Somebody is Looking Back At Me by Jesse Jae Hoon

In this time-jumping fever dream satire, bestselling Asian American author Olivia returns to the Chinatown she wrote about, but the only thing that feels welcoming in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood is a group of successful old college classmates who have recently moved in and are suddenly very excited to hang out with her. Olivia believes she has finally found her community — but the more she learns about...
In this time-jumping fever dream satire, bestselling Asian American author Olivia returns to the Chinatown she wrote about, but the only thing that feels welcoming in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood is a group of successful old college classmates who have recently moved in and are suddenly very excited to hang out with her. Olivia believes she has finally found her community — but the more she learns about her new friends’ role in transforming the area, the more she feels like she has to choose between the lifestyle her career has afforded her and the values she preaches in her writing.
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SOMEBODY IS LOOKING BACK AT ME was developed as part of The Playwrights Realm’s Writing Fellowship (Katherine Kovner, Founding Artistic Director | Roberta Pereira, Executive Director).
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Somebody is Looking Back At Me

Recommended by

  • Jasmine Sharma:
    3 May. 2023
    “ A truly sick jam! A rhythmic, fast-paced interrogation of identity and class in the pursuit of community. Gorgeous portrayal of a young people seeking justice with interpersonal consequences. ”
  • Francisco Mendoza:
    29 Apr. 2023
    “ This play made me feel all kinds of feelings as it explored the concept of “elite capture” exemplified in a group of Asian American friends who fight AAPI hate by… gentrifying a neighborhood. Jae Hoon's script challenges the "when one of us rises, we all rise" mentality by asking tough questions - and making you laugh a LOT along the way. "Siri, play my sick jams!" ”
  • Shaun Leisher:
    16 Apr. 2023
    “ An absolutely breathtaking play about community and knowing where you came from. ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Olivia / Sally
    20s,
    Chinese American
    ,
    Female
    Hopeful, passionate, bookish, ambitious, credulous, a little shy – over an active volcano of rage, jealousy, and desperation.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Suyin
    60s,
    Chinese American
    ,
    Female
    Persistent, bold, tired. Where do we know her from…?
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Hae-Won / Bong-Cha
    20s,
    Mixed Race / Korean American / Wasian
    ,
    Female
    Leaderlike, loyal, and fierce.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Mahalia
    60s,
    Filipino American
    ,
    Female
    Unfiltered, unbothered, unbreakable.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Nathan / Fai
    20s,
    Chinese American
    ,
    Male
    Determined, confident-presenting, definitely never insecure about anything ever.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Analyn / Grace
    20s,
    Filipino American
    ,
    Female
    Zen, all-knowing, empathetic – she sees you, she hears you.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female

Development History