JUSTICE AT WAR

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Cast

Creative Team

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Kansas City Art Institute for original production designs by the Illustration Department’s student staffed agency, MICRO: Justice at War design by Dani Mays.

Financial assistance for this project has been generously provided by National Endowment for the Arts, Missouri Arts Council, The Shubert Foundation, The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, and Theater League.

The Coterie is a 501(c)3 nonprofit professional theatre, and a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and Theatre for Young Audiences/USA: The US chapter of ASSITEJ, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. Justice at War is a professional production employing members of Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, representing more than 45,000 professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.

The video taping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Cell phones are to be put away during the performance.

+ Denotes Coterie resident artist

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Notes from dramaturg Anne Shimojima

     On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the lives of Japanese Americans were changed forever. Over 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned, many in horse stalls in assembly centers and then in the stark barracks of concentration camps in the desolate west for the crime of looking like the enemy.

     Three Japanese Americans, Gordon Hirabayashi (1943), Fred Korematsu (1944), and Min Yasui (1943), also brought cases to the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the curfew and exclusion orders. All three lost. In Mitsuye Endo’s case, her lawyer, James C. Purcell, filed a writ of habeas corpus, choosing Endo as the perfect plaintiff. Endo, born in California in 1920, had never been to Japan, did not speak Japanese, had attended California public schools, was a Methodist, worked for the California state government, and had a brother in the U.S. army. She had dutifully filled out the government’s “loyalty questionnaire,” as required of all incarcerated adult Japanese Americans. She was reluctant at first but said later, “It was awfully hard for me. I agreed to do it at that moment, because they said it’s for the good of everybody, and so I said, well if that’s it, I’ll go ahead and do it. I never imagined it would go to the Supreme Court.”

       Judge Michael J. Roche of the United States District Court in Northern California ruled against her. The government offered to release her with the stipulation that she never return to California, but Endo refused and remained in camp for another two years, believing that her case was too important to abandon. 

     On December 18, 1944, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Endo’s favor, declaring that the government had no authority to imprison loyal citizens. The Roosevelt administration knew that the ruling was coming and the day before had rescinded the exclusion order. Two weeks later, on January 2, 1945, the War Department formally lifted the exclusion order and Japanese Americans were free to go home. The Supreme Court decision, however, did not address the constitutionality of the exclusion and incarceration of Japanese Americans. 

       After her release, Endo moved to Chicago and worked as a secretary for the Mayor’s Committee on Race Relations. She married Kenneth Tsutumi, whom she had met in camp, and raised three children. She lived very quietly and refused interviews, agreeing only to one short oral history in John Tateishi’s book, And Justice for All. Even her own daughter did not know of her mother’s story until she was in her 20s. 

       Mitsuye Endo died on April 14, 2006 but her name and legacy live on in the history of the United States and the hearts of Japanese American community.

What got you into theatre? ...and other biographical notes from the cast, designers & production team

Eunice Png

Mitsuye Endo

Eunice Png got into theatre because she enjoys stepping into the metaphorical skin of a character and experiencing the world through their eyes. Eunice is an actor, singer, and songwriter who recently moved to Kansas City from Singapore. She is excited to make her Kansas City debut in professional theatre at The Coterie. Eunice has trained, most notably, with Karen Allen famous for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, John Emigh at Brown University, and at the Powerhouse Apprenticeship at New York Stage and Film. Her favorite role was Mimi from RENT, and she loves working on musicals and new plays. Eunice stepped away from theatre for a decade to focus on her music career in Asia but is now back! Eunice has a degree in Contemporary Vocal Performance and has released several indie-pop albums and award-winning singles in English and Mandarin. Eunice has a degree in Vocal Performance from McNally Smith College of Music, a BA in Economics from Brown University, a degree from Bard College at Simon's Rock, and was a Powerhouse Summer Acting Apprentice at New York Stage and Film. When she’s not on stage, Eunice enjoys writing songs and hanging out with her 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 husband.

Diane Bulan

News Person/Bailiff

Diane Bulan knew she wanted to be an actor and director at the age of ten when her dad took her to see the theatrical re-releases of all the James Stewart films directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Diane is an actor, director, and teaching artist. JUSTICE AT WAR marks Diane's Coterie debut. On stage, she has recently performed for Theatre for Young America, The Living Room Theatre, Whim Productions, Midtown International Theatre Festival (New York), Music Theater Heritage, The Black Hills Playhouse, and Great Plains Theatre. As a director, her recent productions include THE SECRET IN THE WINGS at William Jewell College; MEN ON BOATS at Bell Road Barn Players; SUPERIOR DONUTS at Olathe Civic Theatre; LOUIE, LOUIE AND LA DOLCE VITA and THE GIN GAME for Talking Horse Productions; and EQUUS at Barn Players. Diane has a BA in Theatre and Film from University of Kansas and, since 1998, has also done plays and workshops for Kansas City Young Audiences. For almost 20 years, Diane has also worked as a simulated patient at several schools, where she "acts sick" in order to evaluate the clinical skills of medical students.

