Former Congressman and current Michigan Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra really crossed the line with his new commercial. Now comedian Ali Wong is spoofing the controversial ad playing up the over the top stereotypes with workers in the rice field to math smarts to eating dog to Chun Li in Street Fighter. Even nyan Jeremy Lin makes an appearance. Pete “Is A Racist” Hoekstra approves this message.
The Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) released preliminary findings today on the representation of minority actors on New York City’s most prominent stages during the last five years. The full report, which will be released on Monday February 13th in conjunction with an industry roundtable, tallies the ethnic make-up of casts from all shows which opened on Broadway during this period and productions from sixteen of the largest not-for-profit theatres in New York City: The Atlantic Theatre Company, Classic Stage Company, Lincoln Center Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, MCC, The New Group, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Primary Stages, Public Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage, Signature Theatre, Theatre for a New Audience, Vineyard Theatre and The York Theatre Company. It is the first report on minority casting in New York theatre ever to be released publicly.
Promisingly, the report reveals that the percentage of minority actors in relation to total number of roles has increased, hovering at or near 21 percent for the past four years compared to 14 percent five years ago. In addition, the number of minority actors cast in roles which were not racially specific (what is commonly referred to as non-traditional or inclusive casting) rose year to year, an indicator of creativity within the casting process and, possibly, the breaking down of traditional racial stereotypes.
Still, only 10.6 percent of all roles this past year were cast without regard to race and very few minority actors were seen in leading roles. With very few ethnic and minority stories in mainstream New York theatre during this period, expanding non-traditional casting seems to be the best way to secure more employment opportunities for minority actors.
Most of the gains came from African-American performers who far outpaced their minority counterparts. Percentage of African-American performers in total number of roles doubled to 16 percent in the 08/09 and 09/10 seasons compared to 8 percent five years ago, dipping slightly to 14 percent this past year. African-Americans saw the largest increase in number of roles non-traditionally cast and were far more likely than any other minority group to be cast in a role that did not specify race. Though far behind in total numbers, Latino performers also doubled their visibility, accounting for 4 percent of total roles this past season compared to 2 percent five years ago.
Asian American performers do not seem to be a part of the trend towards more inclusive casting. Asian American performers saw their numbers drop, from 3 percent of all roles five years ago to 1 percent in the 08/09 and 09/10 seasons with a slight up tick to 2 percent this past year. While they were as likely as their Latino colleagues to be non-traditionally cast five and four years ago, in the past three years numbers of non- traditionally cast roles increased for Latinos while they decreased for Asians.
Asian Americans comprise 12.9 percent of New York City and is the city’s fastest growing major minority group, yet Asian actors accounted for only 1.6 percent of all available roles in new productions on Broadway, 3.3 percent of roles at non- profit companies and 2.3 percent of roles when looking at the industry as a whole.
There were only 18 Principal Broadway contracts for Asian American actors in the last five years.
Asian American performers are the least likely among the major minority groups to play roles that are not defined by their race.
In response to these findings, AAPAC will hold an industry roundtable with prominent producers, artistic directors, directors, playwrights, agents and casting directors to have a dialogue on access and representation of minority actors on NYC stages and how best to overcome obstacles to more inclusive casting. It will be co-presented with Fordham University and will be moderated by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (Chinglish, M. Butterfly):
AAPAC and Fordham University present
“RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater”
Monday, February 13th, at 7:00 pm
The Pope Auditorium at Fordham University
60th St/and Columbus avenue, just inside main entrance
To RSVP, send an email to aapacrsvp@gmail.com Seating is limited.
RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater
Chester See x Lana McKissack x Cookie Monster get together for a series of videos about cookies. Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster gets unfairly blamed a lot for taking cookies. In the series, he’s been put through intervention and even sees Psychologist for his issues. See how Cookie Monster deals with all the accusations.
Don’t Eat My Cookies with Chester See x Lana McKissack x Cookie Monster
Intervention with Chester See x Lana McKissack x Cookie Monster
The Psychologist with Chester See x Lana McKissack x Cookie Monster
Singer Jerry Jean dropped an animated music video for his single “Just Take My Hand” off his upcoming album “Fighting For You”. The music video for the song is dedicated to his wife, who he actually met at a bar. It’s a fun loving video follow the couple from meeting in a bar to getting married to growing old together. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful track.
Rapper Mega Ran created a tribute to Jeremy Lin and the Linsanity he’s create in New York and the NBA. Using the beats from A$AP Rocky’s “Celebration”, the rapper chronicles the the perseverance and struggles Jeremy Lin has had making it to the NBA. The chorus sums up Lin’s experience thus far:
From undrafted to talk of the league
From afterthought to all over TV,
I tell you hard work is the key, but uh
This is what can happen when you dream
I’m Jeremy Lin
You can get the single FREE below:
For those following along, the expected matchup tonight is Jeremy Lin vs John Wall. Previously, the two clashed in the summer league in 2010.
Jeremy Lin Rap by Mega Ran
lyrics to Jeremy Lin Rap by Mega Ran
From undrafted to talk of the league
From afterthought to all over TV,
I tell you hard work is the key, but uh
This is what can happen when you dream
I’m Jeremy Lin
6 foot 3, with a 4.2
Grade point average, not vertical
Overlooked by every single team,
But never once did he let it hamper his dream,
First in the gym, last one done
Proving Hard work pays off in the long run
killed em in the previous summer
Dropped a career high when the coach finally called his number
Cut off the roster from Golden State
Knew his time was coming, so he chose to wait
Never know when you gonna get up in the game
But he made his moment count in the biggest of ways,
New York City the worlds Greatest stage,
now 20,000 rabid fans scream his name
Wasnt recruited for his ball skills,
Now you gotta wonder how they all feel,
Didnt quit, he only worked harder
went from Harvard graduate to NBA starter
the haters gonna hate and call him lucky
First ivy leaguer in the league since Chris Dudley
Must be some kinda desire
To make everybody who doubted you out to be a liar…
And even if it only lasts a moment,
Jeremy Lin took it and owned it,
You gotta respect it
From undrafted to talk of the league
From afterthought to all over TV,
I tell you hard work is the key, but uh
This is what can happen when you dream
I’m Jeremy Lin
Nike knew that Jeremy Lin was big when they signed him. Now that he’s blown up in New York, Nike’s early endorsement is paying off. Nike Basketball Pro Training presents Jeremy Lin walking you through his dynamic dribbling workout. Everything from the correct technique for changing direction to using explosiveness to blow by your defender. Here’s his tips: