A Call to Give From Tamlyn Tomita & Daniel Blinkoff…
Dear Friends,
We both have excitedly, nervously, and most proudly made our East West Players (EWP) stage debut this year in Spring Awakening! We have been ardent supporters of EWP since Tamlyn’s introduction to its first home on Little Santa Monica Boulevard in 1981, and it has been a safe, brave space for us and so many in our beloved communities.
EWP is one of few places for emerging artists to gain their grounding, get in the room, and learn to navigate their career, becoming a home to grow up and connect with one another for over 58 years. We are only two small pebbles in the path of Asian American artists, storytellers, and their allies—though it is wonderful to look back at those who came before us, it is also important to recognize our personal duty to those who are the future of the Asian American experience. Every member of the Spring Awakening cast is making their EWP debut, with many making their first professional theatrical debut. EWP is an essential refuge of the Asian American community whose doors must remain open for generations to come.
I, Tamlyn, am well aware of the shoes I am lucky to stand in—to be old enough to have witnessed the founding members of EWP under the artistic directorship of Mako; to have worked on the last effort of EWP's second Artistic Director, Nobu McCarthy before her passing; for both Daniel and I to have been lucky enough to work under the return of EWP's third Artistic Director, Tim Dang; and to have supported EWP's most recent Artistic Director, Snehal Desai, during his tenure. We tip our hats to all who have come before us at EWP, and await tossing those same hats in the air in celebration of all that is possible for the future.
As we come to the end of the year, EWP needs your help and generosity fostering the artists of our future as they grow into their power. The EWP Board has issued a challenge match of $50,000, meaning your tax-deductible donation will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your gift’s impact if you make a contribution by December 31, 2023.
It not only takes heart to produce art on our stage, but also requires that we humbly ask everyone who can to contribute and play their part in the continuing legacy of East West Players.
THANK YOU for all the ways you support EWP. We could not do any of what we do without you. As always, we welcome you into EWP—our home—and we hope to see you here soon!!!!
All the best,
Tamlyn Tomita & Daniel Blinkoff