Bringing Attention to the Internment of Japanese Americans of World War II through Theatre
Camp Harmony, was one of the acts featured in the production “Finding Home”. It showed an insight into what the Japanese Americans experienced in the American internment camps in 1942. Thoughts and feelings of fear, anxiety, vulnerability, and uncertainty are given faces on the stage.
We follow the Sugimura family as they are affected by the fear and hate from World War II that caused them to be confined. The author, Mailina Tuivaiave, had a lot of passion for this piece. “I was excited to flesh it out,” she said.
“Camp Harmony”, the internment camp were the story is located was in Puyallup, where the current Washington State fair is held. Back then, The Puyallup Assembly Center was a temporary facility for the internment of Japanese Americans.
Every time she passes those grounds, that moment in history always comes to her mind. “I first heard of the Japanese Internment Camps in high school. Puyallup is one of my favorite places, it’s always bright and clean, you’d never think something so shaded and dirty happened there,” says Tuivaiave.
Tuivaiave wanted to spread awareness to something that happened so close to home. She describes herself as someone who wonders about history and loves everything about it. Even letting her mind wonder about the history of roads, buildings, books and people. Writing Camp Harmony was her way of “saying I remember… its remembrance and respect for the past.”
Her perspective of the two children Kiyoko and Akane was intentional for the audience. “I want to inform, to remember and encourage people to lend more credence to children,” she said.
A child’s perspective is the most innocent and raw than any other. Their input could be the most important thing in a situation. “Consider the children, give them a moment, and take a listen,” she said.
Camp Harmony is a work of art by Mailina Tuivaiave that conveys history and true meaning. “People were uprooted from their homes and forced to live here,” she said.
By bringing light to this part of history, Tuivaiave hoped the audience would learn from what has happened in the past and use that lesson towards a better future. “There was no other option. Japanese Internment in America. This was it,” she said.
Playwright uses “End Term of Service” to find her way home

Author Jacqueline Laverne, a Pierce College student, showed a brief window into a brief defining moment in her younger life.
“End Term of Service” was a piece in the recent final Pierce College play “Finding Home.” Author Jacqueline Laverne, a Pierce College student, showed a brief window into a brief defining moment in her younger life. Recently widowed and a new mother, the scene showcased the struggle of completely changing one’s lifestyle, routine, and sense of direction.
Laverne served in the military from 1988 to 1993. She understands the pain and stress that is part of a woman’s life because of how the military treated them during this time period. “It’s a very personal piece to me,” Laverne said.
During the early 90s — from which her piece is based on— women in the military were treated as outcasts. While the men were treated as priceless jewels, women were treated like rubble on the ground, she said.
“When people in the government treat you like you are a pariah, and they use the excuse that they’re just trying to do their job, there is no reason to treat each other that way,” she said.
“End Term of Service” showed what she went through during her last day in the military. She was only 22 years old, and the memory of living through that experience at such a young age has haunted her. “It was her getting through the paperwork with her dignity intact and getting home,” Laverne said.
Even though the rough treatment of others can have a major impact on someone’s life, Laverne’s story has a positive message. People will treat others the way they want, no matter what the circumstance is, but the way that treatment is taken in is what really matters. “We can’t let the pain and suffering define who you are,” she said.
”Finding home” is the key message in Laverne’s piece. It is important that everyone finds a place in this world, “No matter what your place is in the world is, you need to find it….find your home,” she said.
Writing the piece brought up many emotions, she said, as she thought about the treatment of women in the military back then and now. “I cried the entire time I wrote it…remembering it, because it was quite painful,” she said.
Going through trials and hardships, it can be hard to find pieces of home, but Laverne has hope. “If you have a goal you need to follow through with it, and it will help you find your place,” she said.
Aurdrey II takes over stage at Lakewood Playhouse
“Feed me Seymour!

Actors left to right, Niclas olson (Seymour), Joelle Craft (Chiffon), and Brittany Griffins (Ronnette). Ronnette sings to Seymour in surprise that his wired flower is helping make his dreams come true in becoming more well known. The song is “Ya Never Know”.
There is a most unique plant currently growing in Mr. Mushnik’s (Tim McFarlan) flower shop on Skid Row. The plant, named “Audrey II” by florist nerd Seymour Krelborn (Niclas Olson), needs a special type of nourishment so she can “grow up big and strong”. However, the food she wants is not Miracle Grow and you won’t find it at your local Costco or Fred Meyer.
