Kaidan Ghost Project Emerges from East West Players and Rouge Artists Ensemble

Los Angeles, CA (October 05, 2021) – East West Players and Rogue Artists Ensemble announce the launch of an innovative new immersive experience merging storytelling and technology, Kaidan Project: Alone.

The augmented reality app, available in Apple and Android app stores, will take users on a journey through history while confronting the ghosts of the past. Augmented Reality (AR) elements will put users face to face with ghosts inspired by Japanese folklore in their physical space as they unlock more behind the story.

To kick off the app’s launch, Rogue Artists Ensemble presents a one-day-only FREE walk-through haunt, THIS ALLEY IS HAUNTED, from noon to 5pm on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at East West’s Players physical home, The Union Center for the Arts in Little Tokyo at 120 Judge John Aiso Street.

Free and open to the public, the haunt features live actors, design and puppetry elements from the 2017 award-winning production Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin. Other elements include an outdoor haunted house, masked characters, photo opps, and more.

“This project was a direct response to the shock of isolation during the pandemic, when our usual theatrical connections were severed,” said Rogue Artistic Director Sean Cawelti. “We dove into alternative storytelling to explore a haunted house narrative in a new way, when we are all trapped alone with our own ghosts.”

East West Players and Rogue Artists Ensemble have been in partnership since 2010, with a joint mission to amplify AAPI creative works across disciplines and genres. Together, both organizations serve to support more diverse narratives and expand the reach of East West Player’s storytelling community. Alone is an off-shoot of the organizations’ previous collaboration, 2017’s award-winning Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin.

“East West Players is excited to once again partner with Rogue Artists Ensemble, and bring this innovative theatrical experience to an app and to our physical space,” says EWP Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai. “Expanding on the tale we began with the original Kaidan: Walls Grow Thin, which originates from Japanese folklore, expect to be fully transported to a world with ancient ghosts that emerge from the shadows and come alive!”

The AR Ghost Hunting tour is free to attend, with limited RSVPs available for timed slots as well as standby slots available for walk-ups.

For more information and to download the app, visit www.kaidanproject.com.

Kaidan Ghost Project:

This project is supported by generous contributions from The Venturous Theatre Fund, The Japan Foundation, Greenwolf Cannabis Dispensary, The Invisible Studios, California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture,The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, California Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Music “Kabuki Girl” provided by The Descendents.

Rogue Artists Ensemble:

East West Players:

About Kaidan App:

Featuring a cast of over a dozen actors from the BIPOC Los Angeles art and theater community, this interactive mobile experience exists at the uncharted crossroads of immersive theater, podcasts and interactive video games. Ghosts appear right in your home through innovative Augmented Reality technology. The app was created by Rogue Artists Ensemble and a team of programmers with AAA game title experience. The text is by Rogue ensemble members Lisa Sanaye Dring and Chelsea Sutton. Available on Apple and Google Play app stores.

Rogue Artists Ensemble has been producing critically and financially successful works in Los Angeles since 2001 and originated over 25 productions that have been seen by over 200K audience members in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Seattle, Atlanta, Portland.

Rogue has received accolades from critics in LA and a UNIMA Citation of Excellence, the highest honor within the puppetry community, and is the recipient of six Stage Raw Award nominations, numerous Ovation Award nominations and wins, including the Ovation Honorary Award for Puppet Design, and funding awards from theThe Jim Henson Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Founded in 1965, East West Players is committed to raising the visibility of the Asian American experience by presenting inventive world-class theatrical productions, developing artists of color, and providing impactful youth education programs. East West Players’ vision is to inspire and advocate for a world free of racism and discrimination through transformative artistic works. Our company continues to build platforms for artists of color while advocating for multi-faceted representations of the Asian Pacific American experience in the performing arts.