Dong Xuan Center

by Jesse Jae Hoon

In the newly created center of Berlin’s Northern Vietnamese community, Lili, a 14-year-old Vietnamese middle school student, and her sister Nathalie struggle to repair their relationship after the death of their late mother. When Lili befriends her German former bully – who has a dark secret of his own – the sisters' relationship to their adopted country and to each other will be pushed to the brink.

In the newly created center of Berlin’s Northern Vietnamese community, Lili, a 14-year-old Vietnamese middle school student, and her sister Nathalie struggle to repair their relationship after the death of their late mother. When Lili befriends her German former bully – who has a dark secret of his own – the sisters' relationship to their adopted country and to each other will be pushed to the brink.

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Dong Xuan Center

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Dong Xuan Center by Jesse Jae Hoon
    “

    A brilliant play about a piece of history so few know about. Can't wait to see this produced.

    A brilliant play about a piece of history so few know about. Can't wait to see this produced.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Dong Xuan Center by Jesse Jae Hoon
    “

    What a beautiful piece! Lili is a compelling protagonist, and her journey is unique and nuanced. What I admire most about this play is how subtle the shading is for every character. The natural rhythms of speech are captured beautifully, along with thoughtful and at times lyrical monologues that don't feel forced but, rather, feel like genuine moments of revelation for the characters speaking them. Like the best plays, the specificity and richness of these characters from a world so different from my own only heightens the universality of the themes. Citizenship, belonging, betweenness...

    What a beautiful piece! Lili is a compelling protagonist, and her journey is unique and nuanced. What I admire most about this play is how subtle the shading is for every character. The natural rhythms of speech are captured beautifully, along with thoughtful and at times lyrical monologues that don't feel forced but, rather, feel like genuine moments of revelation for the characters speaking them. Like the best plays, the specificity and richness of these characters from a world so different from my own only heightens the universality of the themes. Citizenship, belonging, betweenness/cultural liminality--so much to think about!

    read more
    ”

Character Information

The actor playing JOSEPH and MRS. DAO can double as other small roles.
  • Lili
    Shy but an extrovert, inquisitive but defensive, open to new ideas, good at being on her own.
    14
    Vietnamese-German
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Nathalie
    Lili’s older sister and legal guardian, current owner of her late mother’s restaurant. Protective, practical, family-oriented, funny.
    27
    Vietnamese-German
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Sinh
    A German tutor living in Spandau. Kind-hearted, excitable, but hates confrontation. A German university graduate, you won’t find a more vocal supporter of the former West Germany.
    20s
    Vietnamese-German
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Max
    Independent, impressionable, confident he knows what he’s talking about – even a bit past the point at which he doesn’t.
    14
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Mrs. Dao
    She can haggle, make a sale, babysit like a pro, and could probably beat you up.
    70s
    Vietnamese
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Tuan
    Formerly a fighter for Vietnam’s National Liberation Front (aka Viet Cong), now a broke barber. Taciturn, intimidating, but now harmless.
    40s
    Vietnamese
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Joseph
    Desperate, resentful, barely functioning alcoholic, looking for somebody to blame.
    50s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Ma-Yi Theater Compay, 2020

Awards