Our Perspective: Asian American Plays
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      • Nov 2020: Fragmented
      • Oct 2019: Horror & Comedy Plays
      • May 2019: Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon
      • Jan 2019: Four Short Plays
      • Oct 2018: First Data Gold
      • Aug 2018: Short Plays About Acts of Revolution
      • May 2018: A Solo Show & A Full Length Play
      • Feb 2018: Five Short Plays
    • 2020 Virtual Panels
    • 2021 Events
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For 2018 and 2019 events, see here. In 2021, Our Perspective offered one online playwriting class that quickly sold out. Stay tuned for more programming, soon!

​2020 Events
Two virtual panels. Two online writing classes.
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​A production of FRAGMENTED by Karissa Murrell Myers.
​A live, Q&A talkback.

  • Virtual Panel with Chicago AAPI Theatre Artists: July 12
  • Online Writing Class for Tai People: Aug 4 - Sept 8​
  • Virtual Panel with Chicago AAPI Theatre Artists: Aug 12
  • Online BIPOC Playwriting Class: Sept 15 - Oct 6
  • A production of the play, FRAGMENTED: Nov 16-26
  • A live, Q&A talkback Nov 20


A Virtual Panel With Chicago AAPI Theatre Artists:
Round One ​took place July 15, 2020.
​Watch it here.

Screen and Stage Writing Fundamentals:
​A Course Exclusively for Tai People

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Have you ever wanted to write a movie or TV script? Or write a play for stage? Learn how in this private class offered to all people of Tai descent (Tai Dam, Tai Daeng, and Tai Don, etc.), including mixed race, adoptees, and international citizens. It will be held virtually and the class can be taken from wherever you live. No writing experience is needed to take this course. Learn how to tell your stories on stage or screen, authentically from your own culture’s perspective.

Fundamentals of Writing for the Screen and Stage is an online, six week introductory course that teaches the basic concepts of screenwriting and playwriting, with an emphasis on storytelling and dramatic structure. Students will learn how the core concepts of plot, character, and conflict can be used to tell universal stories, as well as express one’s personal vision. Through screenings, readings, discussions, workshops, and writing assignments, students will practice key skills that will enable them to write their own stories.

Online class dates are August 4 - September 8, 7-9:30PM. Class is limited to 10 students and will be held online. The class value is $200, but if you require a sliding scale payment or scholarship, email hello@our-perspective.com. Register here. 

​Your instructor is Melissa Kong. Melissa is a comedy/dramedy writer from Chicago. She focuses on character-driven content filled with humor and hope that is insightful and entertaining. Like her writing, she can be silly yet profound. She wears her heart on the page and probably a food stain on her shirt. Her writing has placed in several competitions. Highlights include Wonderful World (CAPE List, PAGE semi-finalist), Tina Fey is My Friend (Nicholl Fellowship top 10%, Austin Film Festival semi-finalist), Superior (Austin Film Festival semi-finalist). She earned her MFA in Writing for the Screen & Stage from Northwestern University. 

Special thanks to cultural consultant Matsalyn Brown from The University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Presented by Our Perspective: Asian American Plays in Chicago, IL. Our Perspective is part of the Arts Incubator Program of AIRMW and recipient of a DCASE grant. ​

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A Virtual Panel With Chicago AAPI Theatre Artists: ​Round Two
Livestreamed on Facebook & YouTube. August 12, 2020. 6-7PM CT

Watch this panel here.

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BIPOC Playwrights Perspective: An Introduction

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Craft, Voice and Vision: Creating Art, Creating Change
This introductory playwriting course taught by Sue Pak is designed for BIPOC writers to develop their individual theatrical voice through writing a ten minute play. Through the practice of writing and investigating works by and about playwrights of color, students will (1) learn the fundamentals of play construction and theory, (2) explore the elements of dramatic tension, and (3) develop a work that best expresses their authentic voice.
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By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Write a ten minute play using proper style and format.
2. Generate character-driven stories that will engage an audience.
3. Provide and receive constructive feedback in order to achieve their best work.
We are at a moment in history when supporting and promoting traditionally marginalized voices is more crucial than ever. As BIPOC artists, we must resist systemic oppression, by actively creating and disseminating those stories that must be told.

The course is four classes, September 15th-October 6th, 7-9PM, with no drop-ins. We'll meet via Google Meet, you'll receive a link and details before the first class. The course value is $120. If you're unable to pay full price, you may qualify for a sponsored scholarship or sliding scale tuition. To apply, email us with an essay of 200 words or less describing your intention behind wanting to write plays and explain your ability to pay. Scholarships and tuition sliding scale awards will be distributed based on merit and order of receipt until funds are exhausted.

Class is limited to 12 participants.​ Sign up here. Sponsor a playwright here.


FRAGMENTED

Learn more about this one-time-only production on November 16, 2020 by Karissa Murrell Myers here. Karissa is the 2020 Our Perspective Playwright in Residence.

The Our Perspective team includes executive producer Mia Park and producers Karissa Murrell Myers, Sydney Mercado, and Stephen George. Karissa Murrell Myers also serves as casting director.
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​© 2021 Our Perspective: Asian American Plays​
Contact Us |​ Donate

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Our Perspective began as an Arts Initiatives Program of Asian Improv aRts Midwest.
  • Home
  • Past Events
    • Plays >
      • Nov 2020: Fragmented
      • Oct 2019: Horror & Comedy Plays
      • May 2019: Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon
      • Jan 2019: Four Short Plays
      • Oct 2018: First Data Gold
      • Aug 2018: Short Plays About Acts of Revolution
      • May 2018: A Solo Show & A Full Length Play
      • Feb 2018: Five Short Plays
    • 2020 Virtual Panels
    • 2021 Events
  • News
    • Press
  • About