MediaRites Theatre Projects

Big News in October and January!

September 4, 2017

Two Theatre Diaspora members are working on Artists Repertory Theatre’s CAUGHT, a play by Christopher Chen that is also an art installation Oct. 1-29.

Dmae Roberts & Samson Syharath

Dmae Roberts (MediaRites executive producer) returns to acting in a full production with CAUGHT. Samson Syharath is the assistant director. Be sure to “catch” this unusual comedic, genre-bending production of live theatre and installation art. Ripped from the headlines of “fake news” CAUGHT brings to light themes of truth and deception in the worlds of art and journalism. CAUGHT also asks the question: “When does cultural appropriation begin?” Previews begin Oct. 1st and the show runs Wed-Sun till Oct. 29th.

Tickets on sale now at artistsrep.org. For more about CAUGHT, visit: http://www.artistsrep.org/onstage/201718-season/caught/

Also in January…The Brothers Paranormal.

Save the Date for
The Brothers Paranormal
by

Prince Gomolvilas

A workshop staged reading
Directed by Kate Duffly
January 18-21, 2018
at PSU’s Lincoln Hall, Boiler Room Theatre

Cast includes: Samson Syharath, Elaine Low, Josie Seid, Jasper Howard, Melissa Magana and Savira Kambhu. With original music performed by Joe Kye.

Synopsis: Two Thai-American brothers launch a ghost-hunting business in order to capitalize on the nationwide increase in sightings of Asian-looking ghosts. When the siblings end up investigating the home of an African American couple who claim to be haunted by one very terrifying spirit, everyone’s notions of reality, fantasy, and sanity clash against the shocking truth. At its heart this play is an modern allegory about grief, loss and healing for communities of color. Keep posted on our site for updates! www.TheatreDiaspora.org

The Language Archive

February 24, 2016

MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora presents The Language Archive, a poignant comedy about dying languages and difficulties of love by award-winning playwright and television writer Julia Cho.

Dmae Roberts, executive producer of MediaRites, directs the cast: Tonya Jone Miller (previously in Breaking Glass), Leo Lin, Sofia May-Cuxim, Enrique E. Andrade, Wynee Hu (Theatre Diaspora producing ensemble member), and singer/musician Partfait Bassale (narrating and providing musical accompaniment.)

In The Language Archive, a language archivist is consumed by the preserving and documenting the dying languages from far-flung countries. Closer to home, however, he can’t communicate with his frustrated wife, nor deal with the deep feelings his lab assistant has for him.

The performance will open at 2pm on March 26th at Portland Center Stage (128 NW Eleventh Avenue, Portland, OR 97209) and will close at 2pm on April 2nd at the Milagro Theatre (525 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214).

Tickets are $8 each. They can be purchased at pcs.org for the 2pm March 26th show at Portland Center Stage, and at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2510978 (service charge added) for the 2pm April 2nd show at the Milagro Theatre.

The Sound of a Voice (October 2015)

September 24, 2015

MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora, presents the last play of the 2015 season: The Sound of a Voice by noted playwright, David Henry Hwang (best known for M. Butterfly, which received the 1988 Tony Award for Best Play, and for Chinglish produced at Portland Center Stage).

“Washer/Dryer” Reading with Theatre Diaspora

April 27, 2017

Washer/Dryer by Nandita Shenoy

May 14th at 7:00 p.m. & May 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Ellyn Bye Studio

During May, Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Media Rites’ Theatre Diaspora Project’s new season begins with an enhanced staged reading directed by company member Samson Syharath. Cast includes Anthony Lam, Sarika Mehta, Elaine Low, Dmae Roberts and Mathew Sepeda.In this light-hearted romantic comedy, interethnic newlyweds Sonya and Michael would love nothing more than to live happily ever after in Sonya’s single occupant New York co-op apartment (with built-in washer and dryer). Standing in their way, however, are Michael’s meddling mother, Sonya’s nosy co-op manager, and a litany of other squabbles they must overcome to save their relationship.

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit pcs.org/blog/washer-dryer-reading-with-theatre-diaspora

The Language Archive

February 24, 2016

MediaRites’ Theatre Diaspora presents The Language Archive, a poignant comedy about dying languages and difficulties of love by award-winning playwright and television writer Julia Cho.

Volcano Embrace (1999)

February 7, 2015

By Dmae Roberts

Directed by Carolyn Holzman

A collage play with movement, music and sound, Volcano Embrace was performed by Dmae Roberts, Elaine Low, Mary Jo AbiNader, Wendy Graybill, and Sharon McAllister under the direction and choreography of Carolyn Holzman at Dreams Well Studio, November, 1999.

Hawaiian music was by Sam Kama, original music by Stephen Hoyt, lighting design by Sharon McAllister and set design by Jeri Swatosh.

Tongue of a Bird (2000)

January 23, 2015

By Ellen McLaughlin

Directed by Carmela Lanza-Weil

This multi-ethnic production revolves around the character of Maxine (Sherry Okamura), a search and rescue pilot hired by Dessa (Ithica Tell), a mother whose twelve-year-old daughter, Charlotte (Angela Rollins), has been abducted. Maxine’s search for the girl parallels her search for her own mother, Evie, (Julie Cowden) appearing as a ghostly Amelia Earhart figure throughout. Maxine must also care for her elder Grandmother (Trish Egan) while searching for the lost girl.

The Time Between (2001-2002)

January 19, 2015

Written by Sharon Whitney, Ellen West, Cindy McGean, Vicente Guzman-Orozco and Dmae Roberts

Directed by Carmela Lanza-Weil

Lanza-Weil gathered some of the best talent in Portland to collaborate on this original collage play with Playwrights Sharon Whitney, Ellen West, Cindy McGean, Vicente Guzman-Orozco and Dmae Roberts. This team of commissioned writers created a play based on material gathered from a series of workshops at the Dougy Center and Grief Watch about the theme “What Hurts, What Helps” in overcoming loss and grief.

Lady Buddha (1997-2001)

December 6, 2014

By Dmae Roberts

Directed by Carmela Lanza-Weil

Dmae Roberts, Ping Khaw-Sutherland and Elaine Low presented a series of 40-minute readings from the stage play Lady Buddha at Multnomah County libraries during Asian Heritage month in May 2001.Those who enjoyed the MediaRites production in June 1997 at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center featuring stories of Kuan Yin, the Asian Goddess of compassion and mercy now have a chance to see the new version of the play.