Paper Dream Tour

I plan to produce the World Premiere of Paper Dream in Chinatown, Manhattan and Flushing, Queens. Written by NYC‑based Chinese playwright Lyra N, Paper Dream illuminates a powerful chapter of AAPI history rooted in the legacy of Angel Island—often called the “Ellis Island of the West”—where Chinese immigrants were detained under the Chinese Exclusion Act. The play brings forward stories long erased from mainstream American narratives, offering AAPI audiences a chance to reconnect with their heritage and the immigration experiences of their ancestors. Its themes resonate deeply today, reflecting the emotional realities of leaving home, surviving xenophobia, and navigating the fragile promise of “freedom” in America.

The play centers on four Chinese women from different social classes who find themselves detained together in an immigration facility. Forced into close quarters under unfamiliar and often hostile circumstances, they struggle to hold on to their identities, social norms, and cultural traditions. Their isolation is profound, yet through shared hardship—and ultimately through tragedy—they discover that community and connection are essential to their survival.

A central goal of this project is to bring theater directly to communities that rarely have access to it. As an Asian American artist from an immigrant family, I understand the cultural distance, financial barriers, and unfamiliarity that often keep our communities from traditional theater spaces. By presenting Paper Dream in Chinatown and Flushing—a place where AAPI communities already live, gather, and feel a sense of belonging—I aim to meet audiences where they are. Performances will take place in accessible community venues, and all shows will be free or pay‑what‑you‑can so that cost is never a barrier.

My hope is to offer AAPI community members a moment of recognition—an invitation to connect with our shared history, our humanity, and the emotional truth of our experiences. As an AAPI immigrant and artist, I understand how deeply our histories—both the painful and the beautiful—shape our sense of identity and belonging. Many of our stories have been underrepresented or left unspoken, yet they continue to live in our bodies, our families, and our silences. Bringing these overlooked histories into the light is a way to reclaim them, to heal, and to strengthen intergenerational connection.