How do YOU say BASS/VALLE?
The Bass/Valle team provides creative talent solutions and in-depth casting searches, with a proven commitment to the power of diversity in the arts.
Headed by a Puerto Rican head of casting and a SWANA casting consultant, we believe very strongly in the necessity of new voices in the arts, and are continually attending showcases, workshops, and unique theatre projects to build robust lists of actors we hope to advocate for and uplift. We believe in expanding the dialogue around who can be in the worlds of each project, and in challenging the strict binary and “white by default” patterns we still see far too often in commercial entertainment. We strive to create a safe, equitable, and joyful casting process for all, and look forward to working with you soon!
You can learn more about us below!
NOTE: We are available for Spanish language projects, and have the resources to include The Casting Collaborative and other colleagues if different backgrounds/perspectives are needed to best serve the work.
MEET THE TEAM
Casting Director &
Casting Collaborator
Gama valle
ÉL/HIM
GAMA VALLE is a Puerto Rican, New York based director, playwright, screenwriter, children's author and casting director. He holds an M.F.A in Directing from The New School (NYC) and a B.A. in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras). Gama is a proud member of New Light Theater Project, the SCBWI and The Casting Collaborative!
His Spanish language debut picture book, PITU LE BAILA AL MAR (Pitu Dances to the Sea) is an International Latino Book Awards winner. PROHIBIDO LLORAR (Absolutely No Crying), Gama's upcoming Spanish language picture book, is out in May 2024.
He is a recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship at Repertorio Español. Gama received the First Prize in playwriting from Puerto Rico’s Institute of Culture for his play “QUEISHD&DILIT” in 2008. Gama's scripted podcasts PROMESA PROMESOTA and PASTEL COLOR RIPPLES are available on all streaming platforms.
Gama curates IATI Theater's PRIDE Fiesta: QUEERTÁSTICO since 2020.
​Casting credits include: BRUISE AND THORN (Pipeline Theatre), TENDER RAIN (Syracuse Stage), WAR WORDS (NewYorkRep), LAUGHS IN SPANISH (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), I WANT TO F*CK LIKE ROMEO AND JULIET (New Light Theater Project), HOW RO BREAK (Village Theatre), DREAM HOUSE (Alliance Theatre/Baltimore Center Stage/Long Wharf Theatre), among others.
Directing credits include: THE LESSON (Teatro LATEA), L’AMFIPARNASO (The Western Wind), I CATCH YOU DREAMING, AMONG WHO, WHOM AND EVER, IN LOVE BUT DISCREET (Repertorio Español), THE GIRL WHO USED TO DIE OVER AND OVER AGAIN (Repertorio Español).
Gama's children's and fiction work is represented by Leah Pierre of Ladderbird Literary Agency.
IG: @gamavalle
Casting Collaborator
Gregory jafari
Van acker
THEY/HE
GREGORY JAFARI VAN ACKER is NY based casting director, author, educator, and playwright/lyricist who loves making connections and bringing people together, especially in the company of team members from Bass/Valle Casting and The Casting Collaborative!
As Playwright/Lyricist: The Price of Saffron (Spinning Dot Theatre/EMU, part of the TYA BIPoC Superhero Project), The Newest Newcomer (Sundog Theatre), NOPLACE (Goodspeed Musicals/Johnny Mercer Grove selection, Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference semifinalist), Sugar Skull (Rhythm of the Arts), The Joining Place (avail on Bandcamp), Thurgood Grows Up (Sugar Hill Museum of Art and Storytelling), The Book of You (Durango Arts Center).
As Casting Director: Como Correr (dir. Nico Raimont, Peak Performances), The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience (Netflix/Shondaland), Bite-Sized Broadway (Indieworks), Kisses and Bullets (dir. Faranak Sahafian), The Deciders (dir. Jess McLeod, Woolly Mammoth), Shoot For The Moon (dir. Raja Feather Kelly, MTF), The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (BFRJ Sings @ Little Island).
As Casting Associate: English (dir. Shadi Ghaheri, Alliance), Sunset Blvd (ACT of CT), House of Telescopes (world premiere, Pipeline Theatre Company), Stranger Sings: The Parody Musical (Playhouse 46 @ St. Luke's), The Great Gatsby (Immersive Everywhere), Journey! (dir. John Rando), and others.
Van Acker is a recipient of the Dr. Kenny Hasija Encouragement Fund for Theatremakers Grant (presented by Ken Davenport). Van Acker and writing partner Joel Esher are recipients of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council/New York City Department of Cultural Affairs/Howard Gilman Foundation Creative Engagement Grant.
Van Acker is available for freelance script doctoring, audition technique workshops, and can be found telling tales from Greece and the Middle East at NYC museums, attending SWANA roundtables, seeing new shows from new voices at all stages of development, or writing new musicals and TV series pitches with favorite collaborators such as Joel Esher and Scott Lilly. Van Acker is queer, gender-fluid, MENA, BROWN, and deeply committed to increasing positive representation for historically excluded voices.
