NEA: It’s perhaps no great surprise that “The Great White Way” is, well, quite white. According to the Asian American Performers Coalition, 78 percent of all roles on major New York stages were filled by Caucasian actors over the past nine years. Out of 39 Broadway shows produced during the 2015-16 season, there were just six writers of color, including composers. And according to Actors Equity, 77 percent of stage managers on Broadway and Broadway touring productions were white.
4 comments:
I’m very interested to see the outcome of The Sol Project. Diversity is so so important in the world of theatre, and it means a lot seeing Latinx stories get to play a part in this. I’m glad to see that this project focuses not only on commercial theatre, but also extends to local theatres outside of New York. Because diversity needs to be instilled on both fronts in order to be effective. It’s also good that this is a two show commitment, because one of the biggest issues with most diversity movements is that they are considered an extra event. To really work, diversity needs to be incorporated as a regular part of the season, not a one off. This initiative seems to be a good way to kickstart that. Now, the other part to this initiative is on the end of the consumer. We as audiences have to be sure to go see and support diverse works, so that producers know it’s just as profitable if not more so.
I am really curious what the outcome of this project will be and how it will change the color of theater. For a community that is so committed to telling truthful stories about all people it is crazy to me that we still have a diversity problem. Emma is correct in her comment above that it means a lot to see the stories of Latinx people recognized because that is still a severely under represented group in theater and in the arts in general. My largest issue or concern with this project is that it has an expiration date. What we have to remember is that diversity in small spurts is great but we have to keep them going. Progress is a constant thing and we need to be paying attention to who we are hiring and the stories that we are telling all the time. I am excited to see the outcome of this project and hope that more like it come our way.
One thing that hits me the most about Padron’s remarks is that he believes “The Sol Project will have failed if the only time a partner company does a Latinx production is when they’re doing it with The Sol Project”. Often times people from the minority groups will see the challenge of unfair casting or lack of representation in all areas of theatre, and they rise to the challenge by starting a project and work their best to raise awareness and create sparks for more further deep discussion about racial, religious, gender, etc. equality. Some of them were successful in that the particular projects have provided more opportunities and given more voice to the underrepresented demographic, and that the discussion that centers around equal pay and equal representation seems to never cease. However, if you look it from the other side, the industry is still vastly skewed in favor of straight white males, and every once in a while, some projects that advocate for diversity need to get launched. The consistency of the effort is extremely important and in the interview Padron said we need more leaders of color to run the theatres. I could not find truer words. We need to put more people from diverse background in leading positions instead of relying on straight white people to once in a while “help” us a little.
I think this is one of the biggest and most systemic problems in the theatre community currently. The lack of diversity in both the casting and the audience is not only disappointing but disheartening. It conjures ideas of the futility of our art if only it is seen by one sect of people. I believe this new generation of upcoming artists like ourselves is what is going to ebb the tide. The diversity at CMU right now is some of the most I have ever seen in theatre. I am optimistic about the prospects and anxious to be a part of it. This group's efforts are a good catalyst I believe. Their idea of involving others in the process is exactly what the inclusivity initiative needs. After all, rising tides lift all boats.
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