<p>Make me the third poster with a tiny Asian daughter. Mine is a sophomore, 5 feet, 95 pounds, full grown, beautiful (at least we think so!) talented, etc. and also has felt the sting of directors who lack vision. Recently she was up for Peter Pan and SO wanted the part and was essentially told ahead of time that she would be cast by the producer of the show. But when push came to shove, the director who was doing the actual casting could not get past the long hair (which we felt could be taken care of using wigs, but he insisted that it would have to be cut short like Cathy Rigby's) and the Asian face, so she was cast as Tiger Lily. Now this is a kid who was a competitive gymnast (level 9 at only ten years old), sings, dances at an advanced level, was the right size, etc. but was still cast racially (she does have a kind of Native American look too even though she's Korean). She turned down Tiger Lily since she feels it is demeaning towards Native Americans (little political activist that she is) and a few days later was given the part of Tuptim in a local production of King and I! Which if you read another of my posts, you'll know was later cancelled when the company couldn't get the rights. It's been a heartbreaking couple of months here! But she is still determined to keep going. She knows it will be difficult and yes we too are REALLY hoping that Asians are considered for more than playing prostititutes or bar girls (think anyone other than Kim in Miss Saigon, think Movin Out, think Liat in South Pacific even--not really terrific parts). My daughter could easily play Belle in Beauty and the Beast, but was cast as the tumbling rug. Great, she doesn't look like Belle, but she could sure sing and act the part! She could easily play Laurie in Oklahoma and even do her own dream ballet, but will that happen? We'll see. I do agree that Asians are SEEN more than they were, but ensemble most of the time. But African Americans are being seen in lead roles that in the past would have gone to white girls, so MAYBE Asian girls will make it too! But we've been waiting for an Asian American Girl Doll since our girls were little, and despite the addition of a Hispanic doll, a Native American Doll, and several new white dolls, there is STILL no Asian doll which has a story to it. So we aren't holding our breathe that theater is really ready to embrace Asians in lead roles unless the part was specifically written for an Asian. Sorry for the rant! It is just very frustrating to watch directors cast so traditionally when it REALLY isn't necessary, and it does seem that Asians in theater are the last minority to be considered for leads. Why? Who knows. But with Artsymom's D and mtmommy's D and my D, maybe they can change the world!</p>
<p>Nydancemom--You go, mama! Our girls are GOING to change the world. Mine tells me that all the time! BTW, what is that with the American Girl doll situation? It used to bug me when D was younger. PM me, and I'll tell you about my D's move toward changing the world on that front. Back to the casting: that's such a sad thing that happened to your D about the loss of her Tuptim role. We saw The King and I last night in L.A., and once again we watched Asian women in demeaning positions by 21st century American standards. Reminds me of when the director made a point of PRE-CASTING my D as the main Bangkok prostitute in Chess. Ever hear of pre-casting ensemble? When is Mulan going to be a musical, anyway?</p>
<p>Well, my girls are both white Americans, but I have three adopted Chinese godchildren who are absolutely gorgeous. The oldest is showing a real desire for musical theater at the tender age of 6. She's asking questions regarding the race issue, especially since my girls are doing so well in theater. At this point, I'm not sure how to respond. And, with regard to the American Girl situation, I can't agree with you more. My girls have Magic Attic dolls and once upon a time there was a beautiful Asian one, but they discontinued it "for lack of interest"!!!!! You can't get Magic Attic dolls any more (at least I don't think so). It is really good to see, however, that there are several Cabbage Patch dolls with Asian features. </p>
<p>IMHO, Asian girls are absolutely gorgeous and should not be held back. </p>
<p>NYdancemom--isn't your daughter the ballerina? That's one area where Asians are really starting to come into their own. My dd had an opportunity to perform with Yan Chen from ABT and she was tiny, but gorgeous.</p>
<p>God bless.</p>
<p>mtmommy and nydancemom, I'm so glad you both posted. Great points: The casting of African-Americans is not the same as the casting of Asians. The token Asian ensemble player is not enough. The Asian female stereotypes -- beautiful doll, prostitute, dragon lady or some fantasy combination thereof -- have got to go, or at the very least be augmented by some strong, well-written roles for Asian women. So yeah, Mulan the musical! And how 'bout Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon the musical? Everyone deserves a chance to fly!</p>
<p>I think the problem with this issue of Asians in theatre is actually two-fold. Firstly, there are few roles actually written for Asians in the vast MT repertoire, and secondly, the percentage of actors who ARE Asian is small compared to other races and ethnicities. This is an issue which a lot of college programs have been addressing for the past five or ten years in their admissions process. I know that CMU has made it a point to give minorities a 'leg up', so to speak, in their admissions process. This extends to the drama and MT departments. The fact is that there are far fewer Asian students applying to these programs.</p>
<p>Another point I'd like to make is that, it is my firm belief that the discrimination which so many of your wonderful children have faced is much more prevalent in their situations than it would be professionally, or in NYC. In recent years there has been much color-blind casting when it is possible. It isn't ALWAYS possible depending on the particular roles, however, even that is changing. AIDA is a good example. One would think that that particular role could never be played by anyone who was not African American. Yet it has been played with great success by a few Latina actors who are light-skinned. I think it's only a matter of time before an Asian actor plays the role. </p>
