McCants has a similar perspective about the role ethnic performing groups in the greater community.
"Community service is another major focus of Black CAST--we try to get kids from the community involved," she says. "For instance, last year we had kids from North Cambridge Latin [an elementary school] come to Cabot House and perform their own works, whether it was dance or song or a poem they had written."
Identity Crisis?
On a campus skewered by identity politics, students say artistic performance can be used as a political weapon, a healing medium or an instrument of discussion and cultural exchange.
All of the students interviewed warn against talk of a single "Black voice" or "Asian experience."
"There's a danger when you talk about theater in terms of defining a group identity," Tye says. "There are so many points of view and a play only takes one perspective. You can't say there's a single Asian-American experience."
"More important than anything else is establishing a forum for discussion," she continues. "It's better to have a forum for discussion and maybe even argument than silence. Not everyone will understand or agree with the production, but at least it's happening."