Upcoming Shows - In the Works:

APPEARANCES:
January 29, 2012
Sunday 5-7pm
Latino Theater Company Play Reading
Los Angeles Theater Center
514 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013

March 13, 2012
UCLA Asian American Studies 187A
Professor Valerie Matsumoto
"Exploring Ethnic Cultural Arts through Oral History"

March 29, 2012
Thursday 6:30-9:30pm
Break the Silence Open Mic held at
The Manazar Gamboa Community Theater
1323 Gundry Ave. Long Beach, CA, 90813
http://oneimagination.weebly.com/events.html

April 4, 2012
Wednesday 11-1pm
Cal Arts in Valencia
Theater History
Professor Chantal Rodriguez E108

UPCOMING SHOWS:
Los Angeles, CA
Produced by TeAda Productions and The Latino Theater Company
May 31 - June 24, 2012
Thursday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 3pm
General $30|Students/Seniors/Groups: $20
Los Angeles Theater Center
514 S. Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Fall 2012-Portland, OR
Fall 2012-Vermont
Stay tuned for times and locations.


Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Pirate or Refugee?


Leilani has been bugging me to write about the difference in the work I did on Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and the work I do with Refugee Nation. The two experiences have such a wide gap that it's incredibly ludicrous to think about. One is backed by a multi-billion dollar business under the name of Disney, while the other is supported by a tiny, non-profit organization called TeAda Productions.

Being a pirate on the film made me realize the truth behind the business. It's all about the dollars in the end. The creative forces that control the film must and have a strong arm on the outcome of the final product. I was a very teeny tiny part of that giant machine. In the end I was fortunate enough to have screen time. I was lucky. It can be done with a lack of soul.

Being a refugee performing with my wife Leilani AND sharing about the Lao experience is rewarding in so many levels. It is the truth of who I am. It is the essence of what I am. The struggle to make the performance powerful and alive. The passion and courage to deal with relevant issues that plague our society today. War. Oppression. Healing. I am proud to be creating a work so personal and yet global.

So if you were me would you rather be Pirate or a Refugee?