AAPAC
The Asian American Performers Action Coalition publishing annual visibility reports and advocating for Asian American representation in NYC theatre
Overview
The Asian American Performers Action Coalition, known as AAPAC, is a New York City-based advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the visibility, perception, and opportunities for Asian American artists in the entertainment industry, with a particular focus on the New York theatre community. Founded by a group of Asian American actors and theatre professionals who recognized the persistent underrepresentation of their community on New York stages, AAPAC has become one of the most important voices advocating for diversity and inclusion in American theatre. The organization's work addresses both the quantitative dimension of representation — how many Asian American actors are being cast — and the qualitative dimension — the types of roles Asian American actors are offered and the stories being told about Asian American experiences. AAPAC operates primarily through volunteer effort, reflecting the passionate commitment of its members to advancing equity in their industry.
AAPAC's annual visibility reports are the organization's most widely cited and influential contribution to the diversity conversation in American theatre. These reports provide detailed statistical analyses of casting demographics on Broadway and in major nonprofit theatres in New York City, tracking the racial and ethnic composition of casts over each season and documenting trends over time. The reports have become essential reference documents for theatre industry leaders, journalists, academics, and advocates seeking to understand the current state of diversity on New York stages. By providing hard data on casting patterns, AAPAC transforms the conversation about representation from anecdotal impressions to evidence-based analysis, making it much more difficult for industry leaders to dismiss concerns about underrepresentation or claim that progress is being made when the numbers tell a different story.
How It Works
Beyond the visibility reports, AAPAC engages in direct advocacy with theatre companies, producers, and industry organizations to promote more inclusive casting practices and programming choices. The organization participates in industry panels, symposia, and public forums where it presents its research findings and advocates for specific policy changes that would increase Asian American representation. AAPAC members have been vocal participants in broader industry conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in theatre, bringing the specific perspective of the Asian American performing community to discussions that might otherwise overlook their experiences. The organization also provides a supportive community for Asian American performers who may feel isolated in an industry where they are significantly underrepresented, creating spaces for connection, mutual support, and collective action.
AAPAC's advocacy work has been particularly effective in challenging the practice of yellowface and other forms of inappropriate cross-racial casting that have historically denied Asian American actors opportunities to play roles that reflect their heritage. The organization has spoken out against high-profile productions that cast non-Asian actors in Asian roles, generating public pressure that has influenced casting decisions and shifted industry norms over time. AAPAC also advocates for the development and production of new works by Asian American playwrights, recognizing that expanding the repertoire of plays that center Asian American experiences creates more opportunities for Asian American performers while enriching the broader theatrical landscape. The organization's advocacy extends to the educational pipeline, encouraging theatre training programs to recruit and support Asian American students and to include Asian American perspectives in their curricula.
Who Uses It
The organization collaborates with other arts equity organizations, including the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, the Asian American Arts Alliance, and broader diversity coalitions, to amplify its advocacy and build solidarity across communities that share the experience of underrepresentation in the performing arts. AAPAC recognizes that the challenges facing Asian American performers are connected to broader patterns of racial inequity in American culture and that effective advocacy requires coalition building and mutual support among marginalized communities. The organization's work has contributed to a measurable shift in awareness among New York theatre leaders about the importance of Asian American representation, even as significant gaps between awareness and action persist. AAPAC's success in establishing its visibility reports as industry standard references demonstrates the power of rigorous, consistent data collection as an advocacy tool.