<p>Another example is Wicked. The u/s for Elphaba now is Saycon Sengbloh an African American actor who has also been in Rent and Aida. In Rent, the character of Alexi is always played by an Asian actor. On one of the tours, or possibly two, an Asian actor understudied Maureen. And there have been several male Asian actors in Rent who have played the lead role of Angel, who is written for a Latino actor. Belle on Broadway has been played by an African American actress.</p>
<p>I guess my main point is that things happen slowly. The fact that they ARE happening is good. It will take some time to filter down to the local level and community theatre. It will also take some time for more Asian kids to get into drama programs at the college level and get out there and start auditioning. One only need to look at Lea Salonga to see that it is possible. For whomever asked, Flower Drum Song played for five months at the end of 2002/beginning of 2003.</p>
<p>Alwaysamom--My D is going to LOVE YOU! "AIDA is a good example. One would think that that particular role could never be played by anyone who was not African American. Yet it has been played with great success by a few Latina actors who are light-skinned. I think it's only a matter of time before an Asian actor plays the role."<br>
I can't wait to tell her you wrote that. Hugs to you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info on Flower Drum Song. Did you happen to see it? We had been anticipating it in LA and then it closed and never made it out here.</p>
<p>Most of the Asian kids I know would rather enter music programs than musical theater, and are excelling at them. I think that's a big part of the problem. Casting directors are seeing Asians as "musicians" and not "actors", which, of course, is ridiculous. But, I think it will take time and will eventually filter down to the local levels. I know the PA high school where my younger daughter was recently accepted, had quite a few Asian applicants, and several of them were accepted into the drama program, as well as music.</p>
<p>and i thought i was a shorty at 5 foot 3! i think most pro casting directors cast the ensemble around the leads. so if you have a short lead the ensemble will also be on the vertically challenged side. it all works out in the end. sometimes it can be a saving grace. this is from movie land instead of broadway but remember that natalie portman got fired from that godawful updated romeo and juliet movie because she is like 5 foot 1 and it looked like leo dicaprio who 6 feet was molesting her once they got in production. 5 foot 6 claire danes got to take the hits from the bad reviews instead! haha </p>
<p>another thing i dont want to start a fight or anything but i think some of the moms here worry to much about leads. there are lots and lots and lots of great actors that work all the time and have never gotten a lead in their whole lives. also something for the kids who are going to be making college visits to think about for next year when you visit a college and see a production dont watch the leads. watch the ensemble. if they arent bringing it just as much as the leads, stay away because they arent being taught to be professonals. The old cliche goes that "there are no small roles - just small actors." no pun intended. haha i am a confirmed character actor for life and it is something i must live by.</p>
<p>Notarebel
I agree that it is not necessary to be a lead. My D has said to me on more than one occasion that she wants to be on Broadway, no matter if it is ensemble. She would be thrilled with that. Actually a good friend is in the ensemble of Wicked right now and my D would DIE to be in her shoes! She is even Dorothy behind the screen if you've seen the show. And my D has been primarily a "dancer who sings", until the last year or two, so feels that her dancing may well be her ticket to Broadway. Another close friend from her dance studio was the youngest ensemble member of Oklahoma's revival on Broadway for its entire run and then when it closed did over a year on the first Thoroughly Modern Millie tour, so she has seen the possiblilites. I guess it's just frustrating to feel, and actually experience, not being cast in leads when you know that you would be capable of doing them (and maybe more so than those who were cast- sorry - that sounds kind of snotty). Especially since most of her close theater friends, at least the ones who go to her school, are guys, who get everything they want BECAUSE they're guys and they even have rules that only upperclassmen girls can have leads, but any grade level guys can. What's up with that? Then when you add in the Asian factor, it gets really annoying. But to her credit, she took her tumbling rug part in Beauty and the Beast and made it her own! We actually got a big laugh out of the fact that she was truly an "Oriental Rug"! </p>
<p>Midgetmom
Yes, my daughter is also a ballet dancer, and although she has done quite well with it here in our area, she has no interest in doing it more than that. She continues to train many hours each weeek since she knows it is the foundation for the rest of her dancing, but truly is not built like a ballerina (short legs, long torso- at least long for someone 5 feet tall, lol). And really loves the WHOLE MT thing, not just the dancing. </p>
<p>Alwaysamom
Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, I agree that things are happening to change the situation of Asians in MT, SLOWLY, but changing. Hopefully, the three Asian D's on CC (that have posted anyway) will really launch that change into warpspeed!</p>
