New Play Readings at East West Players

New Play Readings at East West Players

Ever since East West Players began in the mid-60s, Mako had the foresight to know that Asian American actors wouldn't be able to grow as artists if they didn't have the written material to work with. One aspect of theatre that EWP has always cultivated is playwrights. Mako encouraged writers like Wakako Yamauchi and Jon Shirota to transpose their written works to the stage. With their efforts, and the efforts of many others, Asian American theatre was not only born, it thrived.

Thankfully, EWP still values the development of new works. Their David Henry Hwang Writers Institute, established in 1991, has generated numerous new writers and new works, among them the stageplay of "Visas and Virtue," which became the film that garnered me an Oscar.

This month many new plays will be on display in two reading series: New original plays will be presented in the "SCHADENFEST" series, and new drafts of works-in-progress will be read in "REINCARNATIONS."

I am directing an exciting new work, written by my producing partner, Tim Toyama – about one of our most respected community leaders – on Monday, December 17. See announcement below for details.

If you have any evenings free, between the mad rush of Holiday shopping, come sit in on the development of some new plays written by the next generation of Asian American playwrights.

—CT