Description: This book captures the 30-year history of the East West Players (EWP), tracing the company's representation of Asian Americans through the complex social and cultural changes of the past three decades. The EWP was founded in 1965 by Asian American actors, including Mako Iwamatsu, James Hong, Beulah Quo, Pat Li, June Kim, and Yet Lock. Struggling against stereotypical representations of Asians in mainstream American culture and a scarcity of acting opportunities in the theater and film industries, EWP members have developed and staged new plays which dealt with Asian American subjects. Throughout its history, the changes in the focus and interest of the EWP reveal patterns in the development of Asian American ethnic theater. By examining productions and the progress of company members, and the forum offered for Asian American playwrights to stage new works, this study charts the vital contributions of the EWP to Asian American communities and to other Asian American theaters.

While providing a much-needed historical overview of one of the founding Asian American ethnic theaters, this study also explores the relationship between performance and ethnic identity, and the negotiations between performers, audience, and larger social and political contexts. The ways in which specific and pan-Asian identities are negotiated through art and performance in this company challenge mainstream representations of Asians, re-envision Asian American history, and celebrate Asian American self-awareness.

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