Even though I'm book illiterate (because that really hasn't changed - I haven't read a single book since my last read-a-thon I think - even ones that were gifts) - I'm still smart enough to at least remember the phrase "Reading is fundumental" -- even if spelling isn't (sorry - I could't help that. It sounded better when I was naked?).
The Big Read 2011 at East West Players
East West Players (EWP), the nation’s premier Asian American theatre, presents The Big Read, an initiative to restore reading to the center of American popular culture. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
Moderator Prince Gomolvilas, director Leslie Ishii, and a professional team of East West Players theatre artists and educators will bring Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club" from the page to the stage. Selected audience members will have the opportunity to read scenes with actresses from East West Players' 2008 theatrical production of "The Joy Luck Club" adapted by Susan Kim from Amy Tan's novel. This workshop is designed to give the audience an opportunity to actively participate and observe an acting class and to offer insight into the process of lifting a passage from the novel into a live theatrical experience.
“This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved with reading, acting, theater, and to participate in the performance process,” says EWP Arts Education Director Marilyn Tokuda. “We are very excited to be presenting Amy Tan and Susan Kim’s work to audiences.”
The Big Read is sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs and is a free event. The event will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theater at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 10:00 am to 11:30 pm and again at 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Parking is available in Lot 7 next to the theater for $7, or metered street parking.
East West Players is the longest running theatre of color AND the largest producer of Asian American artistic work. Located in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo, it is committed to teaching American history, diversity and respect for many different cultures.
For more information on this event, please visit www.neabigread.org, or contact Arts Education Director, Marilyn Tokuda at (213) 625-7000 x15 or email mtokuda@eastwestplayers.org.
For more information on all of East West Players’ productions and educational programs, please call (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org.
