WHO WE ARE | Artists at Play is a theatre-producing collective of Asian American creative professionals in the Los Angeles area. This fall, we will present the Los Angeles premiere of Cowboy Versus Samurai by Michael Golamco, directed by Artists at Play founding member Peter J. Kuo. 

Since our debut in 2011, we have garnered box office success with our inaugural production Ching Chong Chinaman as well as critical acclaim with our sophomore outing Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them (Ovation Recommended, GLAAD Media Award Nominee). In keeping with our mission statement of curating quality works missing from the local landscape, we are proud to share with you another Los Angeles premiere.

WHAT WE'RE DOING | On the heels of Year Zero at the Colony Theatre and Build at the Geffen Playhouse, Artists at Play is proud to present another Michael Golamco production. A comic re-imagining of Cyrano de Bergerac, Cowboy Versus Samurai revolves around Travis Park, the only Korean American living in Breakneck, Wyoming. While his friend Chester evokes an Asian American Che Guevara, pointing out the racial injustices in their small town, Travis couldn't care less. That is, until Korean American Veronica Lee comes to town. Before Travis can make a move, he learns she has a dating preference for white men like his good friend Del. But what happens when Veronica learns the letters from Del that stole her heart were actually penned by Travis? Through irony, humor and social commentary, Cowboy Versus Samurai exposes the struggle of Asian Americans to find their place in the vast American landscape… and with each other.

WHERE WE'LL BE | This year, Artists at Play will partner with Inner-City Arts and their performance space, The Rosenthal Theater. With this great new venue, we have challenged ourselves to elevate the quality of all production elements. Our show is set for a 4-weekend run from September through October 2013. We have set our fundraising goal for $6500, which will cover venue rental and rehearsal fees, along with stipends for our hardworking creative team and personnel. 

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MEANS | Artists at Play envisions a Los Angeles community where Asian Americans are recognized as both theatre-makers and theatre-goers. Our productions represent a new generation of voices in American theatre that transcend the label of "Asian American" or "minority." Your support for Cowboy Versus Samurai and Artists at Play will help promote more diversity and inclusion of Asian American artists and stories in the local theatre landscape. 

With our new show, we are proud to further contribute to the Los Angeles theatre community as we strive to create entertaining and challenging work that is accessible to anyone and everyone. Please note that through the fiscal sponsorship provided by Fractured Atlas, all donations are now tax-deductible. And we only have a little over two weeks to reach our goal. Even if you can’t contribute monetarily, please help us get the word out to your friends, family and colleagues who share our love of the arts. (Let’s make use of these handy Indiegogo share tools!)

As Artists at Play continues to grow and develop, we thank you for your support!

Photos: Artists at Play members, photo courtesy of M Palma Photography; Inner-City Arts Rosenthal Theater; Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them / Ching Chong Chinaman, photo courtesy of M Palma Photography.