4 episodes

Hosted by theatre professionals, Jonathan Castanien and Peter J. Kuo, Not So Ancient is a podcast that looks back at the history of Asian American Drama. Every episode follows a conversation with the duo, joined by a guest, after having read a play written by an Asian American playwright that was first produced more than 10 years ago. Join our hosts on a deep dive into the not so ancient Asian American theatre canon as they discuss plots, themes, history, and community through a play each episode.

Not So Ancient Not So Ancient

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 12 Ratings

Hosted by theatre professionals, Jonathan Castanien and Peter J. Kuo, Not So Ancient is a podcast that looks back at the history of Asian American Drama. Every episode follows a conversation with the duo, joined by a guest, after having read a play written by an Asian American playwright that was first produced more than 10 years ago. Join our hosts on a deep dive into the not so ancient Asian American theatre canon as they discuss plots, themes, history, and community through a play each episode.

    EP 8: Durango by Julia Cho; guest Carolina Do

    EP 8: Durango by Julia Cho; guest Carolina Do

    Actress Carolina Do talks with Peter and Jonathan about "Durango" by Julia Cho. In the episode the trio digs into Cho's family drama and the revealing road trip her characters take. The sibling dynamics and immigrant parent ticks all resonate as they find brilliant nuance in the cultural markers of the play.

    • 1 hr 13 min
    Ep 7: Tea by Velina Hasu Houston; guests Chantel King & Joanne Pan

    Ep 7: Tea by Velina Hasu Houston; guests Chantel King & Joanne Pan

    This time Not So Ancient looks at "Tea" by Velina Hasu Houston and not only has one, but TWO guests joining in on the discussion. Production manager, Chantel King, and stage manager, Joanne Pan, share their thoughts on Houston's drama about the Japanese war wives following World War II. Culture shock, assimilation, and the obligation of culture are woven through out the narrative giving the four fuel to talk about what it means to be Asian American.

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Ep 6: Flipzoids by Ralph B. Peña; guest Sanaz Toossi

    Ep 6: Flipzoids by Ralph B. Peña; guest Sanaz Toossi

    Playwright, Sanaz Toossi joins Jonathan and Peter as they all discuss Ralph B. Peña's "Flipzoids." A play about three Filipinx characters during 1985 navigating what it means to assimilate and be an American. The three Southern Californians delve deeply into the culture and implications of Orange County as a setting, the intricacies of "immigrant plays," and Sanaz reads a few problematic excerpts from past reviews of the play.

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Ep 5: Fish Head Soup by Philip Kan Gotanda; guest Randy Reyes

    Ep 5: Fish Head Soup by Philip Kan Gotanda; guest Randy Reyes

    Not So Ancient's second episode recorded in Chicago at the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists' Con/Fest 2018! Artistic Director, actor, director, and CAATA Board President Randy Reyes joins in the conversation around Philip Kan Gotanda's family drama, "Fish Head Soup."

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

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