(Cross-posted from LJ)
So here's where things stand as far as... I don't know,
Yellowgate?
I've spent the last week or so hearing more or less the same admonition from most other people in the local theatre community with whom I've spoken: "It can't be done. You won't get all the Asians you want, especially for the kids. You're going to have to cast other ethnicities."
Won't.
Can't.
Have to.
I say FUCK THAT. If all you do is call the same people, use the same e-mail lists, post the same ad
Backstage West, then all you get is the same results. Of course the old way has never worked. Do these people even realize that there's a
Japanese school and cultural center in Oxnard. They have taiko classes and throw an
Obon festival every year! I'd bet $100 no one's ever approached them. With enough time (which we have) and a motivated production team (which we don't) led by a dedicated producer (which we would have, if the director bothered letting people in the loop), it would happen.
Okay, anyway...
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wiccabuffy finally had a face-to-face with the director (bringing Wes with her, in a solid tactical maneuver). A couple of clarifications were made: what the other theatre had done and what was being suggested was "only" eyeliner and possibly wigs. The director says she took offense to that as well, but not wanting to have the show taken away from her, held her tongue. The director insisted that had yellowface been even implied, she would have spoken up because she is especially sensitive to prejudice. In fact, the original production we'd all signed onto was
Fiddler on the Roof and being Jewish herself, she had intended to involve local synagogues and cultural groups in consultations and was hoping for an all-Jewish cast.
The gist of what came out of that meeting, as I understand it currently, is that the director understands our concerns, but is well on the Won't-Can't-Have to side of casting predictions. I've decided that, no matter how intransigent and unreasonable it makes me, that I could not, in good conscience, participate in the production if anyone of non-Asian descent is cast, from the leads right on down to the children. Say what you like about how unrealistic you believe I'm being, believe me, I've told myself that. But I can't bend on this, I just can't as much as part of me knows how much simpler and easier it would be if I could.
Right now, the director is taking everything from the meeting under advisement and will get back to us with her thoughts and reactions. So the advice I've given Jolyn and that I'm taking myself is to push the entire idea of it aside to better concentrate on
Evita and immediately pressing concerns.
By the by, all that isn't the only concern we're having with the director. I've already mentioned how closed-off and controlling she's been so far when it comes to information and advice. That shows no sign at all of abating. As far as we can tell, she's reached out to no one for assistance except her friend (and the guy who directed me in
Mister Roberts) who's signed on to be her Assistant Director. She's already asked two people to come on board as light and sound operators without even consulting Jolyn, who as producer should really be assembling the team. All in all, even if everything works out, I can't honestly say that I've got much enthusiasm at all for
The King and I and would not be anticipating working on it. That is a terrible foot on which to start a production.
If I had not signed on when the project was still
Fiddler and if I was not personal friends with the director, I would have walked weeks ago. Not good.
Lastly, FYI? If anyone ever needs good angry music, especially Angry Asian music? Grab the
Battlestar Galactica scores, composed by Bear McCreary. "Prelude to War", "Starbuck Takes On All Eight" and "Scar"? Awesome Angry Asianness.
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ericmuses. Half of me is all nostalgic and missing the folks that ended up in the "Inactive" pile and the other half is itching now to try out some new faces, not that I'm sure how that'd turn out. The dangers of spring cleaning, I guess. :)
contemplative
annoyed
recumbent
lethargic
embarrassed