Arkansas, 1974, after the fall of Saigon. Two young survivors (who may or may not be the play-wright’s parents) meet in America. Will this strange new land of burritos, bikers and pot allow them to fall in love? Flipping stereotypes and remixing history, Vietgone cooks up a sexy, funny romp that’s a secret origin story for playwright Qui Nguyen (author of Raya and the Last Dragon)!

Tickets: pork-filled.ticketleap.com/vietgone/
(For the Relaxed Sensory Performance go to
https://pork-filled.ticketleap.com/vietgone-relaxed/ )

Rated PG-14 for sexual situations, swearing, redneck racism, nightmares of war, and badass kung fu fighting!

Press page here!

The Playwright

Get ready for PFP’s Vietgone  (coming in August!)

It’s been 10 years since Agent G has last been in Vietnam where his family and friends were all viciously slain. He’s now come back looking for answers and a good bit of revenge, however forces are at hand trying to stop him as well as the playwright from finishing this brutal task…

AND….It’s also about playwright Qui Nguyen writing about a playwright named Qui Nguyen, struggling to tell his family’s story. He may have found it, too (check out Vietgone in August). But first…he’s going to have to survive a rap battle with David Henry Hwang, the planet’s greatest Asian American playwright….

Featuring Justin Tran, Karis Ho, Seranine Elliot, Kaughlin Caver and Jonna Nguyen. Directed by David Le, assistant director Weiyu Guo, sound design by Saleh Matt.

Tickets at https://pork-filled.ticketleap.com/agent-g/

“Qui Nguyen’s play is an ambitious entertainment about modern identity wrapped inside an exploitation drama about what used to be called the `inscrutable Orient’. It gleefully mocks countless movies. In an impressive feat, the Vampire Cowboys become serious without giving up any of their silliness. A Critic’s Pick!”Jason Zinoman, The New York Times

$10 million awarded to 811 Washington state arts and culture organizations through the Community Accelerator Grant program 

Following a successful $10M pilot in 2023, the second year of the program sees 93% of pilot grantees reapplying and nearly 30% increase in total grantees. 

SEATTLE – May 21, 2024 – Today, ArtsFund and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announce $10M in funding to 811 grantees through the second year of the Community Accelerator Grant program. This builds on the program’s 2023 pilot investment in Washington’s arts and culture sector that provided $10M in funding to 671 organizations.  

Pork Filled Productions was one of those organizations, receiving funds from ArtsFund and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. The new round of grants range from $2,500 to $25,000 in response to ongoing needs of arts and culture organizations. The unrestricted $10M in funding will boost organizations’ abilities to invest in their missions and essential roles serving communities across the state. 

“ArtsFund is grateful for the second year of partnership with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation on the Community Accelerator Grant,” said Michael Greer, president and CEO of ArtsFund. “Our ability to distribute $10M of unrestricted funding to such a wide and representative group of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations throughout 37 counties in Washington will add resources to groups whose work creates a better quality of life for communities across the state.” 

Grants were awarded to every eligible nonprofit organization that applied. Approximately 70 percent of grantees reported annual budgets of less than $500,000 and average awards were $12,330. This year’s distribution includes organizations in 37 counties throughout Washington, representing 99.8% of the state’s population. The top five disciplines represented in the grantee pool include music, cultural heritage, multidisciplinary, theatre, and visual arts. 

“From the Olympics to the Palouse, every corner of our state is brimming with diverse and rich cultural activity, and we are incredibly heartened by the extensive reach and continued impact of this program,” said Lara Littlefield, executive director of partnerships and programs for the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. “We are proud to partner again with ArtsFund and the Community Advisory Panel, who have continued to administer this novel, community-driven model that distributes capital quickly, equitably, and efficiently to these organizations that are so essential for building our vibrant and healthy communities.” 

The Community Accelerator Grant prioritizes resources to communities who are underrepresented in other funding programs – specifically, those in rural communities, and for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. The application was designed to be low-barrier, with the goal that no organization would find it too complicated, or the information requested too cumbersome. We believe that the ease and efficiency during application and distribution of this community-driven model is one of the major reasons that 93% of grantees from the pilot reapplied for this second year of funding.  

Applicants were asked to what degree they felt this grant might positively impact their ability to build capacity and increase their sustainability: Organizations anticipate raising an additional $3.60 for every $1 of their grant, resulting in a potential program impact of $36 million. This year, the program saw an increase in priority communities on staff and boards as representation continues to be an important consideration. Half of the total grantee pool has more than 25% of staff identifying as BIPOC. The program also distributed funds to 10 out of 29 (34%) of Washington’s federally recognized tribes. 

Thank you to our incredible GiveBIG supporters! You’ve raised $3471 to tell Asian stories on Puget Sound stages. While this falls a bit short of our goal, this generosity still matters. We could not do even a fraction of what we do without you, featuring actors and characters other theatres have been overlooking.

