Asian Story Theater
Asian SCARY Theater
The mission of Asian Story Theater is to celebrate our unique stories and culture and broaden multicultural awareness and understanding by dramatizing Asian and Pacific Island (API) stories, arts, and themes for family audiences. ASIAN SCARY THEATER recalls the mid-20th century radio theater, harkening back to a kind of storytelling where the performance is mostly auditory–relying on vocal performances of the cast as well as sound effects and music to convey the story.
The components of Music, Sound Effects, Narration, and Dialogue feature prominently in this radio-style format providing a very personal dimension and intimacy with the audience–where the scene happens primarily in the audience’s own imagination. Our intention is to perform these radio dramas live, where the audience will be able to see the foley, the performers, and even participate in creating this audio space.
2026 Performances
Preview/promo video
Highlights
Complete show (fixed camera)
PROGRAM
Written & Directed by Gingerlily Lowe
Stage Manager and Assistant Director: Káli
Additional Material and Assistant Director: Kent Brisby
Original songs by Gingerlily Lowe
Change of Heart by Gingerlily Lowe
A Different Day than Yesterday by Gingerlily Lowe
The Night Marchers by Kent Brisby
The White Lady based on an essay by Yanan Melo, adapted by Kent Brisby
La Yurei Yokai by Gingerlily Lowe
Kalí Kamaria is a visual artist with a broad background in theater and dance. Stage performances began with Teatro Máscara Mágica, and favorite roles include FA MU LAN and KAHUA with Asian Story Theater, performing in San Diego and San Francisco. She has trained 6 years in Balinese dance and 12 years with Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue.
Gingerlily Lowe is an actor, director, writer, songwriter, teaching artist and a founding member of Asian Story Theater -formerly Chinese Story Theater. She was a founding member and past president on San Diego’s first Asian American Theater company–Pacific Asian Actors’ Ensemble, and also the Magic Machine. She is proud of the decades of multi-ethnic theater she has been a part of and able to help produce, celebrating Asian American art and culture, and bringing new faces, voices, and stories to the community. She has been a teaching artist with Young Audiences/Arts for Learning, Institute for Arts Education, and currently is on the teaching artist staff for Guitars in the Classroom, and the Education Director for Asian Story Theater.
KL (Kent) BRISBY
Kent is a writer and producer with a broad background in adapting diverse narrative and performing arts traditions from around the world into new works, often featuring music. Upcoming projects include a new musical set during the Mexican Revolution, REVOLUCIÓN, as well as the upcoming BIG MONEY. He recently wrote and produced THE LAST CENSUS for Asian Story Theater, and other past projects include RED, WHITE & BLACKLISTED and THE MUSICAL PAUL GAUGUIN, as well as leading development on STORIES OF THE SUN CAFE, HALO HALO, and the anthology series THE COFFEE PLAYS. Originally from Nebraska, Kent grew up on various Micronesian Island groups, with some time in Hawaii, before returning to the states. He graduated from Whitman College in the Pacific Northwest before settling in San Diego as a performer and director with the San Diego Street Theater.
2025 Asian SCARY Theater – last call
Although performances at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum wrapped up on October 29, there are two more chances to see the touring version of this program:
Wednesday, November 1 at 3pm, at Carmel Mountain Ranch Library
(12095 World Trade Drive, San Diego 92128)
Saturday, November 4 at 4pm, North University Community Library
(8820 Judicial Dr, San Diego 92122)
These performances are a bit shorter, just under an hour. Sponsored by these libraries, this program is free as long as there are seats. Details below.
