Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre is a New York City-based theatre group that explores the Asian-American experience and provides professional opportunities for Asian-American artists to collaborate.[1] Pan-Asian was founded by Tisa Chang and Ernest Abuba in 1977, and Chang remains artistic director.[2] Chang established the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre as a resident company at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in 1977, with the intention of popularizing Asian-American theater and leading to other similar theatre companies in cities with an Asian disaporic population.[3][4] Pan-Asian's productions have received numerous accolades including Obie Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and a Theatre World Award.[5][6][7]
Specializing in intercultural productions of new Asian-American plays,[4] Asian classics in translation, and innovative adaptations of Western classics,[3] some of the works Pan Asian has presented included:
- Empress of China - featuring Tina Chen in the title role of China's last dowager ruler
- Yellow Fever - continued to an Off-Broadway run
- Ghashiram Kotwal - Marathi play with music
- Teahouse - by Lao She, spanning fifty years of modern Chinese history
- Cambodia Agonistes - by Ernest Abuba, music by Louis Stewart
- The Teahouse of the August Moon - by John Patrick
- Forbidden City Blues - by Alexander Woo
- The Fan Tan King - by C. Y. Leethe, world premiere
- Yohen - by Philip Kan Gotanda
- Tea - by Velina Hasu Houston, 20th anniversary production
- Ching Chong Chinaman at the Westside Theatre[8]
- The Brothers Paranormal by Prince Gomolvilas[9]
- Memorial by Livian Yeh, Off-Broadway[10]
- Warrior Sisters of Wu by Damon Chua, Off-Broadway[11]
- My Man Kono by Philip W. Chung, Off-Broadway[12]
Pan Asian has staged early works of writers including Momoko Iko, Wakako Yamauchi, Philip Kan Gotanda, R. A. Shiomi, and David Henry Hwang. When they established a residency program in 1987, Pan Asian became the United States' first resident Asian American theater company continuing with Chang's goal to showcase Asian American theater as having a role in the city's theater scene.[13][14]
It was one of three companies to co-found and produce the first National Asian American Theater Festival, which was first held in 2007.[15] The other two were the National Asian American Theater Company and Ma-Yi Theater Company.[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Haun, Harry (June 16, 2017). "40 Years On, Pan Asian Rep Still Uses Art as Protest". playbill.com. New York City: Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ↑ Hall, Margaret (June 28, 2022). "Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Founder Ernest Abuba Dies at 74". playbill.com. New York City: Playbill. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- 1 2 Gussow, Mel (April 22, 1997). "A Stage for All the World of Asian-Americans". New York Times. p. C-16. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- 1 2 Alipio, Amy (June 10, 2022). "These groundbreaking theaters shine a spotlight on Asian stories". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ↑ "Ernest Abuba to be King of La MaMa's Lier Rex, Sept. 24-Oct. 11". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Rosky, Nicole (April 29, 2024). "2024 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Pan Asian Rep Announces 20th Anniversary Season". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Kung, Michelle (April 5, 2010). "Ching Chong Chinaman Playwright Explains Controversial Title". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ↑ "Prince Gomolvilas' Ghost-Story Play The Brothers Paranormal to Debut Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Kumar, Naveen (January 26, 2023). "'Memorial' Review: An American Story, Set in Stone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Kelundra (February 2, 2024). "'Warrior Sisters of Wu': Humor and Ferocity on the Eve of War". Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Review: My Man Kono, the Story of Charlie Chaplin's Valet, an Alleged Spy for Japan - TheaterMania.com". February 13, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ Lee, Esther Kim (October 12, 2006). A History of Asian American Theatre. Cambridge University Press. pp. 43, 90–92. ISBN 978-0-521-85051-3.
- ↑ Bowles, Elinor (1993). Cultural Centers of Color: Report on a National Survey. National Endowment for the Arts. pp. 102–103.
- 1 2 Felton-Dansky, Miriam (August 20, 2024). "So Many Players". The Brooklyn Rail. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Pan Asian Repertory Theatre official website
- Pan Asian Repertory Theatre on La MaMa Archives Digital Collections
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