Pearl Dust from a Gun

by Esmé Maria Ng

Simply put - this is a play about a family in two acts. It is the summer of 1975 in Chinatown, NYC. A working-class family each experience a summer of change and growth as their oldest prepares to leave for college and their youngest is experiencing her first love. However, the father's growing involvement in the Flying Dragons gang begins to impact those around him in tragic and unexpected ways. A generation...

Simply put - this is a play about a family in two acts. It is the summer of 1975 in Chinatown, NYC. A working-class family each experience a summer of change and growth as their oldest prepares to leave for college and their youngest is experiencing her first love. However, the father's growing involvement in the Flying Dragons gang begins to impact those around him in tragic and unexpected ways. A generation later, a fragmented family disagrees on how to tell this story - if at all.

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Pearl Dust from a Gun

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Pearl Dust from a Gun by Esmé Maria Ng
    “

    A fantastic play about family and writing the story of others. Ng has crafted wonderful characters and uses meta-theatricality brilliantly.

    A fantastic play about family and writing the story of others. Ng has crafted wonderful characters and uses meta-theatricality brilliantly.

    ”
  • Premiere Stages: Pearl Dust from a Gun by Esmé Maria Ng
    “

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Pearl Dust from a Gun” by Esmé Ng as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Pearl Dust from a Gun” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the innovative use of form, as well as the authentic interpersonal family drama. Our congratulations and thanks to Esmé.

    Premiere Stages, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Kean University, is pleased to recognize “Pearl Dust from a Gun” by Esmé Ng as a Semi-Finalist for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. “Pearl Dust from a Gun” rose through a competitive selection process conducted by Premiere staff and a panel of outside theatre professionals to become one of 40 Semi-Finalists out of 701 submissions. The panel was particularly impressed by the innovative use of form, as well as the authentic interpersonal family drama. Our congratulations and thanks to Esmé.

    ”
  • Liana Irvine: Pearl Dust from a Gun by Esmé Maria Ng
    “

    Esme Marie Ng writes with dexterity and unapology. Working with Ng on this piece was a joy -- with a sense of play, studiousness, and refinement in each meeting. Over our time together, my perceptions of PEARL DUST FROM A GUN's themes grew. Some that currently stick with me are: a private family story turned public, gaze on the individual by media/press/advertisement, incarceration and collectivism/mutual aid being in conversation with one another (as demonstrated by one family).

    Esme Marie Ng writes with dexterity and unapology. Working with Ng on this piece was a joy -- with a sense of play, studiousness, and refinement in each meeting. Over our time together, my perceptions of PEARL DUST FROM A GUN's themes grew. Some that currently stick with me are: a private family story turned public, gaze on the individual by media/press/advertisement, incarceration and collectivism/mutual aid being in conversation with one another (as demonstrated by one family).

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Workshop, Workshop Theater, 2022
  • Workshop, Wesleyan University, Advanced Playwriting, taught by Prof. Edwin Sánchez, 2021

Awards

  • Premiere Play Festival
    Premiere Stages at Kean University
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • National Playwriting Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Departmental Honors in American Studies
    Wesleyan University
    2022