The popular Broadway musical Hamilton, which usually garners nothing but praise, is actually receiving some backlash for its alleged hiring practice of “non-white” actors; such practices are illegal in New York City.
As CBSNewYork noted, the musical that celebrates the diversity of America’s roots is accused of being discriminatory against Caucasians per a casting call on its website seeking ‘non-white’ performers.
Civil rights attorney Randolph McLaughlin said that the language of the audition call violates the New York City Human Rights Law.
“As an artistic question – sure, he can cast whomever he wants to cast, but he has to give every actor eligible for the role an opportunity to try,” McLaughlin explained.
Moreover, asking for actors in their “20s and 30s” could also be problematic as it is being called ageist.
Equity spokesperson Maria Somma said that “The Hamilton call on their website is inconsistent with Equity's policy."
The equity guidelines state that job applicants should be considered “without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or political persuasion or belief.”
As we reported, Hamilton is scheduled to begin a national tour in 2017 starting in San Francisco.