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QUILLS & QUEUES Asian American actor to tell of experiences Ishii: Asian Americans under-represented in entertainment Comment By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Leslie Ishii, a stage director and actress who has appeared on television shows including "Lost" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," said Asian Americans are tied with Native Americans in being underrepresented in the theater industry. "We're pretty grossly under-represented," she said. Asian American actors often only get roles if a director is willing to cross-cast and put an Asian American in a role typically seen as white. Asian Americans are also sometimes pushed aside even for roles written to match their ethnicity, Ishii said. "We've had many cases of 'yellow face' when parts were given to whites," said Ishii, who is Japanese American. But she said the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and its artistic director, Bill Rauch, are recognizing the industry-wide issue and taking steps to push for change. "I see him as a real leader in equity and diversity," Ishii said. OSF will host the Fifth National Asian American Theater Conference & Festival from Oct. 1-8 this year. Rauch and Los Angeles-based East West Players Asian American Theatre Artistic Director Tim Dang are also serving together as grand marshals for the Chinese New Year Parade in Jacksonville at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The parade is part of a full day of events and activities celebrating Chinese history and culture. Dang and Ishii will lead a conversation about their careers, Asian Americans in the entertainment industry and the October national conference at OSF at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Jacksonville's Old City Hall at the corner of Main and Oregon Streets. "We'll talk about how important it is that we see ourselves on TV and on stage," Ishii said. When it comes to television, Asian and Pacific Islander actors saw an increase in representation from 2 percent in 2005 to 6 percent in 2015, according to an annual report put out by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which tracks television representation of various groups, including racial minorities. The uptick was due in part to ABC airing two Asian American sitcoms — "Fresh Off the Boat" about a Chinese immigrant family, and "Dr. Ken," starring Korean American comedic actor and former physician Ken Jeong, according to the report. The report dinged "Grey's Anatomy" for severe under-representation of Asian American doctors since one of six doctors in America is of Asian descent. The report also faulted "Hawaii Five-O" for under-representing Asian/Pacific Islanders, who make up 60 percent of the state's population. Ishii said theater companies can take steps to improve their representation of Asian Americans at every step, from playwrights to directors to actors. "Maybe they don't know as many Asian folks. We encourage people to reach out into the Asian American community, find connections, make relationships and know who the actors are," she said. "There's no doubt they will find the talent. If you ask us, we'll share with you who the playwrights are and help you get to know the Asian American canon. It's not just for Asian Americans. It's for everybody to know." Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous for the Tidings Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Feb. 26, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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