Over 60 people tuned in for our first collaboration with Asian American Theatre Artists of Boston: Chinatown Presents: #SinceYallWantMeToBeWhite, a new work crafted by Quentin Nguyen-duy and Serenity S’rae, written and designed specifically for the virtual format. 

Told through the contemporary lens of our most popular mediums in 2020 — Zoom and Tik Tok —, #SinceYallWantMeToBeWhite is a heart-to-heart conversation about the loss in translation of how Black and Asian Americans view racism in the U.S. 

Vivian Liu-Somers (Ms. Lu), Jasmine Brooks (director), Sarah Shin (dramaturg), Anna Levin (stage manager) rounded out the team that brought this reading to life.

Miss it? Catch the recording here.

 Read more in the Sampan.

About Artists 

Quentin Nguyen-duy (Playwright):

Quentin Nguyen-duy is an actor and playwright with a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University.  Born in Ashland, OR, Quentin made his way to the midwest his senior year of high school to attend Interlochen Arts Academy, and then eventually to Boston University, where he met a plethora of professors who he admires infinitely, including: Kirsten Greenidge and Kristin Leahey (among others).  Recently, he oversaw a production of his full-length show Amputees at the Boston University Fringe Festival, and has had the same work produced by the Asian American Playwrights’ Collective (AAPC).  During his time in lockdown, Quentin co-wrote, filmed, and acted in an NYC-based web series called The Social Distance, finished his second full-length play titled SOAPBOX, and is currently commissioned by the Boston Lyric Opera as a staff writer for their virtual opera series.  

Serenity S’rae (Playwright/Korena)

Serenity S’rae is an actress and playwright in her second year in Boston University’s BFA Theatre Arts Program. She is a native of Atlanta Georgia where she is a proud alumnus of The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. She also is an alumnus of Interlochen Arts Academy and an awardee of both The YoungArts Foundation and the August Wilson Monologue Competition. Growing up as one of the only black performers in her community she was encouraged to create her own work and craft her voice as a black artist. This project will be Serenity S’rae’s playwriting debut but her past project as a writer includes writing for a web series, How Are You Doing Right Now. Her acting credits include Nina in Stupid Fucking Bird at Parallel 45 and Judy in The Curious Incident Of the Dog in the Nighttime. Current projects she is working on includes writing her first screenplay and solo written play. Serenity would like to express her thanks to Quentin Nguyen-duy, Sarah Shin, Boston University, The Pao Arts Center, her mother, dad, sisters, friends, and mentors. 

Jasmine Brooks (Director):

Jasmine Brooks is a Boston based director and producer. She is currently the Artistic Associate and NNPN Producer in Residence at Company One. At C1, Jasmine is the Creative Producer for the Better Future Series She is also the former Boston Project Coordinator at SpeakEasy Stage. Directing/Assistant Directing credits include TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES (Fresh Ink Theatre Company), CAMP STRANGEWOOD: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN CABIN SIX (Sparkhaven Theatre Company), WORLD LINE (TC Squared Theatre Company), GUPPY (TC Squared Theatre Company), WOLF PLAY (Company One), ¡MAMÁGUA! (Fresh Ink Theatre: Ink Spot), WE SUCK! (Fresh Ink Theatre: Mad Dash), SORRY ASS BLOCK PARTY (Boston Theatre Marathon/Company One), LIFE AFTER LUST (Open Theatre Project: Gay Shorts 3), VIETGONE (Company One), DIVAS (OperaHub), FINAL FLIGHT (Boston University). Jasmine holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University. Learn more about Jasmine here: jasminerosebrooks.com.

Vivian Liu-Somers (Ms. Lu):

Vivian Liu-Somers has acted and directed with many Boston area theater groups and festivals including with the Asian American Theatre Artists of Boston (AATAB), AAPCFEST (Asian American Playwrights’ Collective Play Festival), the Boston Theater Marathon, Boston One Minute Play Festival, SlamBoston, Fresh Ink Mad Dash, Roxbury Rep Play Festival, ArlingTEN Festival, and Hovey Play in a Day. She recently had her first play Waiting For Kim Lee produced by AATAB. Favorite roles include Lindo in Joy Luck Club, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, Melissa in Love Letters, Peter Quince in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and Bill Bradley and various roles in Twilight: Los Angeles written by Anna Deavere Smith. She also has participated in readings and workshops including Someone Who Isn't Me (Fresh Ink Theatre), The Token Fallopians of Middleton Heights (Playwrights Platform and Fresh Ink Theatre) and Stir Frying Mahjong (Company One).