Cast in Encore Theatre Company's Hookman

I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I'll be playing Yoonji in Encore Theatre Company's production of Hookman, written by UC San Diego MFA alum Lauren Yee. I was lucky enough to do a workshop reading of this play back in college and am delighted to return to it. (Lauren's an amazing playwright. Seriously, check her out.)

Hookman is a meditation on what it means to be young and female in a world that seems—at times—hostile, lonely, and dangerous.

We start rehearsals in April and open May 2015 at Z Below. A mold of my face will be a prop. I can't wait!

Learn more about the production here, at Encore's website.

Keeper of My Heart's Odd Secrets

Our two-weekend showing of Emma Jaster's brainchild, Keeper of My Heart's Odd Secrets was a success and a delight. We held talkbacks after each showing with each resident probing the audience for feedback.

Check out some of the unbelievable photos that Ramunė Rastonis took from rehearsal in Productions.

Cristian Gaitan designed the game section in the beginning and did a stunning job. Emma assembled an amazing team.

Next up for Odd Secrets? An installation this September at Z Space!

Ubuntu Theater Project's 2014 Summer Theater Festival

I'm super excited to be involved with Ubuntu Theater Project. Ever since they took the Bay Area (and my news feed) by storm last year, I've been curious about their work. Since moving home, I've been looking for an artistic home. And before I joined the San Francisco Neo-Futurists, I stalked these fine folks at UTP to see how I could get involved. People whose work I love and trust love and trust these folks. And tada. Now I'm involved as UTP's Communications Manager.

Here comes the ask. We're raising money for our 2014 Summer Theater Festival. $8,000, in fact.

You might be experiencing donor fatigue. (I sure am.) But look at all these people who got together and decided to make something. And if making something for making its sake isn't enough (it isn't always for me) know this: this festival is four weeks long, comprising six shows and covering three cities. Over 30 UC San Diego MFA actors, designers and directors are coming together to make this happens. On top of our full-time jobs and full-time demands as students, these passionate people are rehearsing and creating their hearts out to invigorate Bay Area theatre.

Our theatre is "affordable, social, and cutting edge." Not unlike what Hungry River Theatre Co. stood for.

So please, if you can, spare a few bucks or lend us your eyes, your news feeds. We'll fill your hearts.

Donate today to bring Ubuntu Theater Project back to Oakland.

P.S. More news about my current artistic project, Keeper of My Heart's Odd Secrets in the next post.
P.P.S. The inimitable Emily Chao donated her time, energy and expertise to create UTP's Kickstarter video. #likeaboss

Is it Love? Can it Be? I'm a San Francisco Neo-Futurist

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Last Friday—May 30th, 2014—marked my human premiere as a San Francisco Neo-Futurist.

It's super official now that I have my photo booth pic.

The first weekend jitters are gone and the real challenge lies ahead of me. Writing more, better, tighter. Thinking faster, smarter, harder. The shows feel like a gift to me (and hopefully a gift to the audience, too).

This weekend: round two of my first, three-week run.

Next weekend: round three of my first, three-week run.

Hope you'll join me at the lovely Boxcar Theatre for some ɪkˌspɛrəˈmɛntl theatre. There will be nudity. Unfortunately (fortunately?) it won't be mine.

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
San Francisco Neo-Futurists
$15 + fees online
OR
$10 + $1 times the roll of a 6-sided die at the door ($11 – $16)

New Year, New Path

In short: I am back in the Bay Area, working (Theatre Bay Area's new Marketing Associate), in rehearsal at New Conservatory Theatre Center, working remotely for another job, and helping out with Ubuntu Theater Project's second Summer Festival.

How I feel about it all, in short: PSYCHED.

Ask me in three weeks when I'm neck deep in Tech and I might have a different answer for you.

On to the fun stuff. My current projects!

"Organized Crime...Or Something Like That"

Doc (amazing creator and star of the series) fixed it so that I shot all my scenes for Season 1 before I left Los Angeles. In two Sundays.  Here's a shot of Da Boss (Doc, Left) and The Hammer (Me, Right). A rare moment of open cheekiness from the usually zen bodyguard.

Happy to report that our Indiegogo got us enough to get us through Season 1. But it's never too late chip in if you like what you see...

Standing on Ceremony at New Conservatory Theater Center

We had a glorious two weeks of table read getting to know each other, the text, all that the text implies... And now we're getting on our feet. Since it's a series of one acts, rehearsal time is being split up, play by play. More importantly, our super adorable publicity photos are up. Ben Randle dreamt up the concept and Lois Lema took the shots. Shout out to Director Sara Staley for her assistant confetti lady duties.

That's all for now! More updates as they come...

Standing on Ceremony (2014), Dir. Sara Staley - Photo By Lois Tema

Standing on Ceremony (2014), Dir. Sara Staley - Photo By Lois Tema

Standing on Ceremony (2014), Dir. Sara Staley - Photo By Lois Tema 

Standing on Ceremony (2014), Dir. Sara Staley - Photo By Lois Tema