Hold These Truths (formerly Dawn’s Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi)

Joel de la Fuente stars in Jeanne Sakata’s one-man show inspired by the true story of first generation Japanese American and courageous civil rights leader Gordon Hirabayashi. Challenging the forcible removal of all people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast, Gordon journeys toward a greater understanding of America’s triumphs—and a confrontation with its failures.

This evening’s performance will be followed by a special talkback featuring playwright Jeanne Sakata, actor Joel de la Fuente, Kathryn Bannai (the first lead attorney on the Hirabayashi case), and activist Suki Ports. G.W. (Greg) Kimura, President/CEO of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California, will moderate the conversation on the legacy of the Hirabayashi case in the context of Asian American struggles for civil rights.

A limited number of A/P/A-sponsored tickets are available for this performance and talkback. For NYU students, tickets are free (limit 1), but must be reserved with a $5 deposit; for non-students, tickets are discounted (limit 2) and priced at $10 each. Please email apa.rsvp@nyu.edu for more information or to make a reservation, indicating the number of tickets desired (for non-student rate) and NYU ID# if you are a student.

Hold These Truths will be at the Theatre at the 14th Street Y from October 21 to November 18, 2012. Please visit http://epictheatreensemble.org for additional information on showtimes and ticketing.

Co-sponsored by the Japanese American Association of New York, Japanese American National Museum, and Japanese American Citizens League NY.