Department of Performing Arts

Theatre Program Welcomes Playwright

Philip Kan Kotanda

PHILIP KAN GOTANDA, who, over the last two and a half decades, has been a major playwriting influence in the broadening of our definition of theater in America—especially in bringing the stories of Asian Americans to the nation's stages—was a guest lecturer in DPA's playwriting class in September.

He spoke to writing students of the need to develop one's own unique artistic voice, to the value of structure, and the necessity of having stories to share that are meaningful and personal. That direct inteaction with students was followed by attending a performance of his play, Yohen, currently performing in Chicago as a part of the international Silk Road Project.