Trigger Warning

Cambodian Rock Band is a story that deals with intense physical and emotional trauma. Some scenes portray intense violence and death. As such, we recommend anyone sensitive to such material proceed with caution. 

Mission Statement: Why We Are Performing Cambodian Rock Band 

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reports of genocide, as well as the numerous reports of violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States, it is more relevant than ever to detail the genocides of the past, as they offer an insight into the actions and motivations of aggressors today. Such an opportunity presents itself in Cambodian Rock Band, which tells the terrifying nature of the Cambodian Genocide. This play shares the life of Chum, a Cambodian refugee who escaped to America in 1978. Decades later, he returns to Cambodia with his daughter, where she uncovers his horrific past, linked to the Cambodian Genocide, through rock music. If there is one thing we as theater artists must remind ourselves of during this tumultuous time of pandemic and war, it is that through art, we can understand one another. There are traumas that cultures and individuals experience daily, but by sharing those traumas, we can become stronger. 

Location and Dates of Performance

This production of Cambodian Rock Band will debut on August 1st, 2022. It will run until September 8th, 2022. There will be shows available every Thursday through Sunday anytime through the aforementioned dates. It will premier at the Circle X Theater at 3269 Casitas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039.

Purpose of Location and Cost 

Cambodian Rock Band will be performed by the Circle X Theater Company in Los Angeles, California. This group was chosen for their willingness to choose emotionally and imaginative theater that does not have nationwide notoriety. Although this play premiered at the South Coast Repertory in 2018, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not able to make the original touring rounds through California as it had originally hoped. Nonetheless, the location of Los Angeles was chosen as it has over 450,000 AAPI citizens, and it is a city that has seen a drastic increase in violence towards that group in the last two years. The price of a ticket for the performance will be $15 to cover production costs. Circle X Theater Company is a non-profit organization, and as such, the tickets are priced to cover cost only. 

Logistics of Performance 

This production of Cambodian Rock Band will be performed in the theater of the round to accommodate the layout of the space and to create a more immersive venue. Furthermore, there will be a full multi-color lighting system with a live band played by the performers. For the set, because of the dual-timeline nature of the story, there will be a different backside to the set that will be rotated to accommodate the proper moment in the story. 

Uniqueness of Performance 

Unlike performances of Cambodian Rock Band in Santa Ana or San Diego, this production will feature a sizable ensemble cast that will add to the ambiance and intensity of the story. For example, when the story details the historical events of the Fall of Phnom Penh, the ensemble will act as the aggressors and civilians, creating a more authentic environment for the audience to experience the fear that comes with a mass social uprising. Moreover, this large ensemble will add to the energy of the performance and help the show come back with a powerful message after being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Talkback Post Performance

After Sunday matinee performances of Cambodian Rock Band, the theater will welcome Jennifer Lau and Dr. Ian Coller to the space. Lao is an author and survivor of the Cambodian Genocide who will discuss her experience with the Khmer Rouge (the perpetrators of the genocide) and how Cambodian Rock Band portrayed the reality she lived through. To facilitate and add to the discussion, Dr. Ian Coller from the University of California, Irvine will also be present. While a portion of his instruction focuses on French studies, he  he also instructs a class on the history of genocides after 1944. He is extremely knowledgeable about how to discuss genocides and will be able to guide the conversation in a direction that will bring about a meaningful dialogue. 

Creative Team: 

Circle X Theatre Company is honored to announce that Jon M. Chu will be involved in the creative process of this production. He will serve as the director of Cambodian Rock Band, bringing his experience of directing one of Hollywood’s only all-Asian blockbusters, Crazy Rich Asians, and his musical expertise from directing Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights. Although the rehearsal process with Chu will be quick (around 8 weeks), his knowledge will be invaluable to the technical crew and cast. While Circle X has an incredibly talented creative team, none of them are of similar notoriety to Mr. Chu. 

Final Message 

Cambodian Rock Band is a truly unique performance that combines the horrors of genocide with the emotion of a powerful rock song. The energy and emotions you will experience after just seeing a few minutes of this production will allow you to truly understand the plight of AAPI members and victims of genocide around the world. Although the tickets are $15, the understanding and memories you will get from seeing this story are limitless. 

Mission Statement: Why We Are Performing American Son

Even after the horrific death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter protests against systemic racism that followed, and the decades of racial discrimination, the United States is still grappling with basic equality. Though the solution and discussions required seem obvious, it can be hard to navigate this tumultuous and sensitive topic with a diverse and independent-minded population as found in the United States. For that reason, the Goodman Theatre Company has decided to produce American Son. Our company hopes to use this simple story to speak to a hurt and divided society. It follows an estranged, bi-racial couple’s long conversation and experience with their son being detained after a traffic stop encounter . By having one of the partners share their experience as an African American and the other as a White American, the story allows both to share their experience with race in America and to communicate with each other at a level normally not possible. The solution and ending that they come to reveals the importance and relevance of this story. 

Location and Dates of Performance

This production of American Son will be put on by the Goodman Theatre Company and 

will take place in downtown Chicago at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60601. Our company was chosen for this production because of its diverse range of performances and actors. Moreover, the Goodman Theatre Company has a nearly 100-year history in Chicago, making it a cornerstone of theater in the city. For American Son, there will be performances every Thursday through Saturday from May 25th to June 19th, 2023. The reason for these dates is because May 25th will be the third anniversary of George Floyd’s unjust murder by a police altercation, and June 19th is Juneteeth: a holiday that celebrates the final emancipation of African slaves in America. Both dates hold significance for racial discrimination in the United States, and it feels proper to start and end our production about racial bias in America on these eventful anniversaries. 

Purpose of Location and Cost 

Chicago was chosen for this production of American Son because of its greatly diverse population. With one of the largest concentrations of African Americans the United States amidst a large percentage of White Americans, it is the perfect location for the message of unity that this story entails. American Son should not just be played for a Black or White audience. It should be performed for audiences with diversified backgrounds as its message is meant for all people. Moreover, to accommodate as many people as possible, the tickets will be priced at $30. Goodman Theatre is fortunate enough to be able to do this as a non-profit company. 

Logistics of Performance 

This production of American Son will be performed in a massive proscenium space to take advantage of the venue that the Goodman Theatre Company owns. While the show is not grandiose or over the top, the large space of the Goodman Theatre will still amplify the actor’s emotions. As such, the lighting system and set will be simple since the story takes place at one location; the emphasis is the reality the story presents. As such, less focus is placed on technical feats. In fact, the set will be painted in a monotone, gray color scheme to contrast the dark, dreary reality with the vibrant and hopeful future of America. This minimalistic yet enthralling aesthetic only makes American Son a more enjoyable piece of theatre. 

Uniqueness of Performance 

Unlike previous performances of American Son, this production will include some script alterations in order to accommodate recent social movements, like Black Lives Matter. This will add a refreshing feeling of modernity to the play that has, unfortunately, aged rather quickly due to the racial turmoil in the United States. While not making any plot changing alterations, small inclusions will propel the play back into the present, reiterating its unifying theme. 

Talkback Post Performance

While a talkback after a sensitive performance such as this would be highly beneficial, the creative team has agreed that the message will be more powerful if left up to interpretation. At times, driving a point too hard can damage the impact it will have. Moreover, the brevity of the event should be attractive to those with a busy schedule, allowing even more people to view the performance. 

Final Message

American Son is a truly beautiful piece of theater that you will deeply regret missing if you do not see this performance. The story gets to the core of what divides people in the United States and tries to help heal the large wound left by years of horrific and complicated history. While this one play will not solve any massive problems in America, it will help us better understand each other to move towards a better, brighter future.