“Diversity is increasing onstage on Broadway, according to a new study by the Asian American Performers Action Coalition,” writes Andrew R. Chow in Monday’s (1/15) New York Times. “The study, released Monday, examined the 2015-16 season and found it to be the most diverse the group has reviewed so far, with 35 percent of all roles going to minority actors, up from 30 percent the previous season and 24 percent the year before that. The coalition has now compiled 10 years of data on diversity on New York stages. Musicals like ‘Hamilton,’ ‘On Your Feet!’ and ‘The Color Purple’ have provided opportunities for African-American and Latino performers.… During the 2015-16 season, 23 percent of all roles went to African-American actors and 7 percent went to Latino actors. But Asian-American performers dropped to 4 percent of all roles.… Plays lagged far behind musicals, with minority actors in only 16 percent of those roles. And most of that casting—14 percent over all—went to African-American actors.… Minorities are still underrepresented onstage compared to New York City’s demographics.… A 2016 study by Actors’ Equity found that … nationwide, white stage actors generally earn higher wages and hold a disproportionate percentage of theater jobs.”
Posted January 19, 2018
