The National Asian American Theatre Co., Inc. (NAATCO) is a tax exempt
(501(c)3) not-for-profit organization formed in 1989. NAATCO’s mission is
to assert the presence and significance of Asian American theatre in the
United States, demonstrating its vital contributions to the fabric of
American culture. We present the following repertory:
European and American classics as written with all Asian American casts;
Adaptations of these classics by Asian American playwrights; and
New plays – preferably world premieres – written by non-Asian Americans,
not for or about Asian Americans, but realized by an all Asian American cast.
Development and production of new plays by Asian American playwrights that incorporate other performative arts and media.
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NAATCO
520 8th Avenue, Suite 309
New York, NY 10018
Henry VI Parts 1-3 (2018)
NAATCO puts into service its total commitment to Asian American theatre artists
to more accurately represent onstage the multi- and intercultural dynamics of our
society. In choosing the repertory above, we demonstrate a rich tapestry of
cultural difference bound by the American experience. The enrichment
accrues to each different culture as well as to America as a whole.
Sagittarius Ponderosa (2016)
NAATCO performs this chosen repertory as written, with no
forced Asian cultural associations. The repertory’s importance comes not
only through the valuable training it provides for theatrical craft, but
also from its ability to reach across ethnic boundaries to illuminate
abiding characteristics of human nature.
Awake and Sing (2015)
The superimposition of our Asian faces on a non-Asian repertory,
interpreted by artists using diverse and truly universal references to
serve the text very faithfully, reflects and emphasizes the kinship among
disparate cultures. We do not say we are all the same, we say that we
have quite large areas of understanding. We also say that affirmations
of timeless values and new insights about old works can come from unexpected faces.
The Dumb Waiter(2011)
NAATCO and its performers have been the recipients of
numerous awards,
including the 2015 Ross Wetzsteon Award (an Obie given to theatres
that nurture innovative new plays), the 2019 St. Clair Bayfield Award
(Mia Katigbak in Henry VI), the 2015 Lilly Award for Trailblazing, a 2014
performance Obie (Mia Katigbak in Awake and Sing!), and the 2006 Rosetta
LeNoire award from Actors Equity Association recognizing NAATCO’s contribution
toward increasing diversity and non-traditional casting in American theatre.
The House of Bernarda Alba (2007)
