Cultures mix, match and clash at the University of Kansas in the early 1980s. Jerome, a second-year graduate student, is a third-generation Japanese-American from Hawaii. His roommate Yan is Taiwanese and still struggling comically with the English language. They meet the outgoing and assertive Cathy, born and raised in the Midwest, and her roommate Rei, a Japanese national who speaks English well but with an accent. As the four spend time together, they attempt to surmount difficulties created not only by language barriers but also by national identities and cultural mores. Jerome is self-conscious about others' interpretations of his Japanese appearance outside of Hawaii. He begins a relationship with Cathy but is later drawn to Rei, who is pressured by her parents about being with Jerome because, to Japanese people, he is a foreigner. As the school year progresses, the friends' mutual understanding grows, but not without difficulties. Mainland Education is a Kumu Kahua world premiere.
James Nakamoto will direct the production, with set design by Melissa Cozza, costumes by Dusty Behner, light design by Abel Dulles-Coelho, Make-Up & Hair by Mish Umipeg, Stage Manager is Denise-Aiko Chinen and the Assistant Director is Denny Hironaga, Sound Design by Stu Hirayama. The cast features: Kathy Hunter, Julie Nakamoto, Shiro Kawai, Christopher Takemoto-Gentile, and Tyler Tanabe.
Kumu Kahua's 100-seat playhouse puts you at the heart of the drama. And
with well over 100 plays to our credit, our reputation attracts some of
Hawaii's most talented actors, directors, playwrights, designers and other
theater artists and technicians.
