Colorblnd Casting~ A Discussion with Actor Michael Giovanni

On today's episode of Mixed Race Radio we will meet actor, Michael Giovanni and discuss his personal experiences, upcoming movie projects, the term, “race lifting” and explore whether casting someone Caucasian to play a real life person of color is the same as casting a person of color in a non-traditional role.

Michael Giovanni is an American actor of Hispanic descent. Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 1984, Giovanni got his first true taste of acting after he was discovered by actor Michael K. Williams at a mall in Harrisburg, PA. Williams convinced Giovanni to audition for the HBO hit series "The Wire" (resulting in his first professional acting gig), as well as tutored Giovanni himself, pushing him further to enhance his techniques. This led to Giovanni's introduction to legendary acting coach Mel Williams (TFANG) out of New York.

Mel Williams' skills allowed Giovanni to grow, as evident from his stint in an off-Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire," where he portrayed the play's lead character, Stanley Kowalski, to rave reviews.

Giovanni followed up with two appearances on Tyler Perry's House of Payne, independent film (Easy Hustle), the highly anticipated blockbuster Dark Knight Rises, and the web series Hamilton Street.

In addition to acting, Michael Giovanni also has a sense of compassion for the less fortunate. Growing up in a single-parent household, he never forgot where he came from and the help he, his mother and younger brother have received from others. It has moved him to continue the trend so much so that on a number of occasions he has traveled abroad to build medical and educational facilities.