I write plays to give more Filipino American and other theatre artists of color the opportunity to share their talent, experience, and skills to tell stories not seen or heard through mainstream media. By crafting these perspectives for the stage, it’s my goal that more audiences of ethnic and socio-econimic backgrounds will share an experience that will foster community, dialogue, and understanding amongst each other. Over my 30 years of being a playwright, I have found that this goal was achieved by my focus on taking historical events, like the Watsonville Riots in STANDING ABOVE PAJARO, the 1965 Grape Strike in WELGA, and the murder of Vincent Chin, in DARYO’S ALL-AMERICAN DINER, and distilling the human emotions, cultural nuances, optimism of how my characters learn from the legacy that others went through during these times, find their internal resistance to their opposing forces, and eventually evolve their beliefs to create a world in which we all want and yearn to live in. A world without fear, hate, and apathy. A world with understanding, laughter, and community.
