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?
YURI KOCHIYAMA’S LIFETIME OF ACTIVISM
Click below to find out how Yuri Kochiyama’s 50 years of activism was informed and practiced.
Original air date: April 1st, 2021
Civil rights activist Yuri Kochiyama lived a life dedicated to social justice for people of all backgrounds. Not only a pillar of the Asian-American movement, she also fought for Black liberation and the rights of political prisoners.
For more Information: Our Own People: Throughline
TOUR PROGRAM AND STUDY GUIDE COMING SOON!
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, The Walt Disney Company, 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 • COMING SOON!
COMPANY
PLAYWRIGHT
Rosie Narasaki
DIRECTOR
Khalif J. Gillett
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Rachel Frost
ARTS ED COORDINATOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Larry Mayorquin
PRODUCTION MANAGER
John Miyasaki
INTERIM MANAGING DIRECTOR
Armando Huipe
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Josh Bennett
EWP ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
2026-27 TOUR COORDINATOR
Daniel Antonio Vallejo
COSTUME DESIGNER
Haley Rodriguez
SCENIC DESIGNER
Jacqueline Q. Estrada:
SOUND DESIGNER
AUDIO ENGINEER
Gavin Higa
STAGE MANAGER
Levi Angel Garcia
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
HEAD CARPENTER
Peter Matsumoto
CULTURAL CONSULTANT
TBD
SENSITIVITY CONSULTANT
TBD
ALT. STAGE MANAGERS
Christina Otarola
Ashley Macalino
Vivi Le
Joanna Lopez
TOUR CREW
Christina Otarola
Gavin Higa
Haley Melendez
Jay Maheia
Sol Joun
ADVISORIES
Content & Trigger Warning
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.
VIEW PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR’S THEATRE FOR YOUTH TOURTAM TRAN GOES TO WASHINGTON
PREMIERE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
AUGUST 24, 2025 • PHOTOS BY MIKE PALMA
Want to bring our Theatre For Youth Tour to your venue?
Contact Arts Education & Professional Enrichment Programs Director, Jade Cagalawan for more information.
