PASIFIKA ARTISTS EXCHANGE (pae)
πππ PASIFIKA ARTISTS EXCHANGE (PAE) πππ
TeAda Productions is proud to launch the Pasifika Artists Exchange (PAE), featuring three Pacific Islander theater artists Kathy Martin (Chuukese), Kiki Rivera (Samoan/Pilipino) & Misa Tupou (Tongan/Samoan). As a new Partner of the National Performance Network, this residency is TeAdaβs first Artist Engagement Fund project to take place in Los Angeles County.
βPaeβ in Εlelo Hawaiβi means to land ashore or to cluster or group. Gather with us in a time when Pasifika voices, arts and play are most needed.
This residency will feature a series of workshops between May-June in the community, an intensive week-long ensemble building process, and culminate in a public sharing on June 20, 2026 in Culver City. The PAE program focuses on enriching, enhancing, and advancing Pasifika contemporary performance by utilizing devised theatre to support Pasifika artists exchanging stories and creative expression. Participants will have the opportunity to train with lead artists Kiki Rivera, Kathy Martin, and Misa Tupou.
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π KEY PROGRAM DATES π
Public Workshops
Pasifika Play Date(s) with Kiki Rivera
Join us for a play date! We invite Pasifika community members to come have fun, play, and explore their inner theater person. Arrive as a community member and leave as a storyteller as we connect theater games, storytelling practices, and activate our bodies and voices. Leave behind your inner critic and allow your creative self to take the lead. Participants of these workshops are eligible to apply to be a part of the ensemble building intensive training with visiting artists (more info below)
Saturday, May 16 at Pacific Island Ethnic Arts Museum (Long Beach) 10am - 12pm
Sunday, May 17 at TeAda Productions (MidCity LA) 10am - 12pm
RSVP for Pasifika Play Dates at: https://bit.ly/pasifikaplaydate2026
Just Play Public Workshop with Kathy Martin & Misa Tupou
Explore the physical nature of storytelling. No experience is necessary, only a playful nature. Through the art of 'just play' with voice, physical movements and written text, learning becomes easy. Come as you are. Bring a bottle of water, comfortable clothes to move in, and your whole self (creativity included)!
Saturday, June 13 at TeAda Productions (MidCity LA) 10am - 12pm followed by community meal. RSVP for the Just Play Public Workshop at: https://bit.ly/pasifikaplaydate2026
Ensemble Building Intensive Training - 8-day residency
TeAda is seeking Pacific Islander (Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian, and Oceania Islanders) ages 18 and older to form the performing ensemble including theater artists, dancers, musicians, and storytellers. Led by visiting artists Kathy Martin & Misa Tupou, this opportunity will focus on developing devised theater practices of emerging Pasifika centered performing artists.
June 13-20, 2026
Rehearsals will take place in LAβs Mid-City and Culver City
All participants will be expected to perform in the culminating performance on June 20
A stipend and some meals will be provided to selected participants
Selected Ensemble members must be available all days
To be considered for the Ensemble, applicants will need to:
Attend at least one of lead artist Kiki Riveraβs Pasifika Play Date workshops (on May 16 and/or May 17)
Must complete this Google Form application by Saturday, May 23 at 11:59pm PST: https://bit.ly/pae-ensemble
Please send any questions to Soultree C camba@teada.org.
Culmination Performance and Reception
Saturday, June 20
Doors open 3:30PM, show starts at 4:30PM
Glorya Kaufman Community Center at the Wende Museum (Culver City)
RSVP for Culmination: https://bit.ly/paeculmination
TeAda Productions is a proud community partner of the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM). PIEAM offers a place of collective knowledge-making that reflects the multiplicity of Pacific Islanders experiences, histories, and visions for the future, through Pacific Islander artists story works.
