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After the highly publicized casting of Tilda Swinton and Scarlett Johansson in movie roles that were originally written as Asian characters, Asian-American actors and artists in theater took to Twitter last weekend to share stories about the challenges they face as Asian Americans in theater. Using the hashtag #MyYellowFaceStory, many revealed issues of representation and employment equity.

“I think the general public is unaware how few opportunities are open to minority actors,” Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang told NBC News. “Sharing these stories may help folks understand why it's so damaging when the few Asian roles that do exist end up going to white actors, two of the most publicized recent examples being Tilda Swinton and Scarlett Johansson. Moreover, since actors of color are routinely excluded from even auditioning for many roles, how can anyone believe that the white actors hired were truly the best men or women for those jobs?”

Just checked out the #MyYellowFaceStory tag and it's heart breaking, but I'm glad these stories are being shared. — Jon Tsuei (@jontsuei) April 30, 2016

Asian American actors are telling it like it is (and it ain't pretty) with #MyYellowFaceStory. — Greg Pak (@gregpak) April 30, 2016

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Some Asian-American actors shared stories about not being considered for roles because of their Asian ancestry.

That time I was told I couldn't be seen for My Fair Lady because I was Asian. And I already won my Tony. #MyYellowFaceStory — Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) April 29, 2016

When someone told me to tone down my makeup because I looked "too Asian" to be playing Morticia in The Addams Family #MyYellowFaceStory — Daniela Santiago (@whatrabbithole) April 29, 2016

At the same time, the practice of casting white actors to play Asian roles, often with additional makeup, known as yellowface, is prevalent. The practice of white actors playing African-American roles in blackface is no longer considered acceptable.

That time everyone in Madame Butterfly had "geisha makeup base" on except for me and my mom. #MyYellowFaceStory pic.twitter.com/hzCzsVYGez — Lynn Chen (@MsLynnChen) April 30, 2016

When yellowface is okay but blackface is racist. #MyYellowFaceStory — JenOlaya (@JensenOlaya) April 29, 2016

Other Asian-American actors shared stories about not looking Asian enough to play Asian characters.

That time a casting director said my eyes are too big. "With the name Chua, people will expect more Asian looking eyes." #myyellowfacestory — Melinda Chua (@Melinda_Chua) April 30, 2016

That time when my Agent called for feedback and they said 'She is a GREAT singer, but she is too fat for an Asian' #MyYellowFaceStory — Erin Quill (@Equill) April 30, 2016

The use of vague Asian accents, especially when one is not necessary or accurate, were a point of contention.

that time I was told my Indian accent didn't sound as real as Hank Azaria's #MyYellowFaceStory pic.twitter.com/MJHTblj1iQ — anjili (@anjili) April 27, 2016

#MyYellowFaceStory being asked to teach an "authentic" Japanese accent to a white actress playing Lady Nijo in Top Girls. — Leah Nanako Winkler (@leahnanako) April 27, 2016

Asian Americans in theater often face stereotyped assumptions of what is Asian and that all Asian people, cultures, and languages are alike.

That time the sound designer for my first play asked, "So what are we gonna use? Chink-y music?" #MyYellowFaceStory https://t.co/3Kvj5XXyKV — David Hwang (@DavidHenryHwang) April 29, 2016

From that same prod of K&I hearing director tell a designer to use styles from other Asian cultures as well. #myyellowfacestory #allthesame — Orville Mendoza (@OviActor) April 20, 2016

That time a casting director told me to try a "Chinese-y" accent. #myyellowfacestory — David Huynh (@dhuynh337) April 27, 2016

Asian-American playwrights spoke about the frustration of creating more roles for Asian and Asian-American actors, but then not being able to get those characters cast with Asian and Asian-American actors.

In grad school I was told if I was uncomfortable with white actors in Asian roles I shouldn't have written Asian roles #MyYellowfaceStory — A. Rey Pamatmat (@AReyP) April 27, 2016

A theatre picked my ethnically non-specific play over my specific one

‘cause “We don’t have time to find those actors” #MyYellowFaceStory — Jeffrey Lo (@TheyCallMeJLo) April 29, 2016

That time an MFA classmate said "we're not racist, you're just not talented."#myyellowfacestoryhttps://t.co/UrgQq5zx6h — Ariel Estrada (@arielestrada) April 27, 2016

Latino and Latina actors in theatre also joined the conversation with #MyBrownFaceStory.

@ProjectAmIRight -was the only PR called back for a PR role. Director said I read great. Cast a yt friend of director. #mybrownfacestory — PRactor (@rvilaroger) April 19, 2016

.@ProjectAmIRight my friend played Tony in WSS to a white Maria. She didn't audition but was considered BEST bc she played the part before — Luis Eduardo Mora (@LuisEMora89) April 19, 2016

In one word, Actor BD Wong summed up the issues of both representation of Asian characters and employment equity for Asian-American actors with a photograph of British actor Johnathan Pryce, who played “The Engineer” in the original cast of “Miss Saigon,” recalling the nationwide protests by Asian-American actors, artists, and activists in 1990 when Pryce was brought to America to reprise the role on Broadway without any consideration of Asian-American actors. "Uncooooomfortable," he wrote in the caption of the photo.

A group of four arts organizations — the Asian American Arts Alliance, the Asian American Performers Coalition (AAPAC), the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts in association withthe Fordham University Theatre Program — will sponsor “Beyond Orientalism: The Forum” tonight at Fordham University in New York City. This forum will launch a national initiative to address the negative effects of yellowface and brownface and to advocate for diverse representation of Asian Americans and other characters of color in theatre.

TONIGHT: Beyond Orientalism: The Forum. RSVP and help us address yellow/brownface in theatre https://t.co/R4gZfV5Pzw pic.twitter.com/RZngau8toV — Asian American Arts (@aaartsalliance) May 2, 2016

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