THEATRE FOR YOUTH TOUR 2026-2027
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM
Written by Rosie Narasaki
Directed by Khalif J. Gillett
ABOUT THE SHOW
First commissioned by East West Players in 2022, WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama through her friendship with Malcolm X, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism.
What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, L.L. Foundation for Youth, Cathay Bank Foundation, Green Foundation, The Sun Family Foundation, The Tsao Family Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture. East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Mark Edelman Theater Fund and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
MEET THE CAST
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Jade Duong (she/her) is honored to debut her journey with East West Players in a program and production she cares very deeply about. Having graduated from UC Riverside with degrees in Political Science and Theatre, she is very grateful to be telling Tam’s story today. Jade is a multi-faceted Vietnamese performer based in LA; doing film, theatre, commercials, and voiceover work. Recently, she was seen as Miss Honey (MATILDA), Joanne (RENT), and Kim (MISS SAIGON). Outside of her acting career, she is a Disneyland performer and proud dog mom.
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Gabby Montejo is thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut with East West Players in this powerful and inspiring piece. Montejo is originally from Palo Alto, California and recently earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting from Pepperdine University. During her time in university, some of her credits include PASSAGE (B) by Christopher Chen, LOST GIRL (Nina) by Kimberly Belflower, SILENT SKY (Margaret Leavitt) by Lauren Gunderson, and NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE US (Shy) by Lewis Hetherington, an original work on climate change and world premiere at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Montejo believes in the power of the arts to spark dialogue, inspire empathy, and create change. She is honored to join such a talented team and to take this show on tour. Endless thanks to her family and friends, and for your support in arts education. @gabby.montejo
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Nina Santoyo is an LA-born and based actor and Teaching Artist. A recent graduate from USC's School of Dramatic Arts, they have performed in Productions including WE, THE INVISIBLES, GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT, and various Hollywood Fringe productions. They are a nominee of Hollywood Fringe's Award for Immersive and Games category, and are so excited to share this story with you. They would like to thank their parents, sister, and loving husband for their never-ending support.
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Stephanie Lee is a theatre, film, and television actor based in Los Angeles. Tam Tran Goes to Washington is her East West Players debut. Recent stage credits include MAMA MAMA CAN’T YOU SEE and HUNNYSWEET with Coin & Ghost. She was a company member at The Actors' Gang for eight years, performing in THE NEW COLOSSUS (South American and U.S. tours, directed by Artistic Director and Academy Award winner Tim Robbins), THE GHOST SONATA, VIOLENCE: THE MISADVENTURES OF SPIKE SPANGLE FARMER, THE QUEEN FAMILY’S VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY SPECIAL, THE HOT CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY CLUB, AND APHRODITE’S HOLIDAY SHOW. Film/TV credits include EVERYBODY IS DOING GREAT (Apple TV), HIGH, WITHOUT REGRET (Amazon Prime), and LIFELIKE, along with national commercials. She directed the first high school production of David Henry Hwang’s YELLOW FACE at Culver City High School in collaboration with East West Players. Stephanie holds a BFA from Chapman University. @realstephanielee
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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alyssa graduated from AMDA College of the Performing Arts with a BFA in Musical Theater. She is honored to be a part of this production as a proud Mexican-Filipino American and 1st gen college graduate. Alyssa has a deep love for theater and has been performing from a young age. She is deeply happy to be making her L.A theater debut with the East West Players. She can be found via her Instagram @adorkable.amc
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Rica Anonas (she/her) is a Filipina American actress and intimacy/movement choreographer and is currently working on her MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre at Cal State LA. Some of her previous roles include: Tita in MOJADA: A MEDEA IN LOS ANGELES (Cal State LA), Dr. Violet Garcia in FOURTH PLANET (Fullerton College) and Irina in AS WE KNOW THEM (The Larking House). She is also a budding intimacy choreographer and most recently worked on ROMEO & JULIET at Fullerton College, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Long Beach City College, along with a few short films. She is excited and grateful for the opportunity to perform her first show with the East West Players and would like to thank her friends and family for their unwavering love and support.
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Pauline is elated to return to Theatre for Youth after appearing as Congresswoman Patsy Mink in last season's production of PATSY. She has an extensive commercial career and can be seen in ads for Volkswagen, Avocados from Mexico, State Farm, Google, Homes.com, and McDonalds, just to name a few. TV shows include CRIMINAL MINDS and BALLARD with Maggie Q. She is also a professional stand-up comedian and was finalist in the 2019 San Francisco Comedy Competition and winner of California's Funniest Female Competition in 2013.
COMPANY
PLAYWRIGHT
Rosie Narasaki
DIRECTOR
Khalif J. Gillett
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
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PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
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SOUND DESIGNER
Gavin Higa
COSTUME DESIGNER
Haley Rodriguez
SCENIC DESIGNER
Jacqueline Q. Estrada:
LIGHTING DESIGNER
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SENSITIVITY CONSULTANT
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DIALECT COACH
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PRODUCTION MANAGER
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TOUR COORDINATOR
Daniel Antonio Vallejo
TOUR CREW
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TOUR STAGE MANAGER(s)
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TOUR AUDIO ENGINEERS
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ADVISORIES
Content & Trigger Warning
This production discusses deportation, the struggles of living as an undocumented immigrant in the US, detention under ICE, and death caused by drunk driving.
We understand that this is the reality of many members in our community. Should you feel discomfort or distress, please feel free to step outside and take a break during the performance.
Our Study Guide is a tool that can be used to help facilitate important conversations, process these important themes, and provide resources to find support for yourself and others.
A Content Warning is a verbal or written notice that precedes potentially sensitive content, allowing for the viewer to prepare themselves so that they are able to engage or disengage with the content. Trigger warnings are of a more serious nature that may cause a physiological and/or psychological response, such as anxiety. There may be overlap between the two.
If you would like to learn more about the content warnings of this show, please reach out to boxoffice@eastwestplayers.org.
TAM TRAN GOES TO WASHINGTON PREMIERE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE • AUGUST 24, 2025 •
PHOTOS BY MIKE PALMA
