A veteran of 60 years in the theater, he makes a counterintuitive – and sadly convincing – point: colorblind casting can mean more parts for white actors. On the one hand, every role should be open to every actor: you needn’t be a Dane to play Hamlet. On the other, an all-white Raisin in the Sun; that can’t be right. We spoke at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, with music from the Ebony Hillbilllies.

• •  PERSON: Lloyd Richards
  •  PLACE: the Schomburg Center
  •  THING: “The Negro in the American Theatre”
  •  RANDY’S THING: a photo album