If you were unable to give during GiveBIG (or want to help fill in our deficit), it’s not too late! You can give at

https://www.wagives.org/organization/Porkfilledproductions or https://www.poweredbyshunpike.org/c/PBS/a/porkfilled

RISING TOGETHER!!

GiveBIG returns May 7 and 8, 2024! Co-ordinated by Washington Gives , a program of 501Commons, GiveBIG gives the push for non-profits, large and small, with expertise, back office support, and resources to boost funding for groups like Pork Filled Productions. Let me tell you what we are looking for!

RISING

As the oldest Asian American theatre group in the Pacific Northwest, we are surging to new heights! New members, new goals, new plays, and making never-before-seen magic for Seattle stages!! Help us reach parts of the sky we could never have had before!

TOGETHER

We make sure that the community’s voice is heard. We produce shows for a desperately underrepresented group that aches to see their story on stage (20% of the population, 5% of the roles!). And we will bring Seattle’s Asian American stories to national stages! When we rise, we bring our communities with us!

Make us a POWERHOUSE of Asian American theatre locally and nationally by donating to our cause!!

 Our goal for 2024 is $5500 to produce and develop fantastical theatre (like last year’s Bloodletting ). You can give as little as $5, or as much as you want! Any amount is appreciated. The first $1200 gets matched, doubling your contribution’s wallop! (And there are stretch goals!).

What a GREAT feeling, knowing we can come together to support Asian American communities, create art, and improve ALL of our lives.

YOU can get that great feeling too. Save the date for GiveBIG for May 7 AND 8. Or avoid the rush and schedule your donation when early giving begins on April 23 . Keep an eye on our Facebook or Instagram accounts to stay current.

Get ready for GiveBig and get that Great Feeling of making a difference in your community

Pork Filled Productions and SIS Productions, in association with Theatre Off Jackson, is excited to announce our cast and crew for Vietgone!

It’s 1975 and two young survivors (who may or may not be the playwright’s parents) meet in a Vietnamese refuge camp in Arkansas shortly after the fall of Saigon. Will this strange new land of burritos, hippies, pot and bikers allow them to fall in love? Qui Nguyen (Raya and the Last Dragon, She Kills Monsters) irreverently flips stereotypes on their head, remixes history and pop culture and cooks up a sexy, funny, and energetic romp that’s a secret origin story of Vietnamese in America. 

Starring:
Josh Erme as Quang
Megan Huynh as Tong
Hank Tian as Nham and others
Wedny Chinn as Huong and others
Van Lang Pham as Playwright and others
Adele Lim as Understudy
Simon Tran as Understudy
Kathy Hsieh as Understudy

Featuring:
Mimi Katano – Director
Omar Faust – Stage Manager
Michael Latham – Assistant Stage Manager
Alegra Batara – Directorial Assistant
Grecia Leal Pardo – Production Manager
Robin Macartney – Set Design
Nick O’Leary – Projection Designer
Tianxing Yan – Costume Designer
Yuelan – Music Director
Jessamyn Bateman-lino – Prop Designer
Kassey Castro – Sound Designer
Annie Liu – Lighting Designer
Jasmine Lomax – Intimacy and Fight Director
Prof. Diep Le – Vietnamese Accent/Name Coach
P. Alyda Sorm – Community Outreach

Journey of the Wind is a groundbreaking new improvised theatrical experience, merging the whimsy and depth of iconic Japanese animated tales with its own unique narrative supported by audience suggestions.

It paints a fantastical world where humanity, nature, and the mystical intertwine in a stunning tapestry of storytelling. At its core is a young hero’s magical quest, evoking a timeless journey through enchanting realms filled with beauty and magic and themes of courage and self-discovery.

This is not just any play or improv show; it’s an invitation to embark on an extraordinary voyage through a land of wonder, where every performance is as unique and fleeting as the wind itself.

Directed by Belinda Fu
Assistant Director Kendall Uyeji

Produced in association with Theatre Off Jackson

Meet the cast!
Aaron Lussier
Amalia Larson
Erika Lowe
Hank Tian
Ilana Degann
Joshua Lewis
Kristina Roy
Kyle Henick
Liz Brammer
Preston McNeil

Auditions Open for Vietgone

Pork Filled Productions and SIS Productions present VIETGONE, by Qui Nguyen (RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, SHE KILLS MONSTERS and others). Directed by Mimi Katano. It’s 1975 and two young survivors (who may or may not be the playwright’s parents) meet in a Vietnamese refugee camp in Arkansas shortly after the fall of Saigon. Will this strange new land of burritos, hippies and bikers allow them to fall in love? VIETGONE irreverently flips stereotypes on their head, remixes history and culture and cooks up a sexy, funny and energetic romp that’s an origin story that can stand with cultural icons like Spider-Man, the X-Men and Batman. 

