In the first event of its kind, the Casting Society of America is hosting an international open call for transgender actors. The open call is happening in 13 locations on Sunday, Oct. 22, including right here in Portland.

According to a press release, the open call is part of the CSA's commitment to "challenge unconscious bias, empower casting directors to lead the inclusion conversation, and discover, educate, and promote the next generation of extraordinary talent within a wide range of diverse communities."

More than 30 members of the CSA will be holding the call on Sunday, which is open to union and non-union transgender actors, including, as the release details, non-binary, gender non-confirmation, and genderqueer actors. Those with professional training and those who want to pursue careers as professionals are welcome.

In Portland, Cast Iron Studios is hosting the call. The company, which has handled local casting for such projects as "Grimm" and "The Librarians," has details about the event on the Cast Iron Studios blog.

There are a limited number of spots available, so actors are asked to register if they have previously taken acting classes and/or performed professionally, either onstage or on camera.

Actors should prepare a scene that is one to two minutes long and is, ideally, a dialogue between two people (actors can bring their own reader, or provide an extra set of pages and a Cast Iron Studios staff member will read with the actor.)

Cast Iron Studios also requests that actors already known to the company, or who are already represented by a Northwest talent agent, submit a self-taped audition, leaving the open call spaces available to new actors and those who don't yet have representation.

To find the link to register for the Oct. 22 open call, and read more specifics about how to get ready, go to the Cast Iron Studios blog.

Cast Iron Studios is also in the process of planning its annual Meals for Monologues food drive and open casting call. The event, which is tentatively scheduled for late November, is open to all, no matter experience or skill level.

For information on the exact date and other details associated with Meals for Monologues, Cast Iron Studios recommends joining the company's mailing list, or following it on Facebook or Twitter.

-- Kristi Turnquist



kturnquist@oregonian.com

503-221-8227

@Kristiturnquist