Alton Takiyama-Chung

Chief Justice Stone/Japanese Man

Alton Takiyama-Chung found himself in theatre as a favor for a co-worker at a hi-tech firm. Starting by learning theater lighting eventually led to Alton serving as the technical director for a couple of start-up theater companies where he learned about storytelling and dramatic monologues. As Japanese-Korean, Alton grew up with the superstitions and the magic of the Hawaiian Islands. He is a professional storyteller and has appeared in one-man shows and has performed dramatic monologues for 20 years. Some of his specialties are tales from Hawaii, Asian folktales, and stories of the Japanese-American experience of WWII. He teaches and performs nationally and internationally, having performed in the Cayman Islands, Singapore, India, Vietnam, and Thailand. Alton has a BA in Zoology from University of Washington; a MA in Oceanography from Oregon State University; and a MBA from Oregon State University. He also is the editor-in-chief of "The Story Beast," a storytelling e-Publication (www.storybeast.org) and is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for National Storytelling Network, the Kansas City-based national organization for storytellers across the U.S. Find out more about Alton at www.altonchung.com.

Scott Cordes*

General DeWitt/First Person

Scott Cordes found his way into theatre when his seventh grade English teacher chose him to participate in a program with a visiting Theatre professor because she realized that he would connect with the story better by acting it out, not just reading and writing about it. It was only for a week, but it changed his life! Scott is a familiar face to Coterie audiences after previously appearing in HUCK FINN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, FIDDLIN' AROUND, MONKEY & THE GOLDEN SUNRISE, THE JUNGLE BOOK, SACAGAWEA, and THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE. He has also appeared in ROMEO AND JULIET, HAMLET, TWELFTH NIGHT, TAMING OF THE SHREW, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and TEMPEST at Heart of America Shakespeare Festival; OF MICE AND MEN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE DEPUTY, DEATH OF A SALESMAN at Kansas City Repertory Theatre; BLACKBIRD and TRIGGER HAPPY at The Living Room Theatre; HAMLET, GOOD PEOPLE, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, and TALLY AND SONS at Kansas City Actors Theatre; THE EXONERATED, TAKE ME OUT, and SIDEMAN at Unicorn Theatre; and SHERWOOD, THE FOREIGNER, HARVEY, BILOXI BLUES, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and THE ODD COUPLE at New Theatre & Restaurant. Find out more about Scott at www.scottcordes.com.

Casey Jane

Solicitor General Fahy/Second Person

Casey Jane was a sensitive and observant kid who felt an early drive to express raw emotion in a transformative way. Theatre can be a bit magical and Casey is always seeking to feed that creative bug that bit her many years ago. Casey works as an actor/producer/director/writer/video editor around Kansas City and with her theatre and film company, Rising Tide Productions. For Casey, JUSTICE AT WAR marks a lot of firsts: it's Casey's debut on The Coterie stage; it's the first time she has ever played a lawyer (despite years of loving courtroom dramas); and it's the first time Casey's nine-year-old son, Saxon, will see his mom perform on stage! Casey's previous credits include ON THE VERANDA and CHAOS ENSUES with Warehouse Ensemble; CRAVE with THUD Productions; WHEN/TIME with No Divide KC; BARBECUE with KC MeltingPot Theatre; THE HOLY TRINITY and AMUCK, AMUCK, AMUCK! with Kansas City Public Theatre; ALMOST, SORTA, MAYBE with IX Productions, WICKED CREATURES with The Confluence Theatre Company, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and ELEPHANT with Rising Tide Productions, and THE DEATH OF CUPID with The Living Room Theatre. Casey is appearing in two feature films shooting this Fall, a third film premiering in November, and is currently editing a music video that she produced, wrote, and starred in, premiering in 2023. Casey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Theatre from Truman State University. To find out more about Casey visit www.bit.ly/caseyjanekc or to find out more about Rising Tide Productions visit www.bit.ly/risingtidekc.

