And a black Lab playing Hanni would definitely be considered non-traditional casting.

You guys are too much. Miss yiz.

OK, enough. But it has been interesting to listen to and read reactions. At the movie forum Beth mentioned, there was a case made for casting a blind woman in the part. The implication was, though, that only a blind person could play that part. Because only blind people know what it’s like to be blind.

Which is true enough, technically. But of course, great acting, great literature, lots of great art is all about empathy. And of course, the point is often to put us in someone else’s shoes. And acting is all about that.

One problem is a dearth of blind actors (partly because of sheer numbers–there aren’t that many blind people to begin with). So even if the desire is to cast a role with a blind actor, it isn’t easy. One solution: Start writing plays and screenplays that naturally include people with blindness and other disabilities. And, start casting more blind (or otherwise disabled) actors in roles of all kinds. That, of course, raises the question: Do only sighted people know what it’s like to be sighted?

It’s an intriguing conundrum that goes to how people identify and define themselves.

I do remember meeting you at the SCBWI event, what serendipity that you happen to be a subscriber to Court Theater! I’ll be as eager to hear your impression of the play as you are to hear mine – let’s compare notes after you’ve seen it. Thanks for taking the time to comment to my blog, very much appreciated –

I met you and Hanni at the SCBWI event at Mayslake last month where Jan Dundon spoke. I’m a subscriber of Court Theatre and was following their reference to your being at rehearsal–it wasn’t until I clicked on the link to your blog that I realized I was reading about you. I am really looking forward to the play and I’ll be interested to hear what you think about the set and the staging when you return to Court for another rehearsal.

All the best–

Sallie