Feeding Audrey II is going to be a major problem facing Seymour in the horror-comedy musical “Little Shop of Horrors”. The 1982 Off-Broadway musical was created by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman. The dark-humored play is based on the 1960 Roger Corman film of the same name. as well as a popular 1986 film adaptation of “Little Shop of Horrors” directed by Frank Oz.
The play is directed by Tacoma Little Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Chris Serface. He confirmed that his production is based on the 1982 Off-Broadway play and not on the 1986 Frank Oz film. This means that Seymour and Audrey, (Jennifer Redston) the girl he has a crush on, will possibly be in mortal danger from Audrey II once they learn that the plant is a Mean Green Mother from Outer Space.
“Little Shop Of Horrors” is a story about a young man who works at a flower shop on Skid Row. Seymour Krelborn acquires a plant he names Audrey II after Audrey, the girl he is in love with. Unfortunately, Audrey has a boyfriend, a sadistic dentist named Orin Scrivello (William Johnson). Seymour’s boss Mr. Mushnik is about to fire him for his incompetence when Audrey II arrives from outer space. The plant saves Mr. Mushnik’s business from going belly up. However, the situation becomes complicated when Seymour learns that Audrey II feeds on blood.

Director Chris Surface chose a fine cast of actors to star in his production. They were perfect in their execution of the “Greek Chorus” of Ronette, Chiffon and Crystal. The sound was amazing due in part to the use of a live orchestra behind the stage. The sounds of the instruments and the actors’ singing made me feel like I was living “down in Skid Row”.

The revolving set was a feast for the eyes. A lot of time and ingenuity was put into creating Mr. Mushnik’s flower shop. Even the flower pots that Seymour kept breaking, much to Mushnik’s chagrin, had detail.
The growth of Audrey II takes place in three stages. She starts out as a cute little plant held in Seymour’s arms. It does not take long before the puppet is trying to bite people (including some of the members of the audience). Soon she is as tall as Seymour and starts to speak and sing. Eric Clausell brilliantly mimics Levi Stubbs who did the voice of Audrey II in the Frank Oz film. I actually felt vulnerable in a comic sort of way when the plant grew so tall she toured over the actors. I certainly had reason to be tense when one by one the actors ended up as hord’oeuvres for Audrey. The puppeteers animated that plant so well it was scary.
The actors had a mesmerizing way as they became the characters that they were playing. Niclas Olsen was a delightfully naïve Seymour who allows himself to be manipulated by Audrey II into bringing her food (FEED ME!). Jennifer Redston was extraordinary in her ability to replicate Ellen Greene’s Audrey from the 1986 film including Audrey’s signature squeaky voice. Will Johnson is hilarious as Orin, Audrey’s fiendish dentist boyfriend who has an unfortunate addiction to nitrous oxide. It is difficult for anyone not to laugh when Orin meets his demise stumbling around the stage wearing a space helmet “filled” with laughing gas. The story’s exposition, set to music, is provided by Crystal (Antoinette Nicole Bridges) Chiffon (Joelle Craft) and Ronnette (Brittany Griffins) a singing ladies group from the 1960s, sporting beehive hairstyles.
All of the hard work that Chris Serface and his entourage have put into creating “Little Shop of Horrors” was worth it. This production should satisfy anybody who loves musicals and has a macabre sense of humor. I would encourage anybody who and black humor to come to the Lakewood Playhouse and see this play.
Ticket prices are available at https://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org/
Senior 60+/Military $28.00
Educator/student $25.00
Adult $30.00
“Finding Home” spotlights what having a home means
The final play for the Black Box Theater at Pierce College for 2018 was a sold-out show. “Finding Home” was performed from May 31 – June 2 and focuses on humans longing for home.
The play shows our universal search for a physical and emotional place in the world with various locations, timelines, and themes said director Patrick Daugherty and co-creator Denise Hartley.
When searching for a cast Daugherty stated that he was looking for, “students, faculty, staff, administrators, and members of the community who were passionate about being part of these works in progress”.
Khuong “Finn” Quoc Ho, a cast member who goes by Finn, when asked way he decided to join the play stated, “I joined the play because I wanted to have a chance to learn more about what I’ve already been learning which is theatre”. Finn plays multiple characters, a brother and a gremlin.
