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On this episode of BroadwayRadio’s “Tell Me More,” we discuss the issue of diversity and representation on stage. First, we talk to Christine Toy Johnson, an Asian American actress and Actors’ Equity Council Member, and the chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity committee. We discuss the diversity study that AEA released over the summer and what the union is doing in light of the disappointing findings.
Then, we speak to Andrew Shade, the Founder and Editorial Director of the theatre website BroadwayBlack.com. The site broke the news that Okieriete Onaodowan would be replaced by by Mandy Patinkin in the Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.” Following their coverage of the ensuing casting controversy, the site was often unfairly accused of aiding in closing the musical on Broadway.
In the episode, we spoke with both individuals about the representation issues on Broadway and in the theatre in general, what can be done to address, and the difficulty of balancing color blind casting and color conscious casting.
Actors’ Equity Association Diversity Study: CLICK HERE
Broadway Black: OKIERIETE “OAK” ONAODOWAN DEPARTS THE GREAT COMET; MANDY PATINKIN WILL REPLACE
Christine Toy Johnson
Twitter: @CToyJ
Website: christinetoyjohnson.com
Andrew Shade
Twitter: @DrewShade
Twitter: @broadwayblack
Facebook: broadwayblack2.0
Website: broadwayblack.com
Matt Tamanini
[email protected]
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
