East West Players


East West Players is an Asian American theatre organization in Los Angeles, founded in 1965. As the nation's first and largest professional Asian American theatre organization, it has since produced works and educational programs centered around the Asian Pacific American experience.

History

Established in 1965 by Mako, Rae Creevey, Beulah Quo, Soon-tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Li, June Kim, Guy Lee, and Yet Lock, East West Players originated as a place where Asian-American actors could perform roles beyond the stereotypical caricatures they were being limited to in Hollywood. Mako served as its first artistic director, working for decades to train and nurture several generations of playwrights and actors. An early statement of purpose read: "To further cultural understanding between the East and West by employing the dual Oriental and American heritages of the East-West Players."
In 1998, EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang led the company’s move from a 99-seat Equity Waiver "black box" into a new 240-seat venue at an Actors' Equity Association contract level. EWP's mainstage is the David Henry Hwang Theater, housed within the historic Union Center for the Arts in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district. The theater serves over 15,000 people each year, including low-income audiences of whom are provided free and discounted admissions, as well as deaf audiences via ASL-interpreted productions.
In 2012, The New York Times called East West Players "the nation’s pre-eminent Asian American theater troupe" for their award-winning productions blending Eastern and Western movement, costumes, language, and music. Since its founding, EWP has premiered over 200 plays and musicals about the Asian Pacific American experience and has facilitated over 1,000 readings and workshops. EWP additionally hosts an annual awards dinner to celebrate the achievements of individuals who have "raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American community through their craft."

Mission

As of 2019, the East West Players mission statement currently reads: "As the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces artistic works and educational programs that foster dialogue exploring Asian Pacific experiences." Its goals include:
  • Continuing the movement to develop, foster and expand Asian Pacific performance into a major force on the national arts scene in the 21st century
  • National recognition of the organization's productions and programs
  • Increased opportunities for Asian and Pacific Islander artists on stage and in other media
  • Introducing audiences to the diverse Asian Pacific experiences
  • Educational programs and mentorship in the literary, technical and performing arts
  • Financial and organizational sustainability and growth

    Educational programs

East West Players offers a growing array of educational programs training over 200 multicultural artists each year:
  • The Actors Conservatory: performance workshops and an intensive Summer Conservatory
  • David Henry Hwang Writers Institute: a playwright development program facilitated vis-à-vis writing classes
  • Theatre for Youth: a touring program reaching an estimated 50,000 K-8 graders and their families via in-school performances and festivals, with scholarships provided for accessibility

    Alumni

Over seventy-five percent of all Asian Pacific performers in the acting unions living in Los Angeles have worked at East West Players. It has additionally provided training and opportunities to many emerging and professional artists who have gone on to win Tony Awards, Obie Awards, Emmy Awards, LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, and Academy Awards. East West Players has also collaborated with many organizations though its history, including Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, Robey Theatre Company, Cornerstone Theater Company, Ma-Yi Theatre Company, and Cedar Grove OnStage.
Notable EWP alumni include the following.

Actors

Dramatists

Collaborations

East West Players has also had the opportunity to work with many respected artists and faculty such as actors Dennis Dun, Danny Glover, Bill Macy, Takayo Fischer, George Takei, Tsai Chin, and Nancy Kwan; directors Lisa Peterson and Oskar Eustis; musician Dan Kuramoto; and instructors Calvin Remsberg and Fran Bennett.

Honorees

East West Players hosts an annual gala fundraiser in order to honor "individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American community through their craft." The event itself comprises a formal dinner followed by a silent auction. Proceeds from the event go directly toward funding the theatre's many educational and artistic programs. Additionally, five awards are given each year:
  • Visionary Award
  • Corporate/Foundation Visionary Award
  • Made in American Award
  • Breakout Performance Award
  • Founders Award
Past honorees include Tia Carrere, John Cho, Tim Dang, Prince Gomolvilas, Amy Hill, Mako, Mike Shinoda, BD Wong, and Michelle Yeoh.

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