Representation is the buzzword of the day. But mere presence means nothing if it isn’t accurate and genuine. Authentic representation in storytelling benefits not only members of historically excluded groups like Asian-Americans and trans people but members of every group, including the dominant culture. As of 2019, 69.1 percent of all film roles were white. How do we achieve a greater variety of stories, roles, and jobs in theatre, movies, and television? How do we ensure these stories and parts are written “authentically”? How do we get producers to greenlight projects?
Interstate, a new musical by Kit Yan and Melissa Li, follows two Asian-American artists (one a lesbian and one a trans man) as they embark on a U.S. tour with their band Queer Malady. Meanwhile, trans teen Henry discovers QM’s music and finds his story in theirs. Kit & Melissa join host Ruthie Fierberg and experts Sheena Brevig of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers and AC Dumlao of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund for this discussion about the importance and impact of authentic representation and how we can push for parity.
Hear songs from INTERSTATE here.
Create the change
Referred to in this episode
About Our Guests:
Ruthie Fierberg, Host
IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater
Melissa Li
www.melissali.com/ @melsaboo
Kit Yan
www.kityanpoet.com/ @kityanpoet
Sheena Brevig
@sheenamidori / CSS IG @scholarsandstorytellers
AC Dumlao
IG: @mx.acdumlao/ T: @mxacdumlao
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why We Theater Now: April 2022
ADDRESSLESS meets Choose-Your-Own Activity
ADDRESSLESS and Homelessness
DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA meets The Prophet
DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA and Expanding Our Thinking to Solve Problems
Re-Release: IF I FORGET and American Jews, Anti-Semitism, and Tribalism
THE COLOR PURPLE meets Prayer for the French Republic
THE COLOR PURPLE and Generational Trauma
SANCTUARY CITY Meets The Sun Is Also A Star
SANCTUARY CITY and U.S. Immigration Reform
Why We Theater NOW: January 2022
THE KILLING OF KINGS meets The Prison Within
BONUS: THE KILLING OF KINGS continued with Esther Matthews
THE KILLING OF KINGS and the Transition of Incarcerated Persons From Prison
INTERSTATE Meets Multiple Recommendations
Why We Theater NOW: November 2021
RINSE, REPEAT meets Brave Girl Eating
RINSE, REPEAT and Eating Disorders
WITNESS UGANDA meets The Good Doctor
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast
Harlem Is Everywhere
The Art Angle
The Count of Monte Cristo
Just So Stories
The Week in Art
Previously Unknown