BPN Logo
BPN Logo
INTERSTATE and Authentic Trans, Queer, and Asian-American Representation

Representation is the buzzword of the day. But mere presence means nothing if it isn’t accurate and genuine. Authentic representation in storytelling benefits not only members of historically excluded groups like Asian-Americans and trans people but members of every group, including the dominant culture... Read More

1 h 9 mins
12/2/21

About

Representation is the buzzword of the day. But mere presence means nothing if it isn’t accurate and genuine. Authentic representation in storytelling benefits not only members of historically excluded groups like Asian-Americans and trans people but members of every group, including the dominant culture. As of 2019, 69.1 percent of all film roles were white. How do we achieve a greater variety of stories, roles, and jobs in theatre, movies, and television? How do we ensure these stories and parts are written “authentically”? How do we get producers to greenlight projects?

Interstate, a new musical by Kit Yan and Melissa Li, follows two Asian-American artists (one a lesbian and one a trans man) as they embark on a U.S. tour with their band Queer Malady. Meanwhile, trans teen Henry discovers QM’s music and finds his story in theirs. Kit & Melissa join host Ruthie Fierberg and experts Sheena Brevig of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers and AC Dumlao of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund for this discussion about the importance and impact of authentic representation and how we can push for parity.

Hear songs from INTERSTATE here.

Create the change

Referred to in this episode

About Our Guests:

Ruthie Fierberg, Host

IG: @whywetheater / T: @whywetheater

Melissa Li

www.melissali.com/ @melsaboo

Kit Yan

www.kityanpoet.com/ @kityanpoet

Sheena Brevig

@sheenamidori / CSS IG @scholarsandstorytellers

AC Dumlao

IG: @mx.acdumlao/ T: @mxacdumlao

© Broadway Podcast Network, All Rights Reserved