About this Event
3rd Annual AAPI Playwright Festival
An unforgettable evening of bold new theater, fresh voices, and community.
Join Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) and San Jose Stage for our 3rd Annual AAPI Playwright Festival, a dynamic celebration of original storytelling that spotlights exciting AAPI playwrights and the future of theater.
Experience six compelling new short works by an outstanding lineup of playwrights:
- Tasi Alabastro
- Anne Yumi Kobori
- Suhashini Krishnan
- Jenny Nguyen Nelson
- Aimee Suzara
- Phil Wong
Curated by acclaimed Artistic Producer Jeffrey Lo, with Assistant Producer Reed Flores, and directed by Reed Flores and Melissa Mei Jones, this one-night festival offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience new plays in development before they move on to future productions.
Expect an evening of stories that are funny, moving, provocative, surprising, and deeply human, reflecting the diversity, creativity, and lived experiences of AAPI communities.
Whether you’re a longtime theater lover, passionate supporter of AAPI arts, or simply curious to discover something new, the AAPI Playwright Festival offers an intimate and energizing theater experience unlike any other.
Because new plays need audiences, too.
Come be part of the creative journey.
Make it a full cultural weekend!
Enhance your festival experience with our Guided San Jose Japantown Cultural District Walking Tour, presented in partnership with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose, taking place during the vibrant Obon Festival weekend on Sunday, July 12th!
** PLEASE NOTE: The AAPI Playwright Festival and the San Jose Japantown Guided Walking Tour are 2 separate events and require separate ticket purchases. Purchasing a ticket for one event does not include admission to the other.
EVENT DETAILS
3rd Annual AAPI Playwright Festival
Venue: San Jose Stage Theater, 490 S. 1st Street, Downtown San Jose
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm, Doors Open at 6:45 pm
San Jose Japantown Cultural District Walking Tour
Location: San Jose Japantown, Special Parking Area in Japantown (ticketed guests will be notified of exact location)
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, the walking tour is about 90-minutes
The guided San Jose Japantown District Walking Tour is open to festival-goers and the general public; a separate ticket is required, and space is limited. So don’t wait to purchase. Secure your spot early.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HeCLDhPyUQc
https://youtube.com/shorts/LVFbU547WYI
Event venue & nearby stays
San Jose Stage, 490 South 1st Street, San Jose, United States
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