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LGBTQ + Theatre - Chay Yew Presents the Final Few Performances of A LANGUAGE OF THEIR OWN

A thoughtful, intimate, and emotional examination of ethnic and sexual identity in the face of the AIDS crisis

By:

A Language of Their Own by Chay Yew, a thoughtful, intimate, and emotional examination of ethnic and sexual identity in the face of the AIDS crisis. Oscar and Ming had been together for four years, but they break up after Oscar is diagnosed with AIDS.

Despite beginning relationships with new boyfriends, neither is able to let the other go completely. They find navigating these relationships is just as complicated as when they were together - like learning and creating the nuances of a new language.

A Language of Their Own is by award-winning playwright Chay Yew and is directed by Andrew Klaus-Vineyard, with associate director Samson Syharath at Portland Center Stage (128 NW 11th Ave.) Sept. 10th at 7:30pm and Portland Actors Conservatory Conservatory (1436 SW Montgomery St.), Sept. 18th at 2pm

Funding support from The Equity Foundation.

NOTE: The play contains strong sexual language and situations. Parental discretion for minors is advised.

Tickets are $10 for general seating and $5 for Oregon Trail cardholders, students and AIDS Walk participants (provide registration).

9/10 at 7:30pm at Portland Center Stage at The Armory?, click the button in their blog post: https://www.pcs.org/blog/a-language-of-their-own-with-theatre-diaspora

9/18 at 2pm at Portland Actors Conservatory?, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2582926 , or click the "Donate" button at www.theatrediaspora.org (note show date, quantity, and rate with purchase)

MediaRites' Theatre Diaspora also features two conversations with community members exploring the intersections of communities of color, LGBTQ communities, and HIV+ communities after the staged readings.

Portland Center Stage , Sept. 10 at 7:30pm (following the play)

  • Lusijah Marx, RN, PMHNP, Psy.D, Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder, Quest Center for Integrative Health.
  • Teresa Nguyen, Board of Directors Member, Q Center
  • Amalia Alarcón de Morris, Actor and Diversity Consultant.
  • Lara Klingeman, Theatre Professional and AIDS Crisis Witness.
  • Kevin Stufflebean-Kahakauwila, Co-Chair, Southern Oregon Coast Pride.

Portland Actors Conservatory, Sept. 18 at 2pm (following the play)

Theatre Diaspora is Oregon's only professional Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) theatre company, committed to portraying authentic AAPI cultural, historical, and social perspectives to reach broad audiences. By strongly advocating through compelling performances and post-show discussions, Theatre Diaspora bridges communities to foster inclusion, social-awareness, and open conversations on race and cultural diversity - celebrating the AAPI experience.Theatre Diaspora is a project of MediaRites, an award-winning non-profit organization focused on cultural diversity by providing voices to the unheard. To learn more, visit the website: www.theatrediaspora.org.
See more info at our Facebook Event Page Page. https://www.facebook.com/events/1010447725700406/

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best New Musical - Top 3
1. The Lost Boys
39.6% of votes
2. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
25.1% of votes
3. Schmigadoon!
22.2% of votes

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