The East West Players - IXNAY
THE EAST WEST PLAYERS

The East West Players have sent an letter to Paramount Picture to voice their concern over the white-washing of the cast of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The letter is in pdf format and can be read from here.

But who are the East West Players? Many of them lent their voice acting talent to The Last Airbender animated series, in a variety of guest roles. Two members were full-time voices on the show:

-- Dante Basco - who voiced Prince Zuko (now cast as Dev Patel in the movie)
-- the late Makoto "Mako" Iwamatsu - who voiced Uncle Iroh to Prince Zuko

Mako was a determined long-time activist and voice for Asian American actors when they had have no voice in Hollywood. He was one of the founding members of the East West Players, and was determined to ensure that Asian American actors and filmmakers received rights, representation and recognition in the film industry. He fought discrimination and stereotype in film all of his life.

What would he have thought about The Last Airbender casting of the main characters? It's an unhappy thing to wonder.

Anyway.

The East West Players is an Asian American theater troupe based in Los Angeles, created to fight the discrimination minority actors face while working in Hollywood and increase opportunities for Asian American artistic talent. EWP's latest play, IXNAY stars Avatar's own Dante Basco! IXNAY is directed by Tim Dang (voice of Yon Rha, "The Southern Raiders") and currently playing in the David Henry Hwang Theater in Los Angeles through March 15th.

So if you live in southern California and are in the mood to see a play, please go check it out! And do tell me what you think. It sounds so cool. ♥!