A History of Asian American Theatre

In 1965, the first Asian American theatre company, the East West players, was founded by a group of actors who wanted to find better opportunities in the acting industry. Forty years later, Asian American theatre is one of the fastest growing theatre sectors with over thirty active theatre companies and numerous award-winning artists such as Frank Chin, Jessica Hagedorn, Ping Chong, David Henry Hwang, Philip Kan Gotanda, Velina Hasu, and B. D. Wong. Based on over seventy interviews, the book surveys the history of Asian American theatre from 1965 to 2005 with focus on actors, playwrights, companies, audiences, and communities. Emphasizing historical contexts, Esther Kim Lee examines how issues of cultural nationalism, interculturalism, and identity politics affect a racially defined theatre. Addressing issues ranging from actor’s activism to Asian Diaspora, the book documents how Asian American theatre has become an indispensable part of American culture.

• Includes a detailed chronology which provides a historical context • Based on over seventy interviews • Includes illustrations of theatre productions

Preface; 1. Asian American theatre before 1965; 2. Actors in the 1960s and 1970s; 3. First four theatre companies; 4. Diversification of Asian American theatre; 5. Second wave playwrights; 6. Solo performance; 7. Miss Saigon controversy; 8. The 1990s; Epilogue; Appendix A. Archival resources on Asian American theatre; Bibliography.

Research Award for Outstanding Booklength Study in Theatre Practice and Pedagogy given by ATHE (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) 2007 - Winner