SHOYU TELL

Rated G. Shoyu Tell is a bite sized TYA piece looking at a young student's decision to bring "Family Food" to "School Lunch". Mixing the Japanese word for Soy-sauce and the Elementary School "Show and Tell", this script will let audiences in on the importance of food in Japanese American culture and the courage it takes to be different.
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SHOYU TELL

Recommended by

  • Jay Hayden:
    29 Sep. 2021
    Absolutely loving this piece. The theatricality of facing internal and external pressures is presented in such a lighthearted but grounded way. <3 So, so fun.

Character Information

  • REIKO
    timeless,
    Japanese, Japanese American, Asian
    ,
    Cis female
    Ancestor of LUCAS. Comes to teach him a lesson.
  • PAULA
    8-12,
    African / African American / Black
    ,
    Cis female (She/Her)
    Horse Girl not interested in your gossip. But always there to be a friend.
  • MRS. MOORE
    20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Teacher. Speaks to the class as if they are the same age.
  • LUNA
    timeless,
    Japanese, Asian American
    ,
    (assigned female at birth)
    LUCAS' kitty. Reveals herself to be a Maneki Neko or "Lucky Cat" from Japanese Mythology.
  • LUCAS
    8-12,
    Japanese, Asian, Asian mixed race
    ,
    (assigned male at birth - not relevant), Agender/Non-binary (they/them)
    Carries with him a tin lunchbox. Enjoys his sushi but is afraid after...well, you'll see! Curious and honest.
  • GARY
    8-12,
    White
    ,
    Male
    The playground bully. Maybe on the inside there's something nice?
  • FEAR
    unknown, Array,
    unknown
    Where you least expect them to be. Always around.
  • EMILY
    30s, 40s, ,
    Japanese, Japanese American, Asian
    ,
    Cis female, Any, could be queer
    Boss Lady and Single Mother. How does she do it? Who knows !!

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Purple Crayon Players - Northwestern University
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Lexington Children's Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Commission
    ,
    Lexington Children's Theatre
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Purple Crayon Players - Northwestern University
    ,
    2021

Awards

Finalist
,
ReImagine: New Plays in TYA
,
TYA/USA, Write Now, CTFA, and The Kennedy Center
,
2021