CATE Award

East West Players Recognized by California Association of Teachers of English

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s premier Asian American theatre, was recently recognized as the only recipient to be awarded the CATE Award of Merit for 2010 by the California Association of Teachers of English (CATE). Ceremonies took place during the CATE Annual Convention at the LAX Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles on February 12, 2010.

EWP received the CATE Award for the exciting work it’s done under the leadership of Arts Education Director Marilyn Tokuda. “They have an extensive program of workshops and performances,” says President Nancy Himel of the Southland Council of Teachers of English, “and they produce a high-quality show that travels from school to school each year. Marilyn Tokuda seems tireless in her dedication to her theater and to LA’s youth, and East West Players settles for nothing less than outstanding reviews from all who participate with them.” CATE President Robert Chapman adds, “CATE is proud of the exciting work you [EWP] have done to improve English/Language Arts in the state of California.”

EWP outreaches to thousands of students each year through its Theatre for Youth and an array of other services provided through its Arts Education Program. “We are honored to accept the CATE Award of Merit,” states Tokuda. “It not only recognizes the accomplishments of East West Players, but it recognizes the contribution of Asian Pacific American playwrights to the canon of American dramatic literature. In addition to works by famous playwrights such as Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neil, it’s important that students be exposed to a myriad of playwrights, including those of color such as David Henry Hwang, Susan Lori Parks, Philip Kan Gotanda, Luis Alfaro and Julia Cho. It is through their collective voices that we learn who we are as a community, as a culture, and as a part of the American landscape.”

EWP’s latest Theatre for Youth production of Dawn’s Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi – a true story of the courageous college student who, based on principles of protecting his civil rights, refused evacuation orders during the Japanese American Internment of World War II – is touring schools during the months of February and March and is a reflection of EWP’s commitment to utilizing performing arts as a tool to teach students about social studies, American history, issues in immigrant communities, and their own role in protecting the American Constitution.

As the nation’s premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces outstanding works and educational programs that give voice to the Asian Pacific American experience. EWP’s Theatre for Youth touring productions have toured Southern California since 1972. For more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org.


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Copyright 2010, Roger W. Tang

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