Visual and performing arts have historically failed to reflect America's racial makeup. According to a recent article by United Magazine, only 13.2% of actors and creators identify as Latinx, Black, or Asian.
To make up for a lack of gender diversity and presence of people of color on the stage, local leaders and students in California have worked together to promote performances with more gender and racial portrayal.
In Orange County California, lack of representation of gender and racial minorities is demonstrated in both community and school stages. With just over 58% of Orange County’s population being people of color, only 39% of performers and actors are members of racial minority communities. In addition, according to the New York Times, nationally, only 20% of productions are run by and consist of a cast that has a significant number of minorities. Diverse groups of people from around the area work alongside one another to provide a “social and mentally stimulating” event for the student population to attend together.
Amanda Assaf, a resident of Southern California and teenage biracial woman said that she has often faced struggles in getting cast or even represented in theatrical works.
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Young actress Amanda Assaf excitedly rehearses with her peers. But she never forgets the ongoing racial struggle. “As discouraging as this [discriminatory] treatment can be, I try to use these challenges to further motivate myself in my work,” Assaf said. “I want to be able to prove what I am capable of as an actress, and my race shouldn’t have to be a factor in that.”
“Being a woman of color in the acting field definitely comes with its struggles,” Assaf said. “It’s clear that oftentimes, directors are imagining a white female lead as the face of their production.”
Orange County has planned and held several arts competitions in which young artists have the opportunity to socialize while competing to win awards including, “Commercial Music Artist of the Year”.
London Coco Griffin, a rising high school senior at Mater Dei High School, became a finalist in the county’s acting category and believes that it has helped her grow more aware of the double standard that lies in the performing arts world.
“There are definitely double standards,” Griffin said. “And I feel like I constantly have to work tirelessly to get to the level men are treated at, especially since there aren’t as many men in the field.”
Against the current:
London Coco Griffin motions with purpose on her home; the stage. However, Griffith always remembers the determination and work it took to get there. “It is VERY competitive [to be a woman in acting]; you have to be on your A game 100% of the time or you will disappear within the crowd,” Griffin said. “Although it is tiring, I love being able to give my whole life over to this craft.”
Former lighting designer and current dance teacher Jen Dobbins, has also been a past victim of sexism especially in the professional theatre technology world. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is a trade union with chapters all over the United States. To gain entry into the union, you need a sponsor to be considered for membership.
“I was one of two women in the entire [Washington] D.C. area and it was very, very challenging to kind of break into it,” Dobbins said. “It took a lot of networking and a lot of work to get a sponsor that would agree to take on a woman.”
Despite past struggles with sexist and racial biases, performing arts and its leaders still have the capability to move forward and move toward a new and improved world of arts.