Tanner Rose*

James C. Purcell

Tanner Rose got into theatre due to a desire to tell stories that inspire others the way the stories of others have inspired him. Tanner makes his Coterie debut in JUSTICE AT WAR. Off-Broadway, Tanner has appeared in BELLS ARE RINGING at The Lion Theatre (NYC). Internationally, he performed in VI LIEB MUSIKALER with Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Regionally, his credits include PRYOR RENDERING with Oklahoma City Repertory Theater; THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE with Broadway Rose Theatre Company (Portland, OR); LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW with Weitzenhoffer Theatre of Oklahoma; and THE BETH LEAVEL CHRISTMAS SHOW with Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Tanner has been seen locally in GRAND HORIZONS at Kansas City Actors Theatre; THE INHERITANCE at Unicorn Theatre; CABARET at Music Theater Heritage; and A CHRISTMAS CAROL and PETER PAN AND WENDY at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. On television, Tanner can be seen in "The Deuce," streaming now on HBO. He also performed in the workshop of SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES for Hill and Bartram. Next up, Tanner will return to Kansas City Repertory Theatre's holiday production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Andi Meyer

Director

Andi Meyer found her love of theatre by being surrounded by the arts as a child in Hawai'i. When she was in fourth grade, she read a book about some girls her age who enjoyed using the costumes inside an old trunk from an uncle who was a professional actor. The plays they put on sounded like so much fun she began writing and performing small plays with friends. Based in Osage/Kikapoo/Kansa/Sioux/Otoe Missourria ancestral territory (Kansas City), Andi is an award-winning Kanaka Maoli/Asian American theatre maker/activist, arts educator, and parent. She returns to direct at The Coterie after having appeared on stage as an actor in numerous productions including THE RELUCTANT DRAGON, EVERYDAY HEROES, and THE SEARCH FOR ODYSSEUS, as well as taught multiple acting classes, toured with Dramatic HIV/STD Project, and served as both producing partner and actor in HANA’S SUITCASE. Andi is the Producing Artistic Director of Tradewind Arts, a boutique arts organization devoted to illuminating, motivating, and amplifying the voice of Native Hawaiian, Oceanic, and Asian American artists. Andi was a 2017/2018 Charlotte Street Foundation (CSF) Studio Resident. Her work has been recognized with support from ArtsKC, TCG, Asian Arts Initiative, The Kauffman Foundation, Charlotte Street Foundation, JOCO libraries, InterUrban ArtHouse, and the Dramatists Guild Fund, as well as two NEA award winning projects in partnership with The Coterie Theatre including HANA’S SUITCASE and JUSTICE AT WAR. Andi has appeared in productions at Unicorn Theatre, New Theatre & Restaurant, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha, with voice and on-camera clients including Hallmark, H&R Block, Sprint, and McDonald’s. For more information about Tradewind Arts visit www.tradewindarts.org.

Alex Murphy*

Production Stage Manager

Alex Murphy found his way into theatre through his high school's drama club. Alex returns to The Coterie after serving as the rehearsal stage manager for ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!" back in 2017. Alex's regional credits include A CHRISTMAS CAROL and STILL READY at Actors Theatre of Louisville; TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO, WINE IN THE WILDERNESS, and THE UNWRITTEN LAW at Two River Theater; AMERICAN PROPHET at Arena Stage; and ILIAD and HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED at Pennyslvania Shakespeare Festival. Off-Broadway, Alex served as assistant stage manager on THE HARDER THEY COME at The Public Theater, ROMEO AND BERNADETTE at Amas Musical Theatre, and TWO'S A CROWD for Ritmar Productions; and as 2nd assistant stage manager on the first national tour of THE PROM. Alex earned his MFA in Stage Management from University of Missouri-Kansas City; Master of Arts in Theatre from Missouri State University; and his Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, English from Truman State University. Alex also served as the resident stage manager for three seasons at Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Rafael Toribio

Scenic Designer/Technical Director

Rafael Toribio found the theatre when he started performing as a dancer and actor. When he saw his first performance he remembers wanting so badly to be a part of what was being created. Rafael returns to The Coterie after designing the set for JACK AND THE BEAN MÀGICO, and WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, performing in THE SECRET OF COURAGE, and working as a paintcharge on HANA'S SUITCASE. Born and raised in Salinas, California, Rafael earned an MFA in Scenic Design from University of Missouri-Kansas City after having worked at and graduating from San José State University as well as working with other regional theaters such as San Jose Stage Co., The Western Stage, and El Teatro Campesino. Most recently Rafael was the Technical Director at Music Theater Heritage and is currently the Assistant Technical Director at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Some designs include GHOST LIGHT: A HAUNTED NIGHT OF SONGS AND STORIES... with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, AMERICAN NIGHT: THE BALLAD OF JUAN JOSÉ at The Western Stage, IN THE HEIGHTS at Music Theater Heritage, JACK AND THE BEAN MÀGICO at The Coterie Theatre, and La Titería de Marionetas de la Esquina in Mexico City, México. To find out more about Rafael visit www.toribiodesigns.com.

