Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord
Written and performed by Kristina WongDirected by Chay Yew
Mar 30–May 5, 2024
STRAND THEATER
Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord
Mar 30–May 5, 2024
On Day 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristina Wong began sewing masks out of old bedsheets and bra straps on her Hello Kitty sewing machine. Before long, she was leading the Auntie Sewing Squad, a work-from-home sweatshop of hundreds of volunteers—including children and her own mother—to fix the U.S. public health care system while in quarantine. It was a feminist care utopia forming in the midst of crisis. Or was it a mutual aid doomsday cult? The answer to that question is something you’ll have to decide for yourself as Kristina takes you through this capital-H-Hilarious journey in this Pulitzer finalist play.
The Strand is the perfect place to experience this Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Award winner for Outstanding Solo Show.
Check out the Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord Program
There is more for teachers and students in the Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord Educator Guide
“One of the biggest compliments I get is when people see my work and tell me "You rep for the Bay." San Francisco has cradled three generations of my family, it's the city where we forged our American Dreams. This is a homecoming in so many ways. San Francisco is where my mother rounded up her base of friends to sew masks remotely for the Auntie Sewing Squad. It's a large hub of where our Aunties who were strangers to each other in the early pandemic realized our mutual aid efforts and later became good friends. I can't wait to be sharing this story with the Aunties who lived it, with the people who benefited from it, with all of us who survived this moment of history. I can't wait to share this community of Aunties I accidentally brought together who represent a greater hope that is possible. I came of age in San Francisco. Living a characteristically Chinese American double life—aspiring to be a super high achieving straight laced good girl while so many other multiverse temptations sputtered around me. One of those temptations which I would eventually succumb to was a life of making performance as my living. As a high school theater kid, A.C.T. was that gold standard of theater, and to play this stage now, sharing this story, feels nothing short of a miracle.”
—Kristina Wong
InterACT Events
Drinks & Drama
Mar 30
Teacher Preview
Apr 2
Audience Exchange
Apr 9 at 7 p.m.; Apr 14 at 2 p.m.; and Apr 17 at 2 p.m.
Pride Night
Apr 10
Tasting Night
Apr 16
Playtime
Apr 27 at 2 p.m.All titles, schedules, and artists are subject to change. No refunds. Tickets are for personal use and not for resale.
COVID-19 Safety Policy
American Conservatory Theater is happy to welcome you to our home. Our COVID-19 policy is in accordance with guidelines provided by the State of California and City of San Francisco. At this time this means that masking is encouraged but not required. It also means that vaccination checks are no longer required to see a performance. These policies will be updated if city guidelines change.
Production Photos
Cast
