The Heart Sellers – Living History
Join us for an audio and visual engagement lobby experience in our Steimke Studio lobby set against the backdrop of our World Premiere, The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh. Produced by Milwaukee Rep's Education & Engagement Department, this oral history display glimpses into aspects of emigrating from Asia to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
Experience the humor, hopes, fears and surprises of emigrating from four different AAPI elder storytellers, adapted for and spoken through a youth voice.
Listen to the recordings of the monologues adapted from interviews below or when you attend The Heart Sellers while viewing lobby experience. All monologues are copywritten and rights are reserved.
Media Collaboration for Sound Recordings:
Audio Files Available
The audio files are available free of charge and are posted. This informative experience can be enjoyed at your own leisure! You can also listen on your smartphone as you walk around the lobby display when you attend The Heart Sellers. Be sure to bring your headphones and if you forget disposal headphones will be available.
American Sign Language (ASL) Videos Now Available
ASL-interpreted stories are now available. Browse the complete playlist or click on the ASL button next to each story below.
The Elders and Youth
Country of Origin: China, grew up in Hong Kong
Date of Emigration to the US: 1962
Celine’s story is read by Zoah Hirano, 8th Grader at Shorewood Intermediate
Date of Emigration to the US: July 1970
Delia’s story is read by Fiona Hernandez, 10th Grader at University School
Grew up in Malolos, Bulacan; later in Manila
Date of Emigration to the US: April 8,1972
Reino’s story is read by Yingkou Xiong, 12th Grader at Rufus King High School
Date of Emigration to the US: 1974
P. Emraida’s story is read by Yee Xiong, 12th Grader at Rufus King High School
Experience The Stories Live
During the run of The Heart Sellers, Milwaukee Rep presents a pre-show talk called Rep-in-Depth that begins approximately 45 minutes to curtain. On Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees during the run, Rep-in-Depth will be replaced by live storytelling of one of the stories from our audio series and performed live by our youth voices. The live storytelling will take place 35 minutes prior to curtain.
Credits
Direction and playwriting by N’Jameh Russell-Camara
Research by Marie Helser
Coordination by Suze Falk
Voice Over Classes by Emmy Award-winner Abby Thompson and N’Jameh Russell-Camara
Acting Classes led by Jacob Horstmeier