National Asian American Theater Festival Announces Expansion

The 3rd National Asian American Theater Festival has partnered with two more organizations, including their productions in the 11-day festival. These partner productions include Grove Theater Center's A Book By its Cover by Damon Chua (June 24 - July 23) and Kollaboration's Acoustic 5 (June 17).

Set in 1996, the world premiere of A Book By its Cover tells the story of Millie Wu and her husband Greg who are living the American Dream in California. Meanwhile, her distant cousin is struggling to make ends meet in China. Millie explores the intricate paradox of being Chinese-American in a world where each country's fortune is ever changing. The play is written by Damon Chua winner of the 2007 LA Ovation Award for Best New Play.

Acoustic 5 features up-and-coming Asian/Pacific Islander musicians as they take to the stage for the chance to become the Kollaboration Acoustic 5 champion. Kollaboration is an Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organization and movement that was founded in 2000 by Executive Director Paul "PK" Kim. Kollaboration is an annual produced by young Asian and Pacific Islanders to celebrate the vast talents of their community and hopefully bring them into the mainstream.

These performances will expand on the already diverse programing that the festival is currently offering. The mix of Cambodian, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, South Asian and Thai performers that come from Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York represent the range of Asian Americans found across the nation. The festival will take place June 16-26 in Los Angeles, with the core of the performances happening June 23-26.