<p>Very well said concerning ensembles roles. If a performer wants to perform, they will take every available opportunity and make that part their own. I very rarely look at a lead in a show because it's obvious why they got there. The ensemble is the backbone and a weak ensemble makes for a weak show. My dd just reminded me that the young man who plays the prince in R&H's "Cinderella" starring Brandy, was "discovered' while in the revival of "The King and I" on Broadway. He brought such a charisma to his teeny, tiny ensemble part, that the casting agents for "Cinderella" fell in love with him and he won the role. Also, don't forget "A Chorus Line". Why does Zack interview each and every performer so hard when he needs strong dancers? Surely, there are very, very gifted dancers out there who would be stronger in his "line". However, he wanted a line of "people who could dance" vs. "dancers who just happen to be people", and wanted to learn about them more before making a final decision.</p>
<p>I agree with Alwaysamom that part of the reason that there are few Asian leads is the dearth of Asian parts. What I would like to see is color blind casting for parts where it is just not important. Beauty can be Asian, so can Cinderella, so can Belle in "A Christmas Carol" . It just does not make a difference when the magic of the show sets in. I have seen mixed families in shows, and there just is no reason an Asian mix cannot be done. I just bought tickets to go into NYC to see "On Golden Bond", and I believe the cast is color blind. No reason one of the players could not be Asian. That when the floodgates would be opened. When you have each character set in stone as to ethnicity, kids who are Indian or Asian or African American are not going to have the choices. It does not work with every piece, but from what I am seeing, it works a lot with good directing and good acting and an open mind.</p>
<p>Well said. I totally agree about color-blind casting. Brandy's "Cinderella" has a black Cinderella, a white stepmother, a black step-sister coupled with a white stepsister, an Asian prince, and a black and white married king and queen. That's total diversity. At first it seemed a little strange, but the story is so timeless that it's very easy to get past all the diversity and just fall in love with the show. </p>
<p>One of my little Asian nieces was watching it one night and said "how come Cinderella has black hair"? The sweet little thing didn't even realize the color of Brandy's skin. She was concerned about the black hair because Disney's Cinderella is blond!!!!!</p>
<p>BRAVO MidgetMom! I have been saying it for years and will continue to do so. A show is only as good as it's WHOLE cast and that includes the ensemble! There is nothing worse than watching a show where the ensemble members have not done their homework to create a fleshed out character(s). I have always said that ensemble members work much harder than leads, at least that is my opinion. In most cases ensemble members are playing several different characters on stage and must make each and everyone believable. That is why it is important to be as good an actor as you are a singer/dancer.</p>
<p>Thanks for the BRAVO!!! Another show where a chorus is so vital is "Les Mis". They are an ensemble acting as a principal imho. And, unlike a lot of musicals where crowd scenes are just a few in the first and second act, the ensemble in "Les Mis" is the entire show!!!! Also, where would POTO be without the huge ensemble? While everybody wants to be a Christine and Raoul, the ensemble is gorgeous (actually, I'm very partial to Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals).</p>
<p>Lots of shows have strong ensembles and, from what I understand from a friend of mine who just finished a run in "Mama Mia", an ensemble contract doesn't have an end date. You can stay as long as you do your job and won't get replaced like so many principals do. (This is only hearsay. I don't know this for gospel truth). If that is the case, then ensemble performers can work longer than leads.</p>
<p>midgetmom, ensemble members have contracts, just as leads do. Everyone we know who's been in a show on Broadway signs the same type of contract, although some specify six months, some nine, some a year. This isn't determined by the particular role, though. No one to my knowledge has an open-ended contract, I've never heard of that. They're all subject to the minimums which are required by Equity.</p>
<p>Thanks for clarifying that. I thought it sounded a little strange, but the girl I know who was in "Mamma Mia" swore by it. I e-mailed her after I wrote that post and she confirmed it. So, I don't know what the deal is with this. It doesn't make any sense to me. I do know that her role in "Mamma Mia" wasn't on stage. It was a singer contract from a studio in the theater. Apparently some of these musicals use a lot of extra singers backstage and they never get on stage.</p>
<p>Anyway, like I said, this is only from somebody told me. At this point, I tend to agree with you.</p>
<p>Giraffe with boobs [Read: Tall ing</p>
<p>Thesbo
You crack me up! And I agree with you, there's always going to be someone who's not right for a particular role. Let just hope there are always roles for all of our CC friends!</p>
<p>Hey, nydancemom - good to catch up with you online instead of waving as we drop our ds off at dance. (And thank you for driving my d to the performance yesterday!) I usually hang out at the Parents forum but occasionally read the MT forum because I am AMAZED at the high quality of the information posted, the supportive atmosphere, and the accomplishments of so many young performers.</p>
<p>On typing - anyone who can be completely convincing and charming as a reindeer in pointe shoes, as your #1d has been so many times, can do just about anything else too, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before producers and casting agents get it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the nice post! I showed it to D1, she was appreciative of your kind words. D2 had a great time with your D3 yesterday. She was delightful as always.</p>