Recently, the Bistro Awards, helmed by producer-editor Sherry Eaker, published an article entitled Why Is Color Mostly Absent from Cabaret Stages? by Lisa Jo Sagolla. In light of the powerful Black Lives Matter movement, these are words and thoughts that are way overdue. We all need to step forward now to keep the momentum up. Change has to be made—finally.
We are proud to join the Bistro Awards in this effort, and with permission, reprint the introduction to Why Is Color Mostly Absent from Cabaret Stages? To read the full article, go to www.BistroAwards.com
Why Is Color Mostly Absent from Cabaret Stages?
By Lisa Jo Sagolla
On the one hand, the New York cabaret scene is remarkably diverse. It showcases performers brand new to the business, spotlights mature artists of an age rarely featured on stage or screen, and proudly welcomes a rainbow of gender and genre expressions.
On the other hand, cabaret is decidedly monochrome. Cabaret stages and audiences are populated predominantly by white folks. Why is this? What are the ramifications of such racial uniformity? Is anyone doing anything about it? And does the cabaret world present particular challenges to performers of color?
To get some answers, I spoke with four prominent contemporary Black cabaret performers — Natalie Douglas, Aaron Lee Battle, Darius de Haas, and Aisha de Haas. (Darius and Aisha are brother and sister and have separate careers.) I also spoke with cabaret performer Sidney Myer who is the longtime booking manager at Don’t Tell Mama.
Continue on at BistroAwards.com
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