CHICAGO – Jan. 29, 2018 – PRLog — Mia Park, Producer and Guest Curator for Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW), announces the casting and creative teams for “Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings,” AIRMW’s first-ever staged reading series of short and full-length plays written by Midwest Asian Americans. “Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings,” is part of AIRMW’s AA Arts Incubator Program and the First Reading is presented February 12, 2018 in The Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois, from 7 – 9 p.m. The series continues May 21, 2018 in The 1700 Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1700 North Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois; August 13, 2018 in The Alice at Goodman Theatre and November TBA 2018 in The 1700 Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre.
“In our divisive times, it’s most important for all voices and faces to be seen and heard. Asian American theatre artists are a vital representation of the Asian Pacific American experience. We intend to provide inspiration, space, and audiences for local Asian American playwrights, directors, and actors in the series, “Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings,” said Mia Park. “Our universal voice will be best developed and strengthened by focusing on local talent. The only way to be heard and seen is to speak up and have presence, and “Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings” aims to accomplish these goals,” she said.
Staged Reading Play Selections and Playwrights
(In Order of Performance)
The series kicks off Monday, February 12, 2018 with playwright Susan H. Pak’s “Election,” which will be directed by Mia Park; “Mahjong” by Melissa Kong, directed by Wai Yim; “Fresh Out the Closet” by Gavin D. Pak, directed by Carol Ann Tan; “Skin” by Tanuja Jagernauth, directed by Jonald Jude Reyes; and “Of Milk and Mirrors” by Jessica Huang, directed by Brian Balcom. Tickets are free but reservations should be made via www.goodmantheatre.org/ourperspective or call the Goodman Box Office at (312) 443-3800.
CAST
Casting for the February 12, 2018 readings is announced as follows:
Graham Carlson, Menaka Deolekar, Sheri Flanders, Harrison Hapin, Marissa Lichwick, Sarah Lo, Kevin Melendez, Karissa Murrell Myers and Miguel Nunez.
For more information, visit www.Our-Perspective.com and follow #OurPerspectiveReadings on Facebook and Twitter.
Media requests for images or interviews regarding “Our Perspective,” should be directed to ENERI Communications at info@enericom.net .
SYNOPSIS
Reading One: Five Short Plays – February 12, 2018, The Alice at Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois, 7 – 9 p.m. Admission is free, RSVP required at goodmantheatre.org/ourperspective
“Election” by Susan H. Pak, Directed by Mia Park
A brilliant, apolitical surgeon is determined to shake her Bernie-loving boyfriend out of his post-election funk. Unfortunately, he is mired knee-deep in Post Traumatic Trump Disorder. How far will she go to prove that there is life after the election?
“Mahjong” by Melissa Kong, Directed by Wai Yim
Max’s grandmother has dementia and she’s gone missing. While reporting it to the police, issues of race, culture and Tex-Mex are raised.
“Fresh Out the Closet” by Gavin D. Pak, Directed by Carol Ann Tan
Are mother and son oceans away, or just right across the dinner table? Instead of relishing the would-be comfort of Umma’s home cooked meal, Gabe maneuvers around broaching the uncomfortable secret he’s been keeping from his family for far too long. Exploring themes of identity and generational difference, “Fresh Out the Closet” is an intimate and perhaps familiar look at the family and people we choose to be at the Korean American dinner table.
“Skin” by Tanuja Jagernauth, Directed by Jonald Jude Reyes
Butter’s mother is a professional knife thrower. Going home can be a dangerous affair, to say the least, so this time Butter comes to dinner prepared — in full body armor. Will Butter’s attempt at self- protection be effective? What will they have to do in order to no longer be their mother’s target kid?
“Of Milk and Mirrors” by Jessica Huang, Directed by Brian Balcom
A play about love that puts the playwright’s real-life marriage on stage – and toys with truth by transforming the character of her husband into seven others (including writer Jorge Luis Borges and philosopher Alexius Meinong). “Of Milk and Mirrors” was originally commissioned by Atlantic Theater Company; Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director
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