A History of Asian American Theatre

This book surveys the history of Asian American theatre from 1965 to 2005.

Esther Kim Lee (Author)

9780521850513, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 October 2006

284 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2.5 cm, 0.55 kg

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, this 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.

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.

Subject Areas: Regional studies [GTB], Theatre studies [AN]