Radical Outreach: New Directions for Activating Underserved Audiences

Check out the HowlRound archive of the live stream of our panel at the TCG 2014 gathering in San Diego, CA.

Watch live streaming video from newplay at livestream.com

Asian Americans in "An Ideal Theater"

At today's closing plenary at the Theater Communications Group, we heard many words by some of the diverse founders of American Theater companies. Today, we didn't hear the words by some of the founders of Asian American Theater companies or Native American /First Peoples companies. I too have much to learn about the history of Native companies, but I know that there are voices from several founders of Asian American Theater Companies: East West Players (1965), Asian American Theater Company (1973) and Pan-Asian Rep (1977).

There are conversations to be had, writings to shared and much more work on inclusion to be done. For now... I offer you the words of Mako, that I was able to find tonight while searching on the internet.

Of course, we've been fighting against stereotypes from Day 1 at East West. That's the reason we formed: to combat that, and to show we are capable of more than just fulfilling the stereotypes -- waiter, laundryman, gardener, martial artist, villain. 

Unless our story is told to (other) people, it's hard for them to understand where we are. 

Personally, I am tired of living under an assumed falsehood and an imposed stereotype!

(The goal of East West Players is) to preserve and express a language and literature and sound of our own by developing an Asian Pacific American theater that is vital, truthful and alive. We should open wide the door to reveal a tapestry of East and West, rich in sensitivity and creativity.

Mako – East West Players 1965

Sources:
http://www.fofweb.com/History/MainPrintPage.asp?iPin=EJA208&DataType=AmericanHistory&WinType=Free

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Mako-actor-East-West-Players-co-founder-2516036.php

Super Ruwaxi: Origins the LA Preview on 7/2/14

Join us for July 2nd preview in Pasadena, CA

http://superruwaxi.brownpapertickets.com/

Pop-Up TeAda

Over the last 6 months - I have been working on this amazing project.  

 

In January, I started collaborating with the my fellow Artistic C.O.R.E. Members of TeAda Productions to begin to explore the experiences and stories of restaurant workers in Los Angeles. While our partnership with ROC-LA is central to this work, we have also had the opportunity to collaborate with individual restaurant workers and allies, folks from the UCLA Labor Center,  and the larger LA community. 

So, uh, what is Pop-Up TeAda?
Pop-Up TeAda are transformative theatrical happenings and workshops for the public that explore the voices of restaurant workers and promote fair practices in restaurant workplaces.

So, uh, what do you do?

We launched our movement choir at the May 1st International Worker Day March in DTLA.  (See the TeAda pictures above).  

On Tuesday, May 20th, we shared our Duet of Poems about Tips and a Parody of MJ's THRILLER as a nod to the need for Paid Sick Days at the Tuesday Night Cafe. Check out duet of poems in the video below. 


Pop Up TeAda @ Tuesday Night Cafe May 20, 2014 from TeAda Productions on Vimeo.

So, what are people saying about it?

On Monday, June 2nd - I had the pleasure of ear-pearing on Flip the Script on KPFK 90.7 fm. Saba Waheed and Riku Matsuda did an amazing job of interviewing Erica Vasquez, Cayetano Juarez, Shyamala Moorty and myself about Pop-Up Teada: http://archive.kpfk.org/ Under flip the script on June 2!

So, can I join?

Saturday, June 14th - we'll be at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. 
Join us. Find out how here!  Miss it? Check the teada.org website for complete details. 

Community Organizer at Pasadena Playhouse

My business card for STOP KISS
Directed by Seema Sueko
November 4 - 30, 2014

Excited to announce that I recently joined the Pasadena Playhouse staff as a Community Organizer in the Artistic Department. 

Read this recent post written by my fellow Organizer Nijeul Porter here!  

I'm honored to be a part of this amazing group of organizers and work with the amazing staff of the Pasadena Playhouse.

As part of my work - I will be working on STOP KISS and PYGMALION. I'm so very excited to be working with two amazing female directors Seema Sueko and Jessica Kubzansky.

Interested in finding out more? I'm continuing to branch out and discover how I can collaborate with LA individuals, groups and their communities to create a unique experience that helps both of us achieve our goals. I'd love to know how I can help you! Email me here: adelacruz [at] pasadenaplayhouse [dot] org 

Stay Tuned... amazing things are coming!