East West Players Debuts New Performance Series "EVOKE: A Festival of Diverse Voices" –
OCTOBER 11-14, 2012

First Installation to Feature LGBT Asian Pacific American Artists
East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, debuts EVOKE: A Festival of Diverse Voices. EVOKE will take place October 11-14, 2012 at East West Players in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

The EVOKE Festival nurtures artists and new performance works that expand the dialogue about the Asian Pacific American experiences. This inaugural installation of the EWP EVOKE Festival presents the vivid reality and imaginations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender APA artists. EVOKE audience members will have unique opportunities to explore the work and engage with artists Raja Bhattar, Alicia Virani, Chueh Jun-Fung, Nguyen Nguyen and Rich Yap. EVOKE is directed by multi-disciplinary theatre artist Alison De La Cruz. As a dramaturg and director, De La Cruz has had the pleasure of working with notable queer artists such as the Butchlalis de Panochitlan and D'Lo in their new work development processes.

"In line with the mission of East West Players to produce artistic works that foster dialogue exploring Asian Pacific experiences, the EVOKE performance series is not only an introduction to new artists, but a celebration of these emerging voices in the community," says Tim Dang, EWP's Producing Artistic Director. "We are excited to bring these stories to the stage."

All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. EVOKE will run October 11 through October 14, 2012. October 11, 12, and 13th shows start at 8pm. The October 14th show starts at 2pm, preceded by a Family "Bring Your Own Brunch" gathering in the East West Players courtyard, starting at 12 noon. All are welcome to join. Community organizations will have information tables and food trucks will have savory snacks available for purchase.

General Admission tickets are $10. For ticket purchases or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org.