Representation in American Theater: The Chicanx Community’s Fight to Express Social and Political Inequalities

Theatrical performance has survived for thousands of years and is still studied today by millions of aspiring artists. People have always gathered to tell stories and perform their own works in front of an audience. Since 1948, the Tony Awards have provided recognition to exceptionally original playwrights. The script of a play is often the foundation for a Broadway show, making it highly prestigious to be a recipient of the Tony Award for Best Play. The televised award ceremony brings together the most brilliant minds of Broadway for recognition. Four to five playwrights are nominated per year, but only one wins. Theater enthusiasts have noticed that the Best Play award is mainly bestowed upon white playwrights, causing concern about the types of plays being celebrated—and the types of plays that are not. To date, no Mexican-American has ever been nominated for a Tony Award and all eight of the female recipients have been white. It is not as if Anglo playwrights are naturally more engaging writers or Mexican-Americans struggle to write anything innovative. It is a matter of whose plays are being produced on and off Broadway, and therefore are receiving more mainstream representation. Without Chicanx playwrights being honored at the Tony Awards, the threat of inequality and misrepresentation remains