2nd Annual AAPI Playwright Festival

San Jose Stage

490 South 1st Street, 95113, San Jose, CA, United States

Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS)

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Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) was founded in 1995 by Dr. Jerry Hiura, Steve Yamaguma, and Miki Hirabayashi to address the lack of representation for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists in Silicon Valley. Dr. Hiura and Steve Yamaguma, who have since passed, were instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision, and their legacy continues to inspire our work today. What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a cornerstone of San Jose’s cultural landscape, producing thought-provoking programs like the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Festival, Asian Comedy Night, the AAPI Playwright Festival, numerous music concerts, staged readings and other events. For three decades, CATS has empowered AAPI artists, fostered cross-cultural dialogue, and created spaces where diverse stories are embraced and celebrated.Our mission is to celebrate and elevate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voices through the performing arts. By creating platforms for artists of all experience levels, we aim to inspire creative expression, foster cultural connection, and build a vibrant community. Through storytelling, performance, and collaboration, we strive to break barriers, promote inclusion, and connect people through the transformative power of art.