Asian Canadian actors discuss issues on screen and stage

Fresh Off the Boat made a splash when it premiered in February, for being the first Asian American sitcom to debut since Margaret Cho's All American Girl way back in 1994.

Meanwhile, North American actors of Asian descent have popped up in everything from the Hawaii Five-0 remake (Grace Park, Daniel Dae Kim) to X-Men movies and spin-offs (Kelly Hu, Daniel Henney, Will Yun Lee).

However, there haven't been many Asian North American films to break through to the mainstream like 1993's The Joy Luck Club, 1994's Double Happiness, or 2005's Eve and the Fire Horse.  

There's also still plenty of room for growth when it comes to roles for Asian North American actors.

A discussion of the issues Asian actors face on screen and stage will take place on Tuesday (March 24, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) with three local actors at UBC (Meekison Arts Student Space Lounge, Buchanan D140).

A panel will feature actor Diana Bang (The Interview, The Killing), UBC diversity advisor Kuan Foo, and actor Nelson Wong (American Mary).

All three are members of the sketch-comedy group Assaulted Fish.

They'll be talking about how to forge a career in the performing arts and what role Asian Canadian venues and organizations can play in helping talent.

For more information, visit the UBC Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies website.