Pricing & Plans
AAPAC's resources, reports, and advocacy work are entirely free and publicly accessible, reflecting the organization's mission to serve the Asian American performing arts community without financial barriers. The annual visibility reports are published online and can be downloaded at no cost by anyone seeking to understand diversity trends in New York theatre. There are no membership fees, subscription costs, or participation charges associated with engaging in AAPAC's advocacy work or attending its public events and forums. The organization operates primarily through volunteer labor and modest donations, which means its work is sustained by the commitment and generosity of its members rather than by institutional funding or commercial revenue. This volunteer-driven model keeps the organization's independence but also limits its capacity to expand its programs and research. Compared to larger diversity organizations with paid staff and institutional budgets, AAPAC accomplishes a remarkable amount with minimal financial resources, though this also means it cannot offer the same breadth of programming or services.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
AAPAC's annual visibility reports are its most powerful asset — the consistent, rigorous collection and publication of casting diversity data over many years has created an invaluable longitudinal record that tracks progress and exposes persistent patterns of underrepresentation with undeniable statistical clarity. The organization's focused advocacy on behalf of Asian American performers ensures that the specific experiences and challenges of this community are not subsumed into broader diversity conversations where Asian American concerns may be overlooked or deprioritized. AAPAC's grassroots, volunteer-driven structure gives it an authenticity and passion that institutional organizations sometimes lack, as its members are themselves working artists directly affected by the issues they advocate about. The organization's public advocacy campaigns have demonstrated the ability to generate meaningful media attention and public pressure that influences industry decision-making. AAPAC provides a vital community space for Asian American performers who may otherwise feel isolated in an industry where they are underrepresented. The organization's willingness to name specific theatres and productions in its advocacy creates accountability that generalized diversity statements cannot achieve.
What Could Be Better
AAPAC's volunteer-driven structure, while admirable, limits the organization's capacity to expand its research, programming, and advocacy efforts beyond what its members can accomplish in their spare time alongside their own performing careers. The organization's primary focus on New York City theatre means that Asian American performers in other markets and in film, television, and digital media may not find AAPAC's resources directly applicable to their situations. The visibility reports, while groundbreaking, focus specifically on Broadway and major nonprofit theatres and do not capture casting patterns in Off-Off-Broadway, regional theatre, touring productions, or non-theatrical entertainment sectors. The organization's limited resources mean it cannot provide the kind of direct career services — such as casting workshops, agent showcases, or skills training — that some performers may be seeking from an advocacy organization. AAPAC's confrontational advocacy style, while effective in generating attention and accountability, may occasionally create tension with theatre companies and producers whose cooperation is ultimately needed to achieve lasting change. The focus on representation metrics, while essential, does not fully address other barriers facing Asian American performers such as pay equity, creative control, and leadership advancement.
Our Recommendation
AAPAC is an essential resource for Asian American performers working in the New York theatre industry who want to understand the representation landscape, connect with a supportive community, and contribute to advocacy efforts that directly affect their career opportunities. Theatre industry leaders, including artistic directors, casting directors, and producers, should engage with AAPAC's visibility reports and advocacy recommendations as part of their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Journalists and researchers covering diversity in the performing arts will find AAPAC's longitudinal data indispensable for accurate and nuanced reporting on representation trends. Actors of all backgrounds who care about equity in theatre should familiarize themselves with AAPAC's work to understand the specific challenges facing Asian American colleagues and to support solidarity across communities. The organization is most impactful when its advocacy is supported by broad industry engagement, so even non-Asian American allies can contribute meaningfully by amplifying AAPAC's research and recommendations.
Pro Tips
Start by reading AAPAC's most recent visibility report on their website to understand the current state of Asian American representation in New York theatre and the trends that have emerged over years of data collection. Follow AAPAC on social media to stay informed about advocacy campaigns, public events, and community gatherings where you can connect with other Asian American performers and allies. If you are an Asian American performer in New York City, consider volunteering with the organization — the data collection for the visibility reports requires participation from community members who attend productions and record casting demographics. Attend AAPAC's public panels and forums, which provide opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders and participate in meaningful conversations about representation and equity. Share the visibility reports with your theatre colleagues, agents, and industry contacts to help spread awareness of the data and increase the pressure for change. If you are a theatre maker in a position to influence casting and programming decisions, use AAPAC's data and recommendations as a resource for making more inclusive choices in your own work.