Never Again: Testimonies from the Japanese American Incarceration

Dukesbay Productions & Stephanie Anne Johnson present Never Again: Testimonies from the Japanese American Incarceration, edited by Aya Hashiguchi Clark, directed by Randy Clark, with music by Stephanie Anne Johnson.

Aya Hashiguchi Clark explains: “There will be local Tacoma actors reading various first-person accounts of niseis (second generation Japanese-Americans) sharing their memories of the internment, which also includes memories of Pearl Harbor, the evacuation to Camp Harmony in Puyallup, their transfer to Minidoka Relocation Center (the "permanent" internment facility) in Hunt, ID, a bit about life in camp and post-camp life returning to Seattle.  Not all the actors who read will be Asian-Americans.  This is in contrast to how we usually cast shows for Dukesbay.  This time, we want to make the point that internment, especially in today's uncertain political climate, could happen to anyone.  Many different religious and ethnic groups have been singled out by the incoming administration. I want the audience to be reminded that internment could mean incarceration for their neighbors, friends or even themselves.”

In 1942, ten weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorizing the forced removal of American citizens of Japanese ancestry and resident aliens from Japan.  Mostly caused by wartime hysteria and anti-Japanese racism, the incarceration of 120,000 people is remembered as one of America’s worst mass violations of civil rights.

Never Again is presented as a staged reading with live musical performance.  Testimonies and interviews were provided by Densho, a grassroots organization in Seattle dedicated to preserving, educating, and sharing the story of WWII-era incarceration of Japanese-Americans.  

This is a one-night-only production.

Tacoma Little Theatre

210 N. I St. Tacoma, WA 98403

7:30 pm - 10:00pm

Tickets: $10 general admission,  $7 students/seniors/educators

For tickets: www.tacomalittletheatre.com

or call TLT's Box Office at: 253-272-2281