Asian Story Theater
COUNTED is a bittersweet story about a lonely man who is actually looking forward to a visit from a census worker, because he has a special problem. He’s actually an accountant, and he is familiar with some of the quirks of America’s record keeping system, especially for people who don’t necessarily have all the normal paperwork in hand, for whatever reason. It seems he’s never actually been counted, which presents a particular challenge for everyone involved. COUNTED is funny, topical, and a little spooky, with a little puppetry and special effects, in the holiday tradition. Plus it starts at 7pm, and it’s short!
COUNTED in presented by a team of new talents along with popular favorite performers from all of our companies. New to this project are Lettie S. De Anda and Levani Ko, with Natalie Gelb new in production and a surprisingly touching script by poet and playwright Gill Sotu, a relatively new-to-us writer featured in THE LAST CENSUS earlier this year. Returning company members include Claudette Santiago and Rhys Green on stage, Kali Kamaria Stage Managing, and Kent Brisby directing. An exciting new component is video co-production, coordinated by Director of Photography Steven Salcido and a team of pros that you will hear more about early next year.
Announcing a holiday treat. On November 1st and 2nd, you can grab free tickets to see COUNTED, a Census Ghost Story presented by Asian Story Theater and our census partners; Teatro Máscara Mágica and San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. This will be at the beautiful El Salon Studio Theatre in South San Diego, across from the San Ysidro Outlet Mall. If you’ve been there for one of our past programs (such as NOT WORKING) you may recall that this theater is quite small, with only about 50 seats. This show is expected to fill up.
Program
Cast
Claudette Santiago
Rhys Green
Levani Ko
Lettie S. De Anda
Creative Team
Writer ~ Gill Sotu
Production ~ Natalie Gelb
Stage Manager ~ Kalí Kamaria
About the Company
Gill Sotu was previously featured in The Last Census, and we are happy to have him back for this new project. Gill Sotu is an accomplished Navy veteran, poet, playwright, DJ, and performing artist. Best known for his play "Gill Sotu Inspired Me," which he also produced and arranged with Kevin Sandbloom. Currently, he is a teaching artist and a commissioned playwright with The Old Globe Theatre & La Jolla Playhouse, and the official Poet in Residence for the San Diego Writer's Festival. He has over 10 yrs of experience teaching written and performing arts within the penal system, working directly with incarcerated persons & in recovery settings, as well as with veterans and students from junior high to college.
KL (Kent) BRISBY 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. Following BIG MONEY, upcoming projects include a new musical set during the Mexican Revolution, REVOLUCIÓN. He recently co-wrote and produced THE LAST CENSUS for Asian Story Theater. 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.
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.
Rhys Green is co-founder and Artistic Director of the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. He earned his BFA from the California Institute of The Arts. and been a teaching artist with the La Jolla Playhouse, North Coast Rep, Institute for Arts Education, and the creative arts team out of New York University. As a performer he has toured with Disney, Asian Story Theater, National Theatre for Children, Fights r’ Us, and Traveling Lantern, plus shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. Local performances include acclaimed productions of THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL at Ion Theatre, and FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WAR with Intrepid. An Associate Artist with Asian Story Theater he also serves on the board of Chronos Theatre and Teatro Máscara Mágica. He is the owner of MrGreensCoffeeBeans.com, and plays drums around town with any number of Jazz Cats.
