Asian American Theatre - Asian-American Theatre Companies

Asian-American Theatre Companies

East West Players (EWP) was founded in 1965 by a group of actors who wanted to fight racism in the entertainment industry by creating non-stereotypical roles for Asian Americans. Led by the Japanese American actor Mako, the actors at EWP first saw theatre as a venue to showcase their talent for television and film producers and directors, but by the early 1970s, the EWP began to actively sponsor original plays by Asian Americans. Frank Chin, who founded the Asian American Theatre Workshop, argued that Asian-American actors needed Asian-American playwrights to create believable roles and to end dependence on the mainstream acting industry. Theatrical Ensemble of Asians (TEA) began in 1974 on the campus of the University of Washington and later became Northwest Asian American Theatre (NWAAT). In addition to acting and playwriting, TEA emphasized community activism and became a cultural center for Asian Americans in Seattle. Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (Pan Asian Rep), on the other hand, emerged as part of Off-Off Broadway theatre in 1978. Founded by Tisa Chang, Pan Asian Rep became the representative Asian-American theatre company in New York City and introduced Asian-American plays to the East Coast audiences. In the 1980s and 1990s, Asian-American theatre companies were founded with more diverse purposes and styles. Many companies such as Ma-Yi Theater Company (New York City) and Lodestone Theatre Ensemble (Los Angeles) focus on producing new, original plays. Others companies' agendas departed greatly from the original four: National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) in New York City, for instance, stages canonized Western plays with all Asian cast, and Mu Performing Arts in Minneapolis incorporates Asian theatrical styles to specifically cater to local audiences.