SHOYU TELL

by Sam Hamashima

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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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: SHOYU TELL by Sam Hamashima
    “

    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.

    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

One actress plays MRS. MOORE and LUNA.
One actress plays EMILY and REIKO.
One actor plays GARY and FEAR.

5 Performers: 2M, 3F
  • LUNA
    LUCAS' kitty. Reveals herself to be a Maneki Neko or "Lucky Cat" from Japanese Mythology.
    timeless
    Japanese,
    Asian American
    (assigned female at birth)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • GARY
    The playground bully. Maybe on the inside there's something nice?
    8-12
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • MRS. MOORE
    Teacher. Speaks to the class as if they are the same age.
    20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • EMILY
    Boss Lady and Single Mother. How does she do it? Who knows !!
    30s, 40s,
    Japanese,
    Japanese American,
    Asian
    Cis female,
    Any,
    could be queer
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • REIKO
    Ancestor of LUCAS. Comes to teach him a lesson.
    timeless
    Japanese,
    Japanese American,
    Asian
    Cis female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • FEAR
    Where you least expect them to be. Always around.
    unknown
    unknown
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
  • LUCAS
    Carries with him a tin lunchbox. Enjoys his sushi but is afraid after...well, you'll see! Curious and honest.
    8-12
    Japanese,
    Asian,
    Asian mixed race
    (assigned male at birth - not relevant),
    Agender/Non-binary (they/them)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • PAULA
    Horse Girl not interested in your gossip. But always there to be a friend.
    8-12
    African / African American / Black
    Cis female (She/Her)
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      White

Development History

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

Production History

  • Workshop, Purple Crayon Players - Northwestern University, 2021

Awards

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