Pork Filled Productions is the theater offshoot of the long-running sketch comedy group, The Pork Filled Players. PFProductions grew from a desire to break stereotypes and challenge the expectations of what can be seen in theater. . SIS Productions centers the stories of Asian American women while providing opportunities for women in decision-making roles in theatre.  For more information please visit us at porkfilled.com and facebook.com/porkfilledproductions and https://www.facebook.com/sisproductions. To schedule an audition, please fill out this audition form: https://forms.gle/Y4BoFeFTaSHec5uK7 

Please review the character descriptions for appropriateness. Pork Filled Productions and SIS Productions are dedicated to casting appropriately and committed to representing our characters and stories truthfully. Actors of Asian descent are strongly encouraged to audition.

 This play will include movement and some action sequences and actors should be comfortable with dance, movement, and stage fighting, etc. Stage combat and movement experience is a plus. This play will also involve rapping; experience in rapping helpful but not required.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition/Interview Dates:
Sunday, February 18 @ 11am-6pm
Monday, February 19 @ 11am-6 pm 

Callbacks or second audition/interview?
Thursday, February 22 @ 5:30-9:30

Audition Requirements:
Please prepare a one minute contemporary monologue.

Rehearsals begin early to mid June
Load in July 29, 2024
Tech: Beginning August 2, 2024
Invited dress: August 6, 2024
Opening: August 8, 2024
Closing August 24, 2024

Actors will be paid a stipend of $600.

Character Breakdown / Project Needs:

Actors of Asian descent are strongly encouraged to audition.

QUANG – (M) A helicopter pilot in the South Vietnamese military during the Vietnam War. Adventurous, charming, rugged.
TONG – (F) A Vietnamese refugee. Strong-willed and fiercely independent.
HUONG – (F) Tong’s mother. Outspoken, surprisingly flirtatious, unpredictable.
NHAN – (M) Quang’s best friend. Also in the South Vietnamese military. Boisterous, loyal sidekick.
BOBBY – (M) American soldier. Naïve, earnest, sweet.

All characters are Asian.

Submit using the audition form at https://forms.gle/Y4BoFeFTaSHec5uK7

We offer the option to submit video auditions; email link to your audition video (along with headshot and resume) using audition form.

Audition Location:
562 1st Avenue S.
Seattle WA

Specific submission instructions: 

Submit a headshot and a resume (Please name your file RESUME_lastname_firstname.pdf or HEADSHOT_lastname_firstname.jpg)
You have the option to submit a video audition. Email the link to your audition along with your headshot and resume to oink@porkfilled.com.

Other details you need to know about these auditions: 

The entrance is to a secured building; please be on time, as you will need to be let in.

Journey of the Wind is an improvised theatrical play inspired by the films of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli (My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron). The show is directed by Belinda Fu, and co-produced by Jet City Improv Presents and Pork Filled Productions.

Journey of the Wind tells the adventure of a brave young hero coming of age in a beautiful and brutal world where humans, nature, and magic intertwine.

This production intends to create an improvisational piece that feels like a scripted theatrical performance. We are looking for performers who improvise with sincerity, playfulness, and honesty, and who have strong skills in narrative storytelling and physical / movement-based improvisation. We will be casting an ensemble who will rotate with eight on-stage performers per night.

JCI and PFP are committed to diversity and strive to embody a positive model of inclusion. As such, we encourage performers of all ages, ethnicities, and gender identities, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend our auditions. In keeping with the mission of Pork Filled Productions, we especially encourage performers of Asian or Asian-American background to audition; performers of all backgrounds are welcome.

Rehearsal & Performance Schedule:

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 6-10pm and Sundays from 2-6pm, beginning March 13. (Exception: There is no rehearsal on Weds March 20. Rehearsal will be held instead on Tuesday March 19 from 6-10pm.)

Tech and dress rehearsals will be April 28-May 1.

Performances will begin Thursday, May 2, 2024, and end on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

The performance schedule is:
May 2, 3, 4 (Th/Fr/Sat) evenings
May 5 (Sun) matinee
May 9, 10, 11 ((Th/Fr/Sat) evenings
May 12 (Sun) matinee
May 13 (Mon) Industry night performance
May 16, 17, 18 (Th/Fr/Sat) evenings

Performances will be held at Theater Off Jackson in the International District, Seattle.

Auditions:

Please submit your information via this form to sign up for auditions.

The deadline for submissions is January 29, 2024.

Auditionees will receive notification of their assigned one-hour audition slot by February 5, 2024.

Auditions will be held in-person, in one-hour small group workshops, on the following dates:

Sunday, Feb 11 from 6-9:30pm @ the Drama Room at the University Heights Center (5031 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105).

Monday, Feb 12 from 7-9:15pm @ West of Lenin (203 N 36th St #204, Seattle, WA 98103)

Of note, the audition venue at West of Lenin is accessed by stairs and is not ADA accessible; the audition venue at the University Heights Center has an elevator and is ADA accessible.

Pay rates:

ACCESSIBILITY / PRIVACY NOTICE: This questionnaire inquires about any accessibility needs you may have for a successful environment and experience. Only JCI/PFP staff related to this project will have access to relevant answers from this form, and only for the purposes of accessibility and administration. Please contact Michael Latham (Stage Manager, sctmike628@gmail.com) if you have any concerns or questions regarding the use of information on this form.