As a Black performing arts educator and actress who has performed many theatre for young audience (TYA) shows, I have taught and shaped the minds of thousands of kids. Inspiring young people by way of performing arts is something I take great pride in—especially as an actress/educator of color who students might not otherwise encounter.
In my experiences in these realms, I have also seen some of the challenges that students of color face in the arts. In predominantly white performing arts spaces, systemic racism can have damaging effects on kids of color and also for teaching artists of color. Inspired by essays like Linda Nochlin’s “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?,” Michelle Wallace’s “Why Are There No Great Black Artists?,” and Janelle Zara’s “Why Have There Been No Great Black Art Dealers,” I have been pondering: Why are there no great kids of color in the performing arts?
Access and Exposure
For all young people (ages four to seventeen), exposure to the arts, and specifically theatre, is invaluable. This begins with having access to it in schools. When I was growing up there were no drama or theatre enrichment programs in elementary schools like there are now. Some options were presented in middle and high school, but not many. My mom had to do copious amounts of research for any professional acting classes I wanted to participate in and she wasn’t always sure where to look. And, as is true for many cultures, finding Black-centered theatre arts programs was a struggle.
It was also a rare occurrence for me to see theatre as a child and, if I did, I never saw performers who looked like me. For kids of color, seeing themselves represented on stage is truly a magical experience. After all, TYA/USA mentions that fifty percent of youth under eighteen in the United States are kids of color, so it’s odd to me that a diverse world onstage wouldn’t be presented to them. I am proud any time I am performing in TYA shows because just my being present onstage allows all kids to see diversity.
A few years ago, I made history in my city of Denver, Colorado, playing the title character in Sleeping Beauty. The number of kids whose worldview I was able to expand was indescribable. Not only did all kids have access to this show—specifically made with them in mind as the audience—but this version also provided many important learning opportunities. They got to see a Black princess, and the show reflected reality where different races and shades can make up a family. Experiences like interracial relationships and adoption (my prince and my parents were white) were normalized. With other major events occurring during the time, like the movie Black Panther and the royal wedding between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, this was a defining moment for affirmation and representation for kids of color.
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Thank you for this important article...and all your beautiful work, Ilasiea!
Thank you, Jeannene!!