Walk in the Glow of Each Other's Majestic Presence

I have just finished reading Whistling Vivaldi and Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us by Claude M. Steele. I have it from the library, but am strongly considering purchasing my own copy. This is a book I think everyone should read. Really, everyone.

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Since the performances of Never After this weekend, I've read many posts and received many emails talking about how wonderful the show was, how much people enjoyed the production and congratulating us on such a huge success. Thank you to all of you who've written and to everyone who was at the show--our audiences were the best we've ever had, both in terms of size and engaged, positive reaction to our work.

I have also read and received comments about the casting of a woman of color as Hexasper. Audience members were troubled that the only major character of color was the Evil Fairy and felt that this was a very racist choice. I can understand that perception and I'd like to address it.

Sonya Joyner, the actor who did a great job with the role of Hexasper, is black. She specifically wanted that role, gave a fantastic audition for it, and impressed the casting committee with her suitability for the role. There was not another role suitable for her vocal range. Nor was there another actor who fit the role as well. During our deliberations, the casting committee did consider the issue of her race as it would impact that role. Personally, I was very troubled by the dilemma and consulted with a couple of friends who are people of color themselves and/or have taken an interest in issues of racism and discrimination.

Clearly, what this highlights is the failure of Theatre@First to attract a large pool of actors of color. We've had them--this is Sonya's third show with us and there have been others--and we have other actors of various national origin, ethnic background, religion, disability, sex, and sexual orientation. But overall, we're a pretty white-looking group. There was one other person of color auditioning, but the casting committee felt that she was best placed in the Chorus. Had we had a larger, more diverse group auditioning, we wouldn't have faced this dilemma: to have the only person of color in a major role playing the evil one, or to not cast a qualified actor solely because of her race.

We made the decision to cast Sonya. And then--and this is my own, personal failure--we didn't think about it any more. Now that I've been called on it, I see what an error this was. I should have considered how her race would impact the audience's impression of the character and how to respond to that. I should have talked with the author about it further. I should have talked with Sonya about this issue. But I didn't, and the show went on as many of you saw it and gave the appearance of racism. I think it's a fair cop and all of my concern and good intentions don't mitigate that.

Out of this have come some good conversations--I want to thank everyone who raised this issue for calling this out, and for being willing to give me the benefit of the doubt and believe that I am sincerely interested in doing better personally and helping Theatre@First to do better as an institution. These commenters' willingness to engage with me on this subject is yet another example of the stunning support that our community provides. Rather than keep these conversations screened and private, I am posting here because--as one of the people communicating with me pointed out--it is important that these conversations happen publicly, that we not be afraid to discuss race and the complex issues and feelings that it raises, that we have a chance to call out and to share the failures, and that we have an opportunity to discuss our way forward.

As a first step, we are developing a statement of non-discrimination that I hope the Steering Committee will agree to put on our website and all of our audition publicity, to encourage wider participation by a more diverse group within our community. I have received other excellent suggestions (finding a consultant with expertise in this area, applying for grants for funding focused on these issues, seeking out groups with stronger participation by people of color for possible collaboration, etc.) that we will have to consider and which will take time to develop. We will have many conversations and, certainly, a greater awareness, as we move on into future productions.

Again, thank you to everyone who has commented about the production. Your support has been overwhelming and extremely gratifying and we hope to continue to engage you with our future endeavors.