University of Melbourne Music Theatre Association (UMMTA) is the University of Melbourne's only Music Theatre focused open student theatre group. As a result of their large scale and ambition, their productions are a great opportunity for those involved to gain experience, exposure, and community.

For UMMTA's 2026 Semester 1 Production, the team are putting on Shrek the Musical. Shrek is widely interpreted as an allegory of racism, addressing issues such as systemic discrimination and marginalisation. The musical further emphasises these themes, including celebrating diversity in the song Freak Flag, in which the fairy-tale characters embrace their identities and group up to rebel against Lord Farquad.

The cast chosen for their production are predominantly visibly caucasian individuals. Furthermore, all four of the leading roles (Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey, and Lord Farquad; two of whom are characters being actively marginalised and discriminated against, and one of whom secretly holds an identity that does) are all visibly caucasian.

This selection is disappointing, and does not live up to the standards of diversity that a group as large as UMMTA should be holding themselves to, especially for a show that involves and champions visible diversity.

Diverse casting aims to both provide equal opportunities to individuals from under-represented, under-privileged communities as well as promote the inclusivity these communities have in our world, challenging societal and systemic biases. Thus, diversity in casting cannot only be invisible, and it is of great importance that the casting of roles is taken with careful deliberation and great care, such as to reflect the story and identity of said characters.

We ask that UMMTA:

1. Review their diversity and equity inclusion documents and policies, and if these are sufficient and/or effective.
2. Review how these policies were implemented as practices during the casting process, and why it failed.
3. Create, improve, and/or refine the above.
4. Implement these policies and practices in the casting process of their future productions, with the aim of conscious diverse casting.

It is disappointing that UMMTA has failed in this area, despite their promise of cultural diversity (such as in their Constitution, Diversity and Equity Inclusion Policy, and Co-Presidency 2026 Policy) as well as their past brushes with issues surrounding the lack of diversity in casting. We urge UMMTA to reflect and do better, so that we can continue to build a student theatre community that truly includes people from all backgrounds.