Leading Asian TV Drama to Receive Staged Reading

A staged reading of the groundbreaking new drama TV pilot, NISEI, is set to take place at the Japanese American National Museum on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at 2:00PM. The reading is open to the public. Museum members and valid ticket holders can make a reservation at rsvp@janm.org.

The pilot and series follows Kenji Takagi, a Veteran of these 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and his family after they're released from the Tule Lake Internment Camp. The pilot episode 'GAMAN' tells the story of Takagi's family return to San Francisco and their first steps at establishing a new life after losing everything due to their internment by the American government.

Recent events like the Muslim Ban, and fears that persecution of minorities will escalate punctuate the importance of the story of Nisei; there's no better time than now for this story to be told.

"Diversity was also a key element in the creation of this show," says show creator Richard Allen, "Our main goal was create a rich story with great characters that Asian American actors wanted to play." Co-creator, Eliot Hagen earnestly reminds everyone, "Asian Americans are disproportionately under-represented in TV and Film. We hope to change that with Nisei."

The reading stars Roy Huang (Joyful Noise, Scream Queens), Tamlyn Tomita (Eureka, Teen Wolf), Francois Chau (Lost), Grace Su (Speechless, American Horror Story), Stefanie Butler (Stranger Things), Ian Lauer (The Musician, Enter the Dragon), Chad Colliins (Sniper Series, Extinct). Following the reading, there will be a brief Q&A session with the creators and producers - Richard Allen, Eliot John Hagen, and Koji Steven Sakai. A reception will be held following the reading.

The Japanese American National Museum is a museumdedicated to preserving the history and culture of Japanese Americans. It is located in the Little Tokyo area near downtown Los Angeles, California. The museum is an affiliate within the Smithsonian Affiliations program.