Danny Lawrence

Lighting Designer

David Kiehl+

Resident Sound Designer

David Kiehl thanks his family for piquing his interest in theatre by being raised to value the arts in all forms and for supporting him. David has designed over 130 Coterie productions during the past 25 years including, most recently, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, and BECOMING MARTIN. Other local productions include THE GRAVE, MILKING CHRISTMAS, and NOCTURNE at The Living Room Theatre, CLYDE'S, THE SOUND INSIDE, and TONI STONE at Unicorn Theatre, and SMART PEOPLE, ‘NIGHT MOTHER, and A DOLL'S HOUSE at Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Zack Pierson

Composer

Zack Pierson got into theater looking for a community to join back in high school, finding a wonderful source of friendship and educational experiences. He began his career as an actor before moving on to be a set designer and technical director throughout college, and finally blending his love of music and theater into work as a sound designer and composer. Zack would like to thank his wonderful wife Tara, his family for always pushing him to learn and grow, and Andi Meyer for asking him to join this production of JUSTICE AT WAR. Over the last twelve years Zack's work has been heard on stages in Kansas City, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and many independent video games and short films.

Paul Kim

Costume Designer

Paul Kim took a theatrical makeup class for fun in college to fill a credit. Then he realized while organizing his makeup morgue that he loved diving into character research and analysis to create supporting and sentimental attire and visuals. JUSTICE AT WAR marks Paul's Coterie debut, however his designs are also on display in CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Paul completed his undergraduate degree at University of Oklahoma, Norman, and he graduate degree at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. To see more of Paul's designs visit www.pbawuk.com.

Jarrett Bertoncin+

Resident Light Designer/Lighting Supervisor

Jarrett Bertoncin worked backstage on his high school’s theatre productions, where his passion for designing sets and lights began. His most recent shows at The Coterie include DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, ELECTRIC POE, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM - THE MUSICAL, JACK AND THE BEAN MÁGICO!, TUCK EVERLASTING, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (2016 and 2018), and THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, as well as LUCKY DUCK, which performed Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theater (NYC). Other recent credits include serving as lighting designer on The Coterie’s co-production of Disney’s NEWSIES at White Theatre at The J, TE ATA for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian, and as scenic designer for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY for Oklahoma City University’s School of Theatre. To see more of Jarrett's designs visit www.jsbdesigns.org.

Adam Hooper

Properties

Adam Hooper got into theatre because in it, there is a place for everyone, either on or offstage. Adam returns to The Coterie after serving as scenic designer and props on ALICE'S WONDERLAND last season. Adam received his MFA in Scenic Design at University of Missouri-Kansas City in May 2023. His previous design work includes AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' at Music Theater Heritage; FIXING KING JOHN, THINNER THAN WATER, and [title of show] at University of Missouri-Kansas City; BRIGHT STAR, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, OUR TOWN and 35MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION at Coastal Carolina University. He has also been paint charge and props coordinator for many other shows at University of Missouri-Kansas City and Coastal Carolina. Adam would like to thank all of those who have given him the opportunities to grow as a theatre maker. He would like to thank his partner Ariel for all of the love and support she has shown him throughout the years.

Ron Pratt

Master Carpenter

Ron Pratt has spent over 40 years in construction and the last 14 years in theatre construction with over 160 set builds. Ron has also run over 1,000 shows as head flyman. He has worked primarily in California (Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Salinas and the San Francisco Bay Area) with additional builds in Portland and Kansas City, including TITANIC, CABARET, and MAN OF LA MANCHA for Music Theater Heritage.

Meg McSweeney

Assistant Stage Manager

Meg McSweeney first got involved in live performance during her elementary school talent show, in which she wrote and directed her friends in a "Weekend Update" segment about school lunches called "Westwood View Night Live." Meg returns to The Coterie after previously serving as assistant stage manager on DRAGONS LOVE TACOS. She also previously worked as production assistant on Kansas City Actors Theatre's DRACULA as well as assistant stage manager on UMKC Conservatory's STORYTELLING PROJECT, THE TEMPEST, BLOOD WEDDING, and CHERUBIN. Her other stage management credits include ROMEO AND JULIET and PHÉDRE for University Theatre Association and [title of show] for UMKC Conservatory. Meg received her BA from UMKC Conservatory.

Anne Shimojima

Dramaturg

Anne Shimojima has been telling stories from her Asian heritage and around the world for forty years at festivals, schools, libraries, museums, and senior communities. JUSTICE AT WAR marks her first theatrical production and she was immediately drawn to this production due to her years of research on the Japanese American incarceration for her own family's World War II story. Her venues include the National Storytelling Festival and performances as Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center. In 2006 she began work on a family history project that led to years of research and the story of her family’s journey from Japan and through the incarceration camps of World War II. Anne has performed her story in Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government and in 2023 was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays in recognition of her contributions in promoting Japanese culture in the United States. Anne has both a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Library Science from the University of Illinois. To find out more about Anne visit www.anneshimojima.com.

Alice Bracken Carroll

Paint Charge

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The Coterie wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the many corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals that so generously support The Coterie.

The following list celebrates gifts received by February 3, 2023.

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