Event Details

• Asian As Asset: The tragedy and comedy of assimilation in theatre arts

Randy Reyes was born in Manila, Philippines and immigrated to Los Angeles California at the age of seven, desperate to be accepted and blend in. The journey from being the shy boy who didn’t speak good English to playing lead roles on the preeminent Guthrie Theatre stage to leading the artistic vision for an Asian American theater company was fraught with self-hate, profound discoveries, and epic contradictions. 

How does a Filipino, male-identified human survive as an artist in an industry that marginalizes and erases Asian identities? The answer demands a deep understanding of colonialism, self-actualization, and an incredibly developed sense of humor.

Randy Reyes is an award winning theater artist who has worked as a professional actor, director, and theater educator with institutions across the country, including the Guthrie, Mixed Blood Theatre, and Theater Mu, where he was the artistic director for five years.