ABSTRACT
As the American theater works to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives, in addition to producing playwrights of color, an important technique is casting actors of color in roles that were originally written for White actors. Since plays are culturally specific the presence of Black and Brown bodies raises complex questions that actors, directors, and designers must successfully address—most importantly, how does race impact our understanding of character and relationship in the world of the play? In this essay, Emeka uses his experience as a professional director, actor, and educator to discuss ways for theater artists to effectively address race in the creative process of staging. Some issues addressed include: articulating what the play is about from a Black or Brown perspective; the importance of finding cultural references through history and imagination; the use of archetypes as opposed to stereotypes; and how to manage discussions and anxieties that come from addressing race in a context it was not originally intended.
