Ascent, the final play by the late Henry Ong, receives its world premiere at Skylight Theatre, directed by Diana Wyenn. Based on the true story of Qian Xuesen, the aerospace engineer who co-founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and helped advance America's space program, the play traces how Cold War paranoia led to his deportation—and ultimately propelled China's nuclear and space capabilities. The cast features Trieu Tran, Iris Liu, Russell Edge, and Jorge-Luis Pallo. The production also serves as a tribute to Ong, a significant figure in Los Angeles theatre for over thirty-five years, bringing his last completed work to the stage for the first time.
Cast and Creative Team for Ascent at Skylight Theatre
Cast
Trieu Tran
Qian Xuesen
Iras Liu
Jiang Ying
Russell Edge
Man 1
Jorge-Luis Pallo
Man 2
Creative Team
Carrie Menkel-Meadows
Producer
Diana Wyenn
Director
Robert Meadows
Producer
Stella Ong
Producer
Matthew Black
Associate Producer
Randy Wong-Westbrooke
Scenic Designer
Yuki Izumihara
Projection Designer
Mylette Nora
Costume Designer
Joey Guthman
Lighting Designer
John Zalewski
Sound Designer
Brittany White
Props Designer
Shyree Mezick
Casting Director
Jacob Padilla
Production Stage Manager
Shuwen Cao
Assistant Director
News About Ascent at Skylight Theatre
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