Philip Kan Gotanda– The Chronicler of the Asian American Experience

Abstract

Since the 1970s, Philip Kan Gotanda has been at the heart of the Asian American theatre movement and has become the voice of Asian American experience, producing theatrical works that can speak in different voices of Asian Americans and encompass a broad range of dramatic styles. Along with other playwrights such as David Henry Hwang, Momoko Iko, Velina Hasu Houston and Wakako Yamauchi, Gotanda is considered an influential figure in the second wave of dramatists, who follow the footsteps of the pioneer Frank Chin, to develop a viable Asian American theatre. From the beginning of his career, Gotanda's works have been successfully presented and produced at both Asian American theatres and mainstream venues across the United States.