East West Players & Asian American Museum of Orange County Held OC Premiere of TAM TRAN GOES TO WASHINGTON

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running Asian American theater and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works, in partnership with Asian American Museum of Orange County, recently presented the Orange County premiere of playwright Elizabeth Wong’s TAM TRAN GOES TO WASHINGTON.

Directed by Rona Par, the play was performed at The Mix Academy at Newsong Church, located at 1010 West 17th Street in Santa Ana. The program included the performance, a post-show panel discussion, and a reception with light fare catered by Flavors from Afar, a woman- and refugee-led social enterprise rooted in Southern California. This performance’s cast included Stephanie Lee as Tam Tran, Nina Santoyo as Cinthya Felix, and Pauline Yasuda as Mom.

Jack Toan, principal with the JT Consulting Group and director of the Asian American Museum of Orange County, opened the discussion. Dr. Thuy Vo Dang, assistant professor of Information Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA, moderated a fireside chat that included Ash Alvandi, vice president of Orange County at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, and Michael Matsuda, superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District.

The play, which is East West Players’ 2025-26 Theatre for Youth touring production, tells the story of Vietnamese American Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who grew up in Garden Grove and attended Santa Ana College. The often-quiet student usually prefers to stay behind the camera but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya Felix by her side, Tam's quiet life changes over night as she's called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.

“Through the Theatre for Youth tour, East West Players has created a space to humanize and engage in dialogue about immigration reform,” said EWP Arts Education Director Carolina San Juan, who originally commissioned the piece in 2018. “The presence of this play is timely…we at EWP feel a responsibility to continue our work in social justice and awareness. As arts educators, we see time and time again, that youth are leading the way for social equity and we are honored to be able to produce art that highlights youth that have led a way, especially for undocumented students.”

I had the privilege to experience the first tour in 2018 before I was a staff member, and I had always felt it was important to bring this story back for more audiences to see. At EWP it is our mission to advocate for a world free of racism and discrimination, and this especially includes our undocumented neighbors, friends, and family. The Theatre for Youth tour and its unique ability to bring stories directly into the community is even more critical today, as people have felt that their sense of safety and belonging has been threatened.”

“The steering committee of the Asian American Museum is delighted that our organization partnered with East West Players for this important event as it underscores one of our primary goals which is building bridges between communities through a shared understanding of the Asian American journey,” said Toan.

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About East West Players

Based in Downtown Los Angeles' Little Tokyo, East West Players is the nation's longest-running AAPINH theater and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works. Founded in 1965, EWP raises the visibility of the Asian American experience by presenting inventive world-class theatrical productions, developing artists of color, and providing impactful youth education programs.

About Theatre for Youth

Theatre for Youth is supported in part by California Arts Council, a state agency; 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 2025 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.

About Asian American Museum of Orange County

The Asian American Museum is establishing a new museum in the Great Park. This museum will be an inclusive and vibrant hub where Asian American communities can immerse themselves in their cultural heritage, commemorate traditions, and exchange narratives. With captivating exhibits, enlightening educational initiatives, and lively community gatherings, the museum endeavors to foster connection and understanding within and beyond its walls.