[The mission of AAPAC (ASIAN AMERICAN PERFORMERS ACTION
COALITION) is to expand the perception of Asian American performers in
order to increase their access to and representation on New York City’s
stages. The advocacy work that HOLA does for Latino/Hispanic performers is comparable to what AAPAC does for Asian American performers. AAPAC was founded in 2011. What affects one community of color affects all communities of color. For more information on AAPAC, click here.]
After seeing The Roundabout Theatre
Company’s Broadway production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" and
receiving numerous complaints about the use of brownface in the
production, AAPAC feels it is necessary to release the following public statement:
We were deeply disappointed to see white actors impersonating characters of South Asian descent complete with brown grease paint, appropriation of costumes and dance movements and relying on stereotypes in place of characterization. The obvious talents of the actors notwithstanding, the use of brownface had the effect of being extremely surreal and alienating, as if a joke was being told that was not intended for the Asian American community to hear.
We understand that the racism inherent in this musical is a reflection of the social mores within 19th century British panto and Music Hall traditions. Director Scott Ellis was being true to tradition, historical precedent, and to the story itself.
The Roundabout Theatre Company does not have a good record when it comes to inclusive casting. Last year, we released a report looking at the percentages of actors of color hired at 16 of the top not-for-profit theatre companies in New York City over a five year span. The Roundabout made our list of the five theatre companies least likely to hire actors of color. In fact, they ranked second to lowest.
We are reaching out to the Roundabout to engage in closed-door discussions about these issues and are hopeful that they will accept our invitation. We are certain that their record does not reflect a conscious policy of exclusion and we hope that by bringing these issues to a more conscious level, the Roundabout can become an ally in an industry-wide commitment to more inclusive casting.
In the meantime, if you feel as strongly as we do, it would be very helpful if you take two minutes to send Artistic Director Todd Haimes a short missive via their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/RoundaboutTheatreCompany.
Until there is conscious attention given to these issues throughout the industry, opportunities for American actors of Asian descent--and all actors of color-- will never be truly equal.
Yours in Solidarity,
The AAPAC Steering Committee
Pun Bandhu, Cindy Cheung, Kimiye Corwin, Angel Desai, Siho Ellsmore, Christine Toy Johnson, Peter Kim, Julienne Hanzelka Kim, Nancy Kim Parsons, Kenneth Lee, Allan Mangaser, Eileen Rivera
1 comment:
Shame on The Roundabout Theatre Company. Shame on them.
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