Immigration Story Told on Stage
Nothing Micro about Micronesia
Geography Lesson ( if Needed)
Unless you are from the area, or an area to which many Micronesians have migrated to, you may not know much about this part of the world. The term was coined by explorers in the 150Os who noticed this vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean was characterized by the numerous small islands, mainly atolls, that comprised it. The different island groups within Micronesia are diverse, but today are lumped together because of their relationships with the United States. It’s complicated.
Experiences and Culture on Stage
A conference of the Consortium for Asian American Theatre Artists was held in Honolulu, where I live, recently. I signed up for a couple of events as I wasn’t able to attend the full conference. A play, Nothing Micro About Micronesia, created by Teada Productions (“a nomadic theater of color rooted in the stories of immigrants and refugees”) was one of the centerpieces of the conference. (It had been presented at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth earlier in the year.) It was held on the main stage of the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi, performing to a near full house. A generous donor had purchased 350 tickets for the local Micronesian community. The excitement among those in attendance was palpable…
