Are Asian Americans disadvantages when applying to MT schools? Which schools are more likely to do nontraditional casting?
Sorry, “disadvantaged”
I’m gonna go out on a limb here - because I have no hard facts, just observations I’ve made - and say that being Asian American would be an advantage, rather than a disadvantage, at most programs. I only say this, because it appears to me that the “top tier” MT schools generally tend to have more “underrepresented faces” pictured in both their entering and graduating classes, while other programs are more “homogenous” in appearance. This indicates to me that those “more unique faces” are highly desirable. My guess is that most schools would love to do MORE nontraditional casting, but are stuck in the position of needing to make their “traditional type” students LOOK like other ethnicities in an effort to bring more contemporary productions to their stages (if playwrights allow). Nontraditional casting is most likely here to stay on the big-city professional stages and being an Asian American may be a “guarantee” (if such a thing exists in the theater world) of future paychecks - something most MT programs would love to boast about.
I have NO evidence to back this- but I thought (just from reading threads here) that “Asian Male” was something of a unicorn in the MT world- really rare and valuable …
@toowonderful
I would agree. Also based on what we saw at Unifieds and on campus.
What about Asian female?
@2wuhanmom, I agree with those above. It seems to me that most schools are looking to increase the diversity of their programs, and being part of any ethnic group is a positive in this process. My D is happy that her look is considered “ethnically ambiguous” because she feels it gives her more options.
Thanks!
I work a diverse population of students and I can tell you that when I bring Asian or Asian American students to unifieds they are incredibly sought after. I brought an insanely talented Japanese students to SETC about five or six years ago and schools were calling me for months about her (that never happens).
As a professional - I was trying to cast an Asian/Asian American actress to play a principal in a show I am doing this summer (a traditionally white role), put in the casting notice that I wanted to cast it that way, and received submissions from 7 actresses (out of something like 2,500 submissions for the season).
In short, it is a HUGE advantage.
Fabulous! Thanks!
I know three asian girls who auditioned this year and all three did very well!!
I’m an Asian American female who auditioned for MT schools last year. When I got interest, I got a lot of it, but this doesn’t mean I was accepted at a million programs. It still is about talent and I’d argue you get weighed against peers of other races equally- but it can help pique initial interest.
Great point @attheballet! Ethnicity may get you noticed, but will not translate to acceptances without talent to back it up. I know minorities shut out of all auditioned programs in the last three audition cycles. It only helps if a school is looking for your ethnicity, no different than being tall or red head or whatever…