Aida with a mostly white cast?

The question you're answering.
Submitted by Matt Tamanini on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 00:00
By Matt Tamanini
May 11, 2011
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I am interested in doing Aida this year as I love the music and the story, however, our school and, even more, our theatre program is pretty much completely white.Has anyone done, or seen, Aida done with a primarily white cast? Does the story lose the impact?I am interested in hearing all of your thoughts.
6 Answers

Submitted by Marcus Woollen on Tue, 10/13/2015 - 16:27
By Marcus Woollen
October 13, 2015
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Of course! This will work very well.

Submitted by Dee Norman on Sun, 05/15/2011 - 00:00
By Dee Norman
May 15, 2011
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I teach at a school in Mexico so all my kids are Mexican and we did an amazing production of AIDA 3 years ago. We just had the hair of the Nubian girls in braids and that helped distinguish them, as well as their costumes, from the Egyptians. It is an amazing show, so I hope you decide to do it!!

Submitted by Robin Leisher on Sun, 05/15/2011 - 00:00
By Robin Leisher
May 15, 2011
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A local HS performed Aida last year and did an OUTSTANDING job with just about an all white cast. It was not a problem at all.

Submitted by Adam Bett on Fri, 05/13/2011 - 00:00
By Adam Bett
May 13, 2011
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Hi Matt- 2 years ago I had the distinct pleasure of producing our high school's musical of AIDA. We are from a very rural area with limited diversity. We chose the show for it's themes and music, not because of the ethnic background. The production was simply amazing. The emotion our High Schoolers gave to the production was incredible. I completely agree with Courtney that the difference in costumes. This is a must. Status is also a big one, work on posture and walking with the actors. The show does not depend on a multi-cultural cast.

Submitted by Debbie Wolgemuth on Fri, 05/13/2011 - 00:00
By Debbie Wolgemuth
May 13, 2011
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Matt, My youth theatre presented Aida in 2008 with an ethnically diverse (white, hispanic, asian) but a primarily white cast. Our Nubians didn't look like the Broadway cast but they enjoyed giving 100% in "Dance of the Robe." Our production was very successful and the story emotionally moved the audience. Theatre kids need to experience this well written story with exquisite music to sing.

Submitted by courtney talbott on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 00:00
By courtney talbott
May 12, 2011
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I think it could be done. I did Once on this Island with a primarily white cast. I would just amp up the differences in the costumes, etc. It's a great story no matter who is in it.