Comments on: Inexplicable?

By: Trekkie Monster

Trekkie Monster — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:15:25 +0000

Points taken I guess (1) I rarely read Citizen reviews except for comic relief and (2) to me, casting diversity gives so much more to the production that it’s a no-brainer.

It we wanted the same bland stuff all the time we could just go to (insert favourite target for complaints about a lack of innovation here).

By: Trekkie Monster

Trekkie Monster — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:15:00 +0000

Points taken I guess (1) I rarely read Citizen reviews except for comic relief and (2) to me, casting diversity gives so much more to the production that it’s a no-brainer.

It we wanted the same bland stuff all the time we could just go to (insert favourite target for complaints about a lack of innovation here).

By: krisjoseph

krisjoseph — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:41:00 +0000

No — no glass houses at all! You’ve completely missed the point. The post is a reaction to the perception that an African Ghost of Christmas Past is inexplicable.

I’m not trying to cast negative light on Ottawa companies for casting white. Both OLT and the Gladstone will — I know for a FACT — cast openly, based on who auditions. And Zucchini Grotto has, since 2004, put a commitment to diversity statement into every audition notice. Local companies must cast based on who comes out to the audition. The NAC is in a different boat; has the mandate and scope to cast its net nationally, and has committed to creating an acting company that reflects the face of the country — they have the resources to do that, and so they should. And it should NOT be inexplicable to see a black Ghost or a half-Japanese Mrs Cratchit on an Ottawa stage. That’s all I’m saying.

By: krisjoseph

krisjoseph — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:41:00 +0000

No — no glass houses at all! You’ve completely missed the point. The post is a reaction to the perception that an African Ghost of Christmas Past is inexplicable.

By: Trekkie Monster

Trekkie Monster — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:58:56 +0000

Hmm… Not having seen the OLD production of ILYYPNC perhaps I’m not qualified to comment, but weren’t there two earlier productions in Ottawa with similarly (un)pigmented casts?

Glass houses?

By: Trekkie Monster

Trekkie Monster — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:58:00 +0000

Hmm… Not having seen the OLD production of ILYYPNC perhaps I’m not qualified to comment, but weren’t there two earlier productions in Ottawa with similarly (un)pigmented casts?

Glass houses?

By: Nadine

Nadine — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:22:23 +0000

As an actor and a visible minority, it’s no surprise I’m an advocate of ethnic diversity on stage. As you point out, our country has a mix of socio-cultural heritage…something that I agree should be reflected in our theatre (and the arts in general). I don’t believe this is a challenging concept…even for a white, upper-middle-income, middle-aged male.

I don’t necessarily believe multicultural casting is visionary. I do believe the opposite is culturally retarded.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:22:00 +0000

I don’t necessarily believe multicultural casting is visionary. I do believe the opposite is culturally retarded.

By: stagetrailers

stagetrailers — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Seconded! RT @mooneyontheatre: nicely put. RT @krisjoseph: New Blog Post: Inexplicable? — http://bit.ly/5T6aXO #theatre This comment was originally posted on Twitter

By: mooneyontheatre

mooneyontheatre — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:13:00 +0000

nicely put. RT @krisjoseph: New Blog Post: Inexplicable? — http://bit.ly/5T6aXO #theatre This comment was originally posted on Twitter