Specially Processed American Me Premieres January 27 - February 19
We are thrilled to kick off 2022 by co-producing the world premiere production of Specially Processed American Me with Dixon Place and Free Rein Projects, from January 27 - February 19, 2022.
Written by former PCC Creative Fellow Jaime Sunwoo and Co-directed by Sunwoo and Karim Muasher, this new multimedia theater work investigates the legacy of SPAM, its significance in the Asia-Pacific, and its influence on Asian cuisine, unraveling the stories of three generations of women in Sunwoo’s family.
Through a narrative collage of oral history, video, music, and shadowplay, SPAM becomes a powerful symbol of colonization, immigration, assimilation, American dreams, and disillusionment, inviting us to examine the memories we hold onto and those we leave behind. Specially Processed American Me oscillates wildly between absurd humor and sober tragedy as it unpacks the ambivalent connotations of one of America’s most misunderstood foods.
This is the first major interdisciplinary performance PCC has co-produced at this scale that wasn’t created by Ping Chong—signaling our company’s expanding commitment to incubating and supporting work from emerging voices.
“Many Asian Americans including myself have a strong emotional connection with SPAM because it is a stigmatized food that is simultaneously associated with home and nostalgia—a food that connects us to our families and links us to shared histories within the Asian diaspora.”
-Jaime Sunwoo
Specially Processed American Me will be performed at Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie Street, New York, NY from January 27 - February 19, 2022, with performances Thursday - Saturday at 7:30pm.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols for Attendees
Masks are required, which can only briefly be removed if you're having a drink from the Dixon Place cocktail lounge. We strongly recommend K95 or N95 masks. A proof of vaccination AND your personal ID are also mandatory. A CDC Vax Card or your NY Excelsior Pass on mobile devices,along with your ID, must be shown upon arrival. If you have Covid-19 symptoms or have been exposed, please stay home! Refunds will be issued by emailing: mike@dixonplace.org. Please note that these protocols may be updated based on the evolving situation.
Specially Processed American Me’s Cast: Adrianna Mateo (Performer - Hormel Girl/Ensemble), Vanessa Rappa (Performer - Hormel Girl/Ensemble), Juella Baltonado (Performer - Hormel Girl/Ensemble), Monica Goff (Performer - Hormel Girl/Ensemble), Sarah Shin (Performer - Jaime), Eunji Lim (Performer - Grandma/Ensemble), Nathaniel Basch-Gould (Performer - Jay Hormel/Ensemble), Grace Hwoang (Performer - Understudy), Nadia Kim (Performer - Understudy).
Specially Processed American Me’s Creative Team: Jaime Sunwoo (Playwright/Co-Director/Prop, Puppet, and Costume Designer/Projection Graphic Illustrator), Karim Muasher (Co-Director), Matt Chilton (Composer/Lyricist/ Sound Designer), Sarah Lurie (Lighting Designer), Cinthia Chen (Projection Designer), Aoife Hough (Stage Manager), Samm Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager and Covid Compliance Officer), Justin Perkins (Technical Director), Alex Lee (Dramaturg), and Adrianna Mateo (Music Director).
Test