There Are No Asian Men In China?- The Nightingale Panel Discussion

A few days ago, several creatives from the La Jolla Playhouse had a panel discussion about the recent casting debacle surrounding their new production of The Nightingale. You can see the whole thing here.

My notes annotating the discussion are below, but before those, I'd like to thank the La Jolla Playhouse for seeking accountability on this issue. There are so many responsible for whitewashed movies and theatre productions alike who think that they are totally justified in what they do, and hardly bother with open discussion regarding the choices that they make. This is a rare thing.

Colourblind Casting Two: You're Doing It Wrong

So lately it has come to my attention that Duncan Sheik, who wrote the angsty coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening, has premiered a new show at the La Jolla Playhouse. The Nightingale is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name, and has also kept the story's original setting of Ancient China.

Well great!