learn how to advocate for change in the casting industry.
The Miranda Family supports over 60 emerging artists and arts administrators of color through partnerships with theatre companies, educational institutions, the Posse Foundation, and the O’Neill Theater Center.
The Telsey Office is a casting office for theatre, film, television, and commercials based in New York and Los Angeles.
