Latinos in the fine arts: Part One

"600 Words by Esther J. Cepeda"

Diversity initiatives usually make my blood run cold. There’s nothing more patronizing than being attractive to someone more because of the color of your skin than because of your talent.

But in some cases it’s just necessary to set aside opportunities for inclusion or else there would never be anyone of color "at the top." And what’s true for the boardrooms of corporate America holds true for its performance stages.

Though there’s no lack of rich artistic traditions – music, dance, literature, visual art – in any given ethnic community, rarely do members of those communities make it onto mainstream stages. And the converse is true: you can practically count the number of black or Hispanic ballerinas or orchestra conductors in America on one hand. Audiences are no different; few white faces at the folkloric dance shows and few brown ones at King Lear.

Of course, how performing arts organizations attempt to mix and match means everything – the difference between a hit and a slight depending on the intended audience and objective.

For instance, bless their hearts, but I just gagged when I saw that Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater – whom I love, love, love – announced they’d be putting on Shakespeare en Espanol – Romeo y Julieta. In Little Village, no less. (At least it won’t be in the dreaded Pilsen neighborhood where most white people assume all Hispanic people live, and where high school kids from the rich suburbs are bussed in weekly to ogle the locals like it’s a zoo.)

I know my reaction is indefensible. There’s no downside – free world-class Shakespearean theater in the native language of a community with little access to such universally high-brow entertainment. The opportunity to open new doors to a whole generation of kids and parents who otherwise wouldn't make their way down to Navy Pier for Bill Shakes.

But though that’s a great example of community outreach, with an eye toward developing future Hispanic audiences, my initial reaction was: "Why isn’t it good enough to go on the real stage? Many of the people in the audience dragged themselves to the U.S. from thousands of miles away and you don’t think they can get themselves to Navy Pier?! And if you really want to diversify why don’t you find some great Latino leads for the regular production?"

The flip-side of that coin is, to me, brilliant! Less a "Latino outreach" activity and yet more authentic. According to the New York Times, in February Arthur Laurents, the original author of the famed musical, will be staging a "bilingual" revival of my very favorite musical "West Side Story" on Broadway. It promises to be grittier, more urban and more authentic.

I've always loved "West Side Story," seen it performed by high school students and professional touring companies alike. Stop me on the street or even call me on the phone and I can sing any of the songs – at full volume – for you.

But I hate watching the movie, with its close-ups of obviously white but creepily orange-colored stars who are as Latino as Margaret Thatcher and dance with as much sabor as Andy Griffith. It’s an insult. But, really, where were the producers of that movie going to find properly trained Latino stars in that time? At least the story humanized Latinos at a time they weren't on anyone's radar, and on stage the actors are far enough away you can suspend disbelief.

No, the whole performance won’t be in Spanish – and the Jerome Robbins choreography will remain untouched! – it’ll be spoken only in selected passages where the characters would naturally speak in Spanish.

And very best of all Mr. Laurents said he intends on casting Hispanic actors in the roles of the Puerto Rican Sharks and in the role of Maria! Hallelujah!!!!!!

"I’m not about to go slap some dark makeup on her," Mr. Laurents said. "I think it’s important to have a Latina in the role for a very simple reason — I think they know what it feels like to be an outsider. If they’ve got Puerto Rican blood, they know what prejudice is. If they’ve got any kind of Hispanic blood, they know what prejudice is."

%%%  Tomorrow, Part Two: a spotlight on one Chicago company diversifying on stage for their core audience. But I’ve got to go for now, Broadway auditions will be announced soon and I have to go sharpen my rendition of "Tonight"…

Esther J. Cepeda writes the "600 Words" & "Pregunta del Dia" columns, and is also the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Her views and reporting do not necessarily reflect those of ISAC. "600 words" is a registered trademark of EeJayCee, Inc., Copyright 2008. May be reprinted with permission, contacteejaycee@600words.com

Comments

[Diana Pando]

Really enjoyed this post. I think you bring up some good points. Thank you! Here is my take on it coming from the point of view a former managing director of a Latino theatre company. I think with budget cuts in the arts Latinos need to have access to it regardless of whether it's downtown or in the hood. The stage at the high school is a state of the art theatre and maybe a good stepping stone to cultivate that next generation of Latinos in the arts and audience. I would have like to see Chicago Shakes co-partner on this particular production with Teatro Vista or Teatro Luna since
both artistic directors for Teatro Luna and Teatro Vista are in it. En fin, we still have a long way to go but hopefully you will come out and check out the show and support some amazing actors. abrazotes, Diana

[tselone]

i look forward to seeing this play...we need to see mo plays and performances...build the arts...

[Jennifer Harris]

I'm glad you're writing about this issue. So many white-dominated arts orgs are talking about audience diversity these days, but only some have figured out how to do it without annoying or accidentally insulting the intended beneficiaries. Talking to actual Latino people or African-American people about performing, programming and marketing seems like a good way to start. Making an effort to organically diversify the color on the stage is another good notion, as you suggest.