HowlRound: The Slant Culture Theatre Festival (now defunct) is a Louisville festival whose third year coincided with my decision to be an arts writer in Louisville. I reviewed several of the festival’s plays and saw all but one of the sixteen productions. I had a great time watching and celebrating the Louisville theatre scene come together.
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While I understand the writer was speaking within their realm of influence, this is a much bigger problem than just in Louisville, Kentucky. This problem stretches over the entirety of our art form. And its cyclical. A lot of times, white artists don't speak about black problems or produce shows about the problems that people of color face in our communities because quite frankly its not a white persons place to talk from a black persons perspective. Not to mention, every single person involved in the theatrical community is to blame. These works are not produced for a variety of reasons, including the fact that, statistically, shows that feature people of color sell less tickets than shows that don't. Thats racism by our patrons. It is the responsibility of every single person that supports theatre or is involved in some way to take the initiative for themselves to support works that do feature POC.
The anecdote about the artistic director of a company texting the writer about their discomfort and hurt when facing themselves with this issue shows just how important it is to talk about it and to prompt people to action. One of the most important point that the actor makes is that there doesn't have to be a "black" play to cast black actors - that's what colorblind casting is for. A lot of these theaters may not be able or willing to put on works by POC about POC because it doesn't fulfill their mission or whatever, but they absolutely can cast anyone in any of their roles. Evidently the goal is to eventually have a diverse scene with works from people of all colors and shapes, but it won't happen overnight. Making a conscious effort to look outside the casting pool they know and extend an "invitation" to POC into the community is a way of starting that dialogue, and connecting the performers and audiences to this issue. It's important to give a voice to minority theater artists, and it might have to start in the casting room before it gets to season selection.
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