THEATRE AND RACE. . .

Race, in terms of theatre, is such an interesting discussion because race is just a societal convention, right? It is a physical attribute that we have given a name to based on a first look, but, really, when you look at someone first glance, can you really tell what their ethnicity is? With casting, those producing theatre are just looking for what looks right. If I look at you and see a black person, I can cast you as a black person, whether you are black or not. The same goes with Caucasians with tan skin. Give them an accent and they can play a Hispanic; but, is that okay? Should we got out of our way to make sure that the person's specific ethnic background matches the profile of the character? 
This question makes me think of, once again, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. I learned a lot through that experience about how the color and shade of one's skin can affect casting. The director confided in me before putting up the cast list that he felt a sophomore was the best choice for Walter Lee, but that he was concerned about his image. He was mix-raced and very light-skinned, but was the best actor. He didn't know if it was appropriate to use him in a play about the struggle of the black man in that period. Perhaps, he should cast someone darker and cast this guy as George, the uppity, snooty, rich, black guy (another stereotype is that light-skinned black people feel superior to those darker than them). I told him to go with the best actor and though it was a bit non-conventional, I think be did a solid job. I actually don't think it was his skin color that held him back as much as his age and the fact that he had not grown up with any of his black family. He only knew his white side so he actually didn't have the experience or culture that comes with that. 
In that same production, the guy cast as Asagai, the African student, decided it was a good idea for him to put dark make-up on his skin. He also didn't feel dark enough! It started out okay, but by opening night, it was straight up black face! Very jarring and kind of scary. The audience was btk pleased. They felt it was a perpetuation of a stereotype. Not all Africans are dark-skinned!!!
This topic is worth more thought and discussion because it takes that, ya know? It's not something we are all aware we are being affected by, but it is worth taking the time to stop and think about it.