Equity and Equality on Broadway- Page 3

[kdogg36]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 11:30am

Just a reminder: Seb entered this conversation (on the "MHE Reviews" thread) by declaring, I think in the very first sentence, that anyone who disagreed with his position was a racist. They have no interest in civil argument or good-faith discussion.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 12:10pm

I hesitate to contribute further given the tenor this conversation has at times, but here is one personal observation.

I'm a middle-aged, white, gay male corporate exec.  To the best of my knowledge none of my demographic identity elements have ever outright disqualified me from an opportunity in which I had interest.  And in general, if I did not get the job, client, or some other opportunity I pursued, ample alternatives were typically available to me. 

This obviously has not been the case for people of other demographics in many industries and professions.  The current status of these affairs can be debated, but to do so in any meaningful way probably requires looking at objective data specific to positions and professions, geography, individual identity elements, et al.

This disparity is why my default is to have empathy and sensitivity for people's lived experiences that do not mirror mine, particularly people who are demographically different.  Given the limited opportunities many of them still encounter, it is unsurprising to me that some of them feel like a weighted question on an exam: its impact is far more significant and losing it may come at a much higher cost.

I can say that in our Fortune 100 firm, initial review of new hire and promotion applications is done with names and all demographic data stripped out.  This action affirms our commitment to equity and equality in building a diverse qualified pool of possible hires. 

It has done so far better than when that information was included.  It is similar in spirit to orchestral auditions when the performer is heard from behind a screen, something Malcolm Gladwell has written about.

 

 

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 12:44pm

kdogg36 said: "Just a reminder: Seb entered this conversation (on the "MHE Reviews" thread) by declaring, I think in thevery first sentence, that anyone who disagreed with his position was a racist. Theyhaveno interest in civil argumentor good-faith discussion."

And I have explained exactly why in great detail.

Racism is racism, regardless of the perpetrator's skin color.

The question is, is the racism intentional or accidental? Most replies point towards the first option. There is always the slight possibility that it is unintentional but it is important to understand that good intentions can be evil too.

SteveSanders said: "I'm a middle-aged, white male. To the best of my knowledge none of my demographic identity elements have ever outright disqualified me from an opportunity in which I had interest. "

Try auditioning for Broadway sometime in this new era with the rest of your demographic group. Perhaps you will understand it better then. And this isn't even the point I complain about, it is the unjustified attacks on the last white person standing.

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 12:44 PM

[kdogg36]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 5:28pm

Yes, I've noticed how hard it's always been for white gay males to make it on Broadway.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 5:37pm

Seb28 said: "kdogg36 said: "Just a reminder: Seb entered this conversation (on the "MHE Reviews" thread) by declaring, I think in thevery first sentence, that anyone who disagreed with his position was a racist. Theyhaveno interest in civil argumentor good-faith discussion."

And I have explained exactly why in great detail.

Racism is racism, regardless of the perpetrator's skin color.

The question is, is the racism intentional or accidental? Most replies point towards the first option. There is always theslight possibility that it is unintentional but it is important to understand that good intentions can be evil too.

SteveSanders said: "I'm a middle-aged, white male. To the best of my knowledge none of my demographic identity elements have ever outright disqualified me from an opportunity in which I had interest."

Try auditioning for Broadway sometime in this new era with the rest of your demographic group. Perhaps you will understand it better then. And this isn't even the point I complain about, it is the unjustified attacks on the last white person standing."

You claim to be Asian, and yet you are here crying that whites are a minority on Broadway (provably untrue).

Got it. 

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 5:47pm

Seb28 said: "Try auditioning for Broadway sometime in this new era with the rest of your demographic group. Perhaps you will understand it better then. And this isn't even the point I complain about, it is the unjustified attacks on the last white person standing."

I don't need an admonishment from you of all people as to what I need to try and understand.   I deal with the complexities of these issues every day in my professional role.

I shared a bit of my own story to provide context, not to suggest it was universal for anyone of any race or ethnicity.  I think my writing made that clear.

But thanks for confirming I'll unlikely find it a good use of time to try and engage with you thoughtfully and honestly, at least in this forum.  I shall not try again.

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 05:47 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 5:52pm

kdogg36 said: "Yes, I've noticed how hard it's always been for white gay males to make it on Broadway."

