Short Critical Essay

This assignment is a mid-term. You will write a 5-6 page (1000-1200 words) essay. The essay will focus on any two of the plays that we have read in class until week 7. You will be responding to the following leads:

Compare and contrast the ways in which your chosen playwrights address the issue of Asian American representation in American popular culture (APC).

Introduce each playwright and present a throughline of their career trajectory. Comment on how Asian American representation in APC has shifted during the career of these artists. What has the contribution of these artists been in the shift over the course of their careers?

Comment on whether and to what extent were you familiar with the work of either or both of your chosen playwrights. Where did you encounter their work? And if you did not, what does that tell you about American theatre education. Please remember, the purpose here is not simply to castigate any culture or educational/cultural institution but rather to introspect into socio-cultural practices that leave create and perpetuate these lacunaes.