(Almost) All White "In the Heights"?

How do you feel about about a predominately white high school performing In the Heights? I know LMM has spoken out and said he's okay with it as long as White performers aren't given roles over Hispanic performers. That being said, it is still kind of baffling to me that schools would choose this show. An all white school wouldn't pick Hairspray or Ragtime and have the African- American characters played by White people. So why is it okay to have Hispanic roles played by white actors? Do you think white schools should perform ITH? I'm genuinely interested in everybody's opinion!

My personal opinion is that it absolutely is not okay. With that said, though, I also respect what the author says as I feel they deservedly claim ownership of the piece. So if LMM says it's fine to perform the show without Hispanic actors, while I certainly disagree with that, at the end of the day who am I to argue with the person who created those characters and therefore can do what they please with them.

Sutton Ross said: "He has stated he's okay with it for educational purposes only, meaning high schools. Sometimes, the school district wants something modern over the same old musicals they've been doing for decades, and in some of those school districts the kids are mostly white. It is what it is. He gets paid, he's made things clear, so I don't see the harm in it as long white people are never chosen over BIPOC for the roles."

The fact that he's ok with it wouldn't take away from the embarrassing experience everyone involved in such production would have, including setting up an awful example.

Should white casts in high school do The Scottsboro Boys next because they are allowed?

With all due respect to Lin Manuel Miranda, it thoroughly violates ethical casting code and only feeds into the violent practice of white washing. White non-Latinx actors should not be playing Latinx characters. It's really simple.

santeFEEE said: "Right! Theres a school in my area. Its a white area with a well known high school theatre program. They have announced their show for next year (ITH) and tbh as an adult who loves seeing high school shows to support the youth I was dissapointed. I dont want them to think its okay to white wash a culture."



The cast has been announced? You know that all the actors are white? And when you state "I dont want them to think its okay to white wash a culture," what is your intent? What do you plan to do?

Sutton Ross said: "They've done productions of this for years in high schools, and no one seems to beembarrassed.

Well, they should. It's racist and inappropriate. Considering the immense catalogue representing the history of white culture, they have no business performing a show depicting the struggles and idiosyncrasies of non-white immigrants and their environment.

Sutton Ross said: "Take it up with Lin Manuel Miranda, he gave them permission."

As I said, permission doesn't make this right. I'm glad someone like Shaiman rectified this error. People like you sure don't help with these issues.

Theatre licensing should not impose diversity casting requirements on drama teachers or casting directors, IMO, because casting should not be about gender, ethnicity, or race, but about talent.

High Schools, even schools in non-diverse areas, should have the freedom to stage any show that they want to, have the budget for, and have received approval from the appropriate administrators for, period

It's all well and good for certain shows to have been written with diverse casting in mind, but trying to impose and/or enforce such intent for every single performance of said shows ever is both unrealistic and overly restrictive.

Updated On: 7/7/20 at 07:02 PM

blaxx said: "Ok Karen."



You are funny, blaxx !!

Updated On: 7/7/20 at 07:24 PM

Absolutely agree, 100%.

beatofthedrum27 said: "I also read that LMM said he’s fine with it because it could educate white teens on Hispanic culture which is great. I don’t think it’s a bad idea with the right people at the head of it because Latin culture is pretty under discussed. "

Read it where?

The idea of having to play a character from a specific background to learn from that culture is racist and unacceptable. Even if the creator gives you a pass, it is wrong - he doesn't own tje use of the culture.

This is for the same reason that black or yellow face is wrong, pernission wouldn't make it right, would it?

It seems that since LMM the Hispanic legacy is the latest fad that all white folks think it's cool to appropriate.