There are plenty of white gay males who haven’t made it on Broadway but who want to. There are more of them than there are Asian gay males who want to. 

I would put money on it being harder for any given white gay male to make it on Broadway than it is for any given Asian gay male. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:01pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "kdogg36 said: "Yes, I've noticed how hard it's always been for white gay males to make it on Broadway."

There are plenty of white gay males who haven’t made it on Broadway but who want to. There are more of them than there are Asian gay males who want to.

I would put money on it being harder for any given white gay male to make it on Broadway than it is for any given Asian gay male."

At this point, you are just hurling balls of sh*t against the wall to see if you can make anything stick. Just what, pray tell, is your source that gay Asians get more Broadway jobs than gay whites? This is so utterly stupid on your part that I think I lost 500 brain cells while typing these words. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:04pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I would put money on it being harder for any given white gay male to make it on Broadway than it is for any given Asian gay male."

-- He says based on Vibes and nothing related to actual casting or makeup of Broadway Casts.--

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:13pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "I would put money on it being harder for any given white gay male to make it on Broadway than it is for any given Asian gay male."

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

He's truly surpassed himself this time. 

Broadway is in any way hard for...white gay men?

Broadway? The one in New York City? Where plays and musicals are performed? That Broadway is hard for...white gay men?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:14pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "There are plenty of white gay males who haven’t made it on Broadway but who want to. There are more of them than there are Asian gay males who want to.

I would put money on it being harder for any given white gay male to make it on Broadway than it is for any given Asian gay male."

I have no idea what the objective data might reveal about how many white gay males versus Asian gay males want to make it on Broadway.

I think more relevant concern for this thread's topic would be comparing the number of overall opportunities available to each group to "make it on Broadway" and the amount of bias or systemic barriers they (may) face in doing so.

 

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 06:14 PM

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:18pm

TheatreFan4 said: "-- He says based on Vibes and nothing related to actual casting or makeup of Broadway Casts.--"

The percentages of the actual cast lists speak for themselves. As we have shown and discussed before. Asians are overrepresented and whites are underrepresented, compared to both the country's population as well as New York state's population. The percentages of blacks are even more skewed. Also, there are very few cast lists where whites are not in the minority.

So, do you celebrate this or do you continue to attack the remaining whites?

Matt Rogers said: "You claim to be Asian, and yet you are here crying that whites....."

In any case, your posts show that you think that Asian people are inferior. Like I explained in my previous post. That we somehow need your help. That a 90% asian cast instead of a 100% asian cast would somehow "not be good enough" for us. Let me tell you this, we are not victims. We are perfectly overrepresented in work opportunities on Broadway. The Asian people with good intentions just don't want to stab white people in the back by engaging in this racist act, like the mob with bad intentions does in the MHE situation. Equity should always be a two-way street.

 

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 06:18 PM

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:33pm

MemorableUserName said: "Broadway is in any way hard for...white gay men?

Broadway? The one in New York City? Where plays and musicals are performed? That Broadway is hard for...white gay men?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Welcome to the new era.

How many white gay males are there in the 90% asian cast of MHE?

How many white gay males are there in Hamilton?

How many white gay men are there in all the other productions with a poc majority?

If there would be true equality, there would be much more white gay men on broadway and much less poc gay men than there are now. So what is it you want?

You should be grateful that most people don't complain about it. Celebrate a show like MHE because it is 90% asian instead of attacking it.

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:47pm

SteveSanders said: "I think more relevant concern for this thread's topic would be comparing the number of overall opportunities available to each group to "make it on Broadway" and the amount of bias or systemic barriers they (may) face in doing so."

I have spoken to casting directors who admit that their databases reflect the population demographics more than what we see on stage and on tv/film. It is deliberately casting on race, for roles where race does not matter. Because of the pressure they feel. Which translates to sidelining whites. Which is racist.

The big question is what the end goal is.

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 06:47 PM

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:50pm

There are more unemployed gay white male actors in New York than there are unemployed Asian male actors of any persuasion in New York. We all know this. 

