Solo Fest 2025 Spotlight: Miyoko Sakatani’s I WASN’T ALWAYS AN ASIAN
Join us for PlayGround’s eighth annual Solo Performance Festival, a curation of the best in California solo performance! The festival runs until February 9, 2025 (Fri-Sun), presented live on our stage and also simulcast online. More…
Today we’re spotlighting Miyoko Sakatani in I Wasn’t Always An Asian (2/2, 2/8, & 2/9 at 4pm). Miyoko takes us on a funny and sometimes serious look at what it means to be Asian-American and more specifically, Japanese-American. The performance is a mix of biography, stand-up, storytelling, and an impersonation of an iconic Japanese-American woman. She will take us on a journey of how the Japanese-American’s rose from the depth of exclusion, anti-Asian laws and imprisonment to economic and educational success as “model minorities.” And how Japan’s cultural exports influenced and contributed to the lives of the Japanese in America. She also gives the audience a look into how America’s traditional cinematic and theatrical history deeply influenced her perspective and place in America, and why there are so few notable Japanese-Americans in the performing arts compared to other Asian cultures.
Hear from the playwright:
What was the seed of this play? What inspired you to write it?
The seed of my solo is my own journey of what it means to be Japanese in America, and how my Japanese cultural traditions and lifestyle has shaped my identity as an American.
Why is a solo show the ideal way to tell this story?
Solo shows are a wonderful format for autobiographical stories and to share some themes of my cultural heritage in the form of entertainment.
What are your artistic influences for this show?
My artistic influences are from watching some great solo performances and the impact it had on me as an actor and in my life. PlayGround’s Solo Fest has also given me the inspiration to tell my story.
What surprised you during the creation of this piece?
While writing about all things Japanese, I would recollect many events in my life that were previously distant or lost memories.
Is there anything audiences should know about you or your piece before they attend? And/or is there anything else you want to share about your piece?
My solo is an unapologetic ethnocentric look at my Japanese American heritage and lineage.
Miyoko Sakatani (I WASN’T ALWAYS AN ASIAN) she/her, is a SAG-AFTRA-e stage and screen actor, singer, writer, producer and a proud company member of PlayGround. Miyoko has performed on many Bay Area regional and community theater stages over many years, including writing and performing her solo piece, which she performed in PlayGround’s 2024 Solo Fest. Film credits include the award winning Samuel Goldwyn film East Side Sushi (IMDb.com/Miyoko Sakatani). As founding director of Playland Productions, Miyoko has produced and co-directed several short films and stage plays. Miyoko is also a member of a Bay Area all Asian ukulele band who performs regularly and gratuitously for residential care facilities.