HOLD THESE TRUTHS Opens Next Month at ACT

Inspired by the true story of University of Washington student Gordon Hirabayashi, Hold These Truths follows Gordon during the U.S. Government's decision to forcibly remove and incarcerate people of Japanese ancestry during World War II.

Hirabayashi openly defied the relocation and internment and refused to report for evacuation to an internment camp, instead turning himself in to the FBI to assert his belief that these practices were racially discriminatory. Consequently, he was convicted by a U.S. Federal District Court in Seattle of defying the exclusion order and violating curfew. Hirabayashi appealed his conviction all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled against him in 1943. Following World War II and his imprisonment, Hirabayashi obtained a doctoral degree in sociology and became a professor. In 1987, his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Ryun Yu stars in Jeanne Sakata's solo show about Gordon Hirabayashi as he fights to reconcile his country's betrayal and to maintain his passionate belief in the U.S. Constitution. In Hold These Truths we witness Hirabayashi as he journeys toward a greater understanding of America's triumphs - and a confrontation with its failures.

Hold These Truths came to Seattle via the ACTLab last summer and immediately captivated audiences, impressed critics and sold out performances. This year the show makes the jump to ACT's mainstage season with dozens of performances in the Fall Theatre.

"Jeanne Sakata's eloquent one-man drama about civil rights giant Gordon Hirabayashi provides a concise examination of a fascinating chapter in American history." - The Washington Post/API

Cast:

Ryun Yu as Gordon Hirabayashi

Creative Team:

Jessica Kubzansky - Director

Ben Zamora - Scenic and Lighting Designer

Brendan Patrick Hogan - Sound Designer

John Zalewski - Original Sound Designer

Michael B. Paul - Stage Manager

Victoria Thompson - Production Assistant

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