When asked if he related to any of his characters or other characters, he responded, “Um, yeah well, especially since I’m an international student myself. I wouldn’t say necessarily my characters but other characters”. Also, when asked what attracted him and made him ultimately choose the play he commented, “Patrick Daugherty. I heard his reputation around here and how well he puts on amazing productions.
Cast mate Aubrey Bingham, plays a crying baby and a widow’s daughter. She wanted the audience to think about what having a home means. “I hope they get a sense of where their home is and that they enjoyed the play and that they don’t get annoyed by my crying”.
Director Patrick Daugherty said, “Pierce College is a crossroads for talented artists, writers, musicians, singers, and actors. The cast and crews are always new, fresh, and different. The shows are here and gone in the blink of an eye, and each experience is ephemeral”.
Love and Disability play out on Lakewood stage
“The Glass Menagerie” opened Feb. 16 at the Lakewood Playhouse. This iconic production reflects the personal life of the playwright Tennessee Williams.
The Glass Menagerie has been playing for audiences since the play’s first production in 1944. Since then there have been two Hollywood adaptations of the play. The first movie came out in 1950 and the second in 1987 (directed by Paul Newman and starring his wife Joanne Woodward as Amanda). Unfortunately, both films failed to capture the essence of the play and failed at the box office.
The Lakewood Playhouse production of “The Glass Menagerie” directed by Micheal O’Hara is a stunning adaptation that will touch your heart and leave you feeling compassion for the actors in the play.
The setting is in the Wingfield apartment in St. Louis in 1937. A sofa, dining room table, and a cabinet for Laura’s glass animals provide the backdrop for the unfolding drama. The production also makes clever use of a candelabrum with three lit candles for the scene where the electricity is turned off in the Wingfield apartment. The whole theater was dark except for the three candles.
The play uses four characters to tell the story.
Tom Wingfield, played by Niclas Olson, is a narcissistic factory worker who has little compassion for his family. Instead of spending nights with his family he keeps “going to the movies.”
Amanda Wingfield, played by Dayna Childs (with a convincing Texas accent) is a faded Southern belle who longs for the days long ago when she was a debutante attending parties and balls.
Jess Weaver makes a stunning acting debut as Laura Wingfield, Amanda’s daughter, and Nick Fitzgerald brings talent and charm to his role as Jim O’Conner, a friend and “gentleman caller” who comes over for a visit to the Wingfield apartment.
The plot of Williams’ play involves Amanda’s efforts to find a husband for her daughter Laura, an extremely shy young woman who has retreated into an almost autistic-like existence polishing her collection of glass animals all day. The source of Laura’s mental fragility is her physical condition – she is crippled. The play explains her affliction as having one leg shorter than the other. The implication is that Laura has polio, since they talk about her having to wear a brace.
Amanda is convinced that Laura must have a man to provide for her since Laura is unwilling to go to school and find a career. Amanda insists that Tom should go to the factory and find a “gentleman caller” for Laura. Tom obliges by bringing home an Irishman named Jim O’Conner with whom he is best friends with in the factory.
In a most ironic twist of fate, Jim turns out to be the one boy Laura had a crush on in high school. When watching the interaction between the two actors playing Jim and Laura, one gets the strong impression that they belonged together. Jim is kind and sensitive to Laura. He tries to help her see what a beautiful person she is despite having a disability. The affection displayed by Fitzgerald toward Weaver appears so authentic that the heartbreak when Laura learns that Jim is engaged to another woman it hits the audience like a ton of bricks. There is no happy ending in “The Glass Menagerie.”
Williams’ play is a commentary on the fact that sometimes life can be harsh to the most vulnerable people in this world. “The Glass Menagerie” is much like a Greek tragedy in that it makes you feel compassion for the players even after the play is over.
The show will run until March 11. Show times are Fridays and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be a special showing Thursday, March 1 at 8 p.m. – an actor’s benefit night, with admission price as a “Pay what you can” with a $5 minimum. More information regarding ticket prices and location can be found at lakewoodplayhouse.org.
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Tacoma Little Theatre/ Courtesy Photo
Photo caption: Sunny (Jill Heinecke) takes a liking to Joe (Kelly Mackay), who is still trying to get to know Sunny better.
Disgraced
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