AAP Supporter Testimonials

“Post-college I had already hit a period of burnout as a stage manager. Between the transition to the ‘real world’ and a few bad experiences, I decided to take a step back from it. After helping out on their 2015 kick off event, Artists at Play asked me to stage manage In Love and Warcraft. I decided to give them a chance and was blown away. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It renewed my passion and reminded me of why I loved what I do.

Artists at Play is a group that helped me to find my community within the theatre world. They helped me be more in touch with the issues that underrepresented communities in the arts face and how I can have a voice in that discussion. Through Artists at Play I was able to build meaningful connections with other artists, which has been a huge benefactor to my consistent work after relocating to New York City. They gave me the opportunity to truly grow as a professional and were instrumental in my development as a stage manager.

Artists at Play is a special group that I consider an artistic home. Their commitment to the work they produce shines through from the big picture decisions down to simply making sure everyone is fed and taken care of. They are a vital organization that needs to continue to grow both in the Los Angeles area and nationally. I look forward to seeing what they do next and can’t help but feel slightly jealous that I won’t be a part of it directly!”

Jonathan Castanien, stage manager and publicist

“I support Artists at Play because of their mission to tell stories of communities underrepresented in theatre. I support them because they bring new works to life, by playwrights, especially Asian Americans, that have not had their stories told, and they provide opportunities for people of color in roles normally inaccessible. And I support AAP because they’re bringing these new stories to the stage for the first time with such world premieres as The Two Kids that Blow Shit Up by Carla Ching, and Two Mile Hollow by Leah Nanako Winkler. They bring us new voices, new stories, and new storytellers.”

Randy and Mari Tamura, Artists at Play Originator donors

“Artists at Play provides a vital platform to share stories from the perspectives of Asian American playwrights, artists, and actors in the greater Southern California theatre scene. More importantly, it is a significant voice for a community that is often overlooked and unheard. I can’t imagine the gaping hole that would be left if Artists at Play did not exist today.”

Helen Ota, former Artistic Director of Cold Tofu Improv

“Artists At Play has proven to be an essential part of lifting up Asian American voices.  Their impeccable taste, dedication to the work, and support of artists makes them a wonderful playground for amazing work to develop, grow and launch into the world.  They are a small and mighty leadership team that understands artistry as well as the business side of producing.  That combination will ensure its sustainability and impact on the field both locally and nationally.  You must support this bold and brilliant organization as they continue to shape the Asian American voice one artist at a time.”

Randy Reyes, President of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists

“Artists at Play is a group with its feet firmly planted in the 21st Century, with eyes focused on the future, both for its art and for its audience. As a theatre with artists of color in its leadership, Artists at Play has a keen eye for works that speak to these emerging new audiences, both in content and in form. Los Angeles (and indeed, the country as a whole) has need of innovators in subject matter and approach; Artists at Play fulfills them well. It is an urgent task to connect with these audiences to represent their concerns for their sakes and the sake of other audiences (who are traditionally more represented), and Artists at Play has been an exemplary ambassador for this task.”

Roger Tang, Godfather of Asian American Theatre

“As an Asian American theater arts leader who has produced and directed Los Angeles theatre since the 1980s, I have seen first hand how the demographic landscape has changed. The stories about the Asian and Asian American experience have grown exponentially. Theatres and other performing organizations giving voice to these stories have become instrumental to make our community visible on such a large landscape. Artists at Play has embraced telling these stories from the perspective of a younger generation whose mission is to share a unique experience specific to the Asian American community but universal to all communities. Not an easy task. With a particular focus on diversity and inclusion, Artists at Play advances the American theatre in a way that courageously prepares our community for the future of all American theatres. We need to support this small but mighty theatre because Los Angeles will soon be a model city that displays a multitude of cultural hubs instead of a singular place to find the many voices of this vibrant City. Play a leading role in Artists at Play’s success.”

Tim Dang, former Producing Artistic Director of East West Players