Non-Traditional Casting: Good or Bad?
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Non-Traditional Casting: Good or Bad?

"Non-traditional casting is, as one could easily assume, a very controversial issue. "

1205
Non-Traditional Casting: Good or Bad?
kaykaybarrie - Flickr

A year before I became a Freshman, my high school performed the musical "Aida." As a Pennsylvanian 8th grader, I didn't question the predominantly white cast performing a musical that focused on the political rivalry between Ancient Egypt and Nubia (modern-day northern Sudan). It wasn't until a couple years later did I learn Nubia was actually inhabited by black people. However, as an eighth grader, I don't think I would have objected to the casting. Now my high school wasn't discriminating against black actors, my high school was just very white. Since they decided to choose a show with characters that had well-established races, they had to resort to "non-traditional casting." In this case, it would have been more accurately called "color-blind casting."

Non-traditional casting is, as one could easily assume, a very controversial issue. The main objection that people have with non-traditional casting is that it isn't "historically accurate." This is what people said when African-American actress, Audra McDonald was cast in the 1994 Broadway production of Carousel. It is true that the role McDonald was playing, Carrie Pepperidge, was intended to be played by a white woman. Additionally, it doesn't quite make sense that, in 1874, a white woman and a black woman would be going to a Maine carnival together; nevertheless, the producers kept McDonald in the role. Ultimately, she went to win a Tony Award for a performance, and no one really got hurt. In the end, it didn't matter that a black woman played the role. Other non-traditional castings that didn't end the world include Ben Vereen and Carl Anderson (two black men) playing Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar" and B.D. Wong (a Chinese American man) playing Linus in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown."

Certain examples of non-traditional casting have resulted in an outcry, though. These tend to be situations in which an actor uses makeup to appear as if they were another race. Examples include Mickey Rooney (a white man wearing yellowface) in the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and two of the Wayan brothers (black men wearing whiteface) in the film "White Chicks." However, this is a much different situation since these examples often center around racial stereotypes and not an actor being cast in a role where race doesn't really matter.

Today, non-traditional casting has become bigger than ever. So big that it has often become a part of the production's essence. Examples include Hairspray where a man appears as a female character, and more famously the musical Hamilton where race is essentially ignored in the casting. The result is often a fantastic quality that makes the show an exciting experience.

Race and gender are rather tense topics in modern day America, and while many people are still hesitant to fully embrace non-traditional casting, I personally believe that color-blind and gender-blind casting can actually fix more problems than they could ever cause. The fact that a young black child can see someone with their skin color as an American founding father is nothing less than wonderful.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56605
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36476
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958332
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188716
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments