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East West Players, in co-production with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is Seeking AEA & Non Union Actors For Principal and Understudy Roles.

Casting Notice For:

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song

Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by David Henry Hwang

Based on the original book by

Oscar Hammerstein II and Joseph Fields

Based on the novel by C.Y. Lee

Directed by Lily Tung Crystal

Music Direction by Marc Macalintal

PRODUCTION DATES:

Rehearsals Begin: Mar 10, 2026

Tech Begins: Apr 7, 2026

Previews: Apr 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 2026

Opening Night: Apr 23, 2026

Closing: May 31, 2026

BRIEF OVERVIEW:

This captivating tale will receive a newly updated book for 2026 by the Tony Award-winning playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and EWP theater namesake David Henry Hwang. At a time when conversations about identity and cultural preservation are more important than ever, Hwang’s reworking of the book for the Spring 2026 production allows Asian Americans to reclaim this cherished story in a meaningful way, illuminating the complexities and richness of the community’s continuous evolution.

Flower Drum Song pulls back the curtain on themes of assimilation and tradition in 1960’s San Francisco Chinatown as Mei-li, a young Chinese opera artist fleeing communism, arrives in America, where she is immediately drawn into the dazzling world of the Grant Avenue nightclubs.

EQUITY/ NON-EQUITY RATE:

AEA performers are paid the LORT B $1144 weekly minimum.

Non-union performers are paid an hourly rate of $20.00 for rehearsals through tech. Performances are a 4-hour minimum call.

AUDITION DATES:

EPA/ECC Singer: 11/15/25 12:00 - 4:00pm

Appointments: 11/15/25 5:00pm - 8:00pm & 11/16/25 12:00 - 8:00pm

ECC Dance: 11/17/25 2:00pm & 4:00pm

Callbacks: 12/1 & 12/2 Time TBD

APPOINTMENTS:

No appointment is needed to attend the EPA and ECCs. To schedule an appointment please email: casting@eastwestplayers.org with preferred time frame(s). If you do not receive an appointment, you are welcome to come to the EPA or ECCs. If you have a profile, you may also submit via Actors Access / Breakdown Services.

Appointments will begin to go out 11/4 & 11/5.

NON EQUITY:

We will be accommodating non-union actors at all AEA auditions (EPA & ECC). Depending on the amount of walk-ins we will do our best to see everyone.

VIDEO:

We are accepting video submissions from local AEA and Non Union actors who are unavailable during our initial auditions. Please see the details below.

AUDITION LOCATIONS:

EPA / Appointments November 15 & 16 

East West Players

120 Judge John Aiso Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

ECC Dance November 17 

Aratani Theater

244 San Pedro St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

PERSONNEL & VIEWING AUDITIONS:

Lily Tung Crystal, Director / Artistic Director

Marc Macalintal, Music DIrector

TBD, Choreographer

Allen Lucky Weaver, Casting Director

Andrew Lederman, Accompanist

AUDITION PREPARATION:

Prepare a short song in the style of the show. Singing from the show is encouraged. No longer than one minute.

SELF TAPE GUIDELINES:

Slate: Please state your name, preferred pronouns, union status, and where you are based. When submitting a video, please send your audition via a Youtube / Vimeo link. *For your privacy, don’t forget to set your video preferences to unlisted. We will not accept video attachments to emails. Shorts or social media reels are not accepted and will not be viewed. If filming from a smart device, we advise to film horizontally, against a plain backdrop / background and from the waist up.

TAPES DUE BY:

We kindly ask to have your self tape submitted to casting@eastwestplayers.org no later than Friday - November 14th by 12:00pm PST. Please include any Dance / Movement Reels. Feel free to follow up with any questions or concerns.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:

Asian American / Asian / AANHPI identifying actors are encouraged to audition.

MEI LI

20s, Asian, Female Identifying. A new immigrant from China, Wu Mei-Li treasures her flower drum, a memory of her dear father. Traditional and modest, but strong-willed and determined, she is fascinated by Linda and Ta and their American ways. She falls for Ta and gradually becomes more acclimated to American customs while maintaining respect for her past.

WANG CHI-YANG / SAMMY FONG

50-60s, Asian, Male Identifying. A Chinese opera actor and immigrant to San Francisco, Wang Chi-Yang runs the Golden Pearl Theater in Chinatown. The oldest friend of Mei-Li’s father, Wang lost his wife on their journey to the U.S. and has raised his son alone. Though he first clings to his mission to perform traditional Chinese opera, he later embraces the razzle-dazzle of American show biz, renaming the theater “Club Chop Suey” and performing as “Sammy Fong.”

WANG TA

20s, Asian, Male Identifying. Wang’s Chinese American son, Ta has been performing in his father’s Chinese opera for years in traditional women’s roles. Infatuated with Linda Low, he nonetheless finds himself smitten by Mei-Li’s beauty, sincerity, and honesty. Still, he keeps his distance, and nearly loses the great love of his life. Despite conflict with his father, Ta is a loyal son and a good man.

LINDA LOW

20-30s, Asian, Female Identifying. A Chinese American cabaret performer, Linda is a fiery, confident American who embraces her femininity and sex appeal as sources of power. A knockout performer, she incorporates Mei-Li’s ideas into her act and wows the audience with her engaging numbers. Savvy in matters of the heart, she helps Mei-Li and Ta find romance.

MADAME RITA LIANG

40s-60s, Asian, Female Identifying. A Chinese American talent agent, Rita Liang is an ambitious businesswoman with a big personality. She has a vision to transform Golden Pearl into the hottest nightspot in Chinatown, and later to franchise the clubs all over the country. Strong and independent, she is wary of pursuing a relationship with Sammy Fong, despite their mutual attraction.

CHIN

60s, Asian, Male Identifying. An old family friend of the Wangs, Chin is a wise Chinese man. He is amused by Linda and Ta’s new approach to Nightclub Night, and helps guide Ta toward true happiness with Mei-Li.

HARVARD 

20s, Asian, Male Identifying. A young Chinese American man, Harvard is so eager to perform at Club Chop Suey that he agrees to make costumes in exchange for a featured spot. Unfortunately, he’s not quite talented enough to pull off the big sailor number.

CHAO HAI-LUNG

20s-30s, Asian, Male Identifying. A new immigrant from China with traditional ideals, Chao met Mei-Li on their trip overseas. After getting a job in a fortune cookie factory, he pursues Mei-Li romantically, asking her to return to China with him.

ENSEMBLE

Asian, all genders and ages. Performers to play Citizens of the People's Republic of China, Mei-Li's Father, Soldiers, Refugees, Chinese Opera Company Members, Immigrants, Showgirls, Chorus Boys, Citizens of San Francisco Chinatown, and various other ensemble roles.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Allen Lucky Weaver, Casting Director

casting@eastwestplaters.org

East West Players, commits to be inclusive and seeks to cast a diverse group of actors within the needs of each production. We encourage performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition. 

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion.

We kindly ask to keep communication with the email address provided above. Please do not solicit any of the creative team’s personal contacts such as personal or work emails, phone numbers, or social media profiles. Doing so will take you out of consideration for this casting process.