Equity and Equality on Broadway — Page 3

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.

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

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 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.

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?

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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

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

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 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!

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.

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 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?