It is therefore harder for the individual gay white male to get a job on Broadway than it is for the individual Asian male of any persuasion.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 7:12pm

Seb28 said: "TheatreFan4 said: "-- He says based on Vibes and nothing related to actual casting or makeup of Broadway Casts.--"

The percentages of the actual cast lists speak for themselves. As we have shown and discussed before. Asians are overrepresented and whites are underrepresented, compared to both the country's population as well as New York state's population. The percentages of blacks are even more skewed. Also, there are very few cast lists where whites are not in the minority.

So, do you celebrate this or do you continue to attack the remaining whites?

Matt Rogers said: "You claim to be Asian, and yet you are here crying that whites....."

In any case, your posts show that you think that Asian people are inferior. Like I explained in my previous post. That we somehow need your help. That a 90% asian cast instead of a 100% asian cast would somehow "not be good enough" for us. Let me tell you this, we are not victims. We are perfectly overrepresented in work opportunities on Broadway. The Asian people with good intentions just don't want to stab white people in the back by engaging in this racist act, like the mob with bad intentions does in the MHE situation. Equity should always be a two-way street.

"

You are such a freaking liar, not to mention the Asian equivalent of an Uncle Tom. Here are some actual stats, babe:

 

In contrast to being underrepresented, white people have historically been, and continue to be, overrepresented on Broadway and in New York City theater in general, though progress has been made in recent years

. Multiple reports from the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) over the last several years have consistently shown this disparity. 

Actor representation

While recent seasons have shown a notable increase in diversity on Broadway, data indicates white actors are still often represented at a higher rate than their population size in New York City.

• 2021–2022 season: A significant milestone was achieved with near-parity between white actors (50.2%) and actors of color (49.8%). However, a closer look at the data shows that this was driven largely by a surge in Black representation, while other groups like Asian, Latinx, and Middle Eastern/North African actors saw decreases in representation compared to previous periods.
• 2017–2018 season: An AAPAC study found that white actors were cast in 61.5% of roles on Broadway and in major Off-Broadway houses. This was nearly double the percentage of the non-Hispanic white population in New York City, which was 32.1% at the time.
• Historical context: For many years, white actors have constituted an overwhelming majority of casts. In the 2016–2017 season, for example, they made up 70% of all roles on and Off-Broadway. A longer-term analysis from AAPAC found that from the 2006–2007 season through the 2015–2016 season, 76% of all roles on NYC stages went to white actors. 

Behind-the-scenes representation

The disproportionate representation of white individuals is even more pronounced in creative and leadership roles behind the scenes.

• Producers and managers: A 2021 study found that 93.6% of producers and 100% of general managers during the 2018–2019 Broadway season were white.
• Directors and writers:
  • In the 2018–2019 season, 93.8% of directors on Broadway were white.
  • For the 2021–2022 season, white writers authored 76.3% of Broadway plays and musicals.
• Artistic leadership: In 2021, reports revealed that 100% of artistic directors at the largest non-profit theaters were white, and 88% of board members were white. 

Audience demographics

Broadway audiences have also been predominantly white, though recent seasons have seen an increase in diversity.

• 2023–2024 season: The Broadway League reported that 28% of attendees identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color).
• 2022–2023 season: This season saw a record high of 29% BIPOC attendees.
• Historical context: Before the pandemic, Broadway audiences were even less diverse. In the 2018–2019 season, two-thirds of attendees were white, even though white people only accounted for 44% of New York City's population. 

Conclusion

Reports from organizations like AAPAC and Actors' Equity, as well as data from the Broadway League, reveal that while Broadway has made strides toward inclusivity, white artists and staff have historically been and remain overrepresented relative to the population of New York City, especially in leadership and creative roles. However, the data also shows growing diversity in both acting roles and audiences in recent seasons.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 7:48pm

Great - now we are using ChatGPT to post on BroadwayWorld.

In any case, any data about white theatre artists and Broadway that is pre-2020 is basically irrelevant to any argument on this subject. Although we may not yet have any available recent studies on this, in 2025, I think that it is pretty safe to say that white people are most definitely not overrepresented on Broadway in terms of actors. This has nothing to do with MHE, but just stating what I think is a pretty obvious fact.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 7:58pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Great - now we are using ChatGPT to post on BroadwayWorld.

In any case, any data about white theatre artists and Broadway that is pre-2020 is basically irrelevant to any argument on this subject. Although we may not yet have any available recent studies on this, in 2025, I think that it is pretty safe to say that white people are most definitely not overrepresented on Broadway in terms of actors. This has nothing to do with MHE, but just stating what I think is a pretty obvious fact."

You’re siding with the two racists? Awesome! 

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 8:13pm

Matt Rogers said: " ChatGPT/theThe Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) says: White people are overrepresented on Broadway and in New York City theater in general, however, the data also shows growing diversity in acting roles in recent seasons.

Actor representation

While recent seasons have shown a notable increase in diversity on Broadway, data indicates white actors are still often represented at a higher rate than their population size in New York City.

• 2021–2022 season:A significant milestone was achieved with near-parity between white actors (50.2%) and actors of color (49.8%). However, a closer look at the data shows that this was driven largely by a surge in Black representation.""

 

This ChatGPT drivel is extremely manipulative and misleading.

First of all, they only compare it to the population in New York City. We all now that many people auditioning for Broadway do not live in the city. New York State and the country itself have completely different outcomes. Actually the complete opposite outcome because when looking at the population of the country AND New York State, white actors are severely underrepresented on Broadway and poc are severely overrepresented on Broadway, so that basically disproves the whole article already.

Calling the parity between whites and poc a milestone exposes their desire for skewed representation. What they actually are saying is that sidelining white actors is a milestone. Very malicious.

These are the actual demographics:

USA:

White 60,5%, Hispanic/Latino 18,9%, Black 12,5%, Asian 5,9%

New York State:

White 65%, Hispanic/Latino 19%, Black 15,9%, Asian 7,3%

New York City:

White: 35%, Hispanic/Latino 20%, Black, 20,1%, Asian 14,5% 

At least they do admit that the black representation is completely out of proportion, so what is the goal there?

It seems like ChatGPT/the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) has a very creative agenda. Or someone is deliberately asking the bot very misleading questions. Because factually, taken the demographics of the country, the state New York and the city into account, less than 1 in 12 roles on Broadway should be played by an Asian. When calculating the number on Broadway now, it is higher than that. So what do they want? This is basically a plea for less asian people on Broadway, disguised as a plea to remove even more white people from Broadway.

It is also worth noting that more than 52% what ChatGPT says is not true.

Updated On: 9/4/25 at 08:13 PM

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 8:23pm

Matt Rogers said: "You’re siding with the two racists? Awesome!"

Correction, you are the racist here. The Distinctive Baritone is siding with the truth.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 8:43pm

So i don't know why I entertained doing this, but I did. I went through and listed of all currently running shows on Broadway and attempting to account for AAPI people performing on Broadway. Now, its obviously not an exact science, I attempted to stay conservative when I would question if they were or weren't AAPI and I would give them. If anything this representation skews on the higher end that actual but I can't run up and ask every person (which is why the actual organization that monitors this takes such a long time to calculate it and is seasons behind). I came out 48 actors our of 617 totaling 7% of cast members as AAPI,  which is the US percentage of AAPI as well (but below NYC's own). The bulk of which came from MHE, Aladdin, and Hamilton (as you would expect) accounting for 27 members. 8 had none, including Wicked with their massive cast of 48. 

So Seb, where exactly do you see over-representation of Asian performers on Broadway? I'd love to hear your research. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 8:58pm

I counted at least 56 of 617, which is 9,08%, which is higher than both the New York state and the USA population demographics. For contrast, the percentages of white actors compared to the population is shockingly behind that. So what do we do now? Celebrate it or keep attacking the last white actor standing, which happens with MHE now?

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 9:00pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "You’re siding with the two racists? Awesome!"

Correction, you are the racist here.The Distinctive Baritone is siding with the truth."

You are absolutely pathetic. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 9:02pm

Matt Rogers said: "Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "You’re siding with the two racists? Awesome!"

Correction, you are the racist here.The Distinctive Baritone is siding with the truth."

You are absolutely pathetic."

Can you type subject-related replies too?

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 9:07pm

Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Seb28 said: "Matt Rogers said: "You’re siding with the two racists? Awesome!"

Correction, you are the racist here.The Distinctive Baritone is siding with the truth."

You are absolutely pathetic."

Can you type subject-related replies too?"

Yeah, here’s a subject related reply, Miss “Moderator”. You are a disgrace if you are actually Asian as you claim, and you want less Asian roles on Broadway.