That's some of what will be addressed at tonight's Melting Pot Mixer at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, which includes a panel discussion, a talent mixer for actors of all ethnicities and a reading of the play Nothing But Skin, the story of a well-to-do African-American family on a less-than-serene summer vacation, by local playwright Josh Hartwell. The event was created after some discussion between director donnie betts and Fox producer Charles Packard, a talk that was compounded by the fact that the theater's coming season will include The Color Purple. "We started to wonder: Where are we going to find enough black actors to do that?" notes Fox spokeswoman Patricia Wells. "We're not the only company with this problem, even though there's a great ethnic richness in this area. To do Joy Luck, you need an Asian cast, but how do you get good Asian actors if Asians are not given enough of a chance to practice their craft on stage"
A panel discussion on diversity gets things rolling at 5 p.m., followed by the mixer at 6 p.m., featuring a slew of Denver-area directors and producers; the reading starts at 7 p.m. The panel and mixer are free, but the reading is $5 (mixer attendees and Fox season-ticket holders will be admitted free); no reservations are needed. The Aurora Fox is at 9900 East Colfax Avenue; get details at www.aurorafoxartscenter.org or call 303-739-1970.
Mon., May 21, 5 p.m., 2012
