Color Magazine Online

Company One's AFTER THE QUAKE, now playing at the Boston Center for the Arts, brings the words of famed Japanese author Haruki Murakami to life. The production also showcases members of Boston's Asian acting community, a faction which, like many ethnic minorities, remains grossly underrepresented in the arts.

Seeing Asian or Asian-American actors on stage in Boston is a relatively rare occurrence in part because the opportunities here are not exactly numerous. "I haven't been active in the Boston Theater scene for too long," says AFTER THE QUAKE cast member, Giselle Ty, "but I can't even name an Asian play that was done in the last few years. The A.R.T. did SNOW IN JUNE in 2003. And the Huntington did 36 VIEWS in 2005. Have there been others?"

And that, according to Ty and others in the cast - which is comprised entirely of Boston-based Asian-American actors - is one part of the problem. Actors of Asian descent are still mainly typecast in stages and on film, significantly limitin opportunity for work of any kind and, even more so for satisfying roles. Cast member Martin Lee explains, "Although there's been a lot of progress recently, the few roles that are specifically written for Asians are normally, at least in the male context, a supporting character that reverts to the traditional stereotype: either nerdy, quiet and non-threatening or the opposite extreme: a.k.a., the kung-fu master. Not
many roles reflect the reality of the contemporary Asian-American."

When those roles do come along, it is most likely as part of an "Asian" show, a piece written specifically for Asian actors, usually by an Asian playwright. "People aren't as ready to see minorities as leads," Ty asserts, "or as characters in Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller." Ty thinks the key is in cultivating more playwrights like Charles Mee and Sarah Ruhl who, she points out,  intentionally write characters that can be played by actors of any race or physical ability.

In producing AFTER THE QUAKE, Company One, regularly cited for its contribution to diversifying stages and audiences in Boston, is highlighting work by a major Asian writer while working with an all-Asian-American cast. "This show is, first, about producing a beautiful piece of theatre that has a compelling story and striking imagery," says Company One Artistic Director and AFTER THE QUAKE director, Shawn LaCount. "But it is also about providing opportunity to Asian-American actors who, in Boston, unfortunately don't get that many chances to work on the professional stage. For Company One, diversity is part of our mission, but I think we all have further to go in ending the artistic segregation that is definitely out there."

The responsibility of working to increase artistic opportunities for Asian-American actors is one which, according to AFTER THE QUAKE cast members, falls to everyone, including members of the Asian-American artistic community. "I believe the best way to address these challenges is to have more Asian-Americans involved in the creation of stories," says Lee, citing M. BUTTERFLY playwright David Henry-Hwang as an example. "The more Asian-American artists write, produce, direct and act, the more progress will be made."

Fellow cast member Chen Tang agrees. "I may or may not be able to control others," Tang says, "but the only thing that I can control is my own perspective."

While Tang and other artists up their personal contributions, companies like Company One are working to change the perspectives and assumptions of the theatre-going audience at large. "Company One is definitely at the top of the list of organizations that actively pursue diversity in the plays and casts they choose," Ty points out. "I find it very exciting and am so glad you're here to light the fire in town."

Martin Lee puts it this way, "Boston is well known for its history, traditions, culture and institutions. At the same time, it's a city with innovation, diversity and new ideas. We need a theater company to tell stories that aren't told anywhere else."

AFTER THE QUAKE runs July 17 - August 15 at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre. Tickets are $15 - $38. www.bostontheatrescene.com or www.companyone.org for more information. To arrange press coverage, including interviews with actors, please contact Mason Sand, Director of Public Relations, at 617.230.6753 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .