Telling Asian American Stories Since 1970
For more than five decades, Four Seas Players has brought Asian American stories to New York stages, nurtured generations of theatre artists, and built bridges between cultures through the performing arts.
A Theater Company Born in New York City’s Chinatown
Four Seas Players was founded in October 1970 in New York City’s Chinatown by Dr. Joanna Chan, Sun Fu Lo, Dr. Leo Yam, and Chung Lo. The company began as a community outreach program for young people and recent immigrants, using theatre as a way to encourage artistic expression, cooperation, and cultural understanding.
Over the decades, Four Seas Players developed into one of the longest-running Asian American theatre companies in the United States, presenting Chinese classics, contemporary works, original productions, comedies, dramas, and musicals.
The company has provided generations of actors, directors, designers, writers, technicians, and volunteers with opportunities to develop their craft and share stories with New York audiences.
A Legacy Since 1970
of theatre in New York City
presented since 1970
continuing the Four Seas legacy
Theatre That Connects Generations and Cultures
Four Seas Players creates theatre that reflects the Asian American experience while providing artists of different generations and backgrounds a place to collaborate, learn, and grow.
Tell Our Stories
Present meaningful works that reflect Asian American lives, experiences, history, and culture.
Nurture Artists
Provide emerging and experienced performers, directors, writers, designers, and theatre artists opportunities to develop and create.
Build Bridges
Use theatre to connect generations, communities, and cultures while bringing audiences together through shared human stories.
Generations of Theatre Makers
Throughout its history, Four Seas Players has been shaped by generations of artistic leaders, performers, directors, writers, designers, technicians, and volunteers.
From the founding leadership of Dr. Joanna Chan and the artists who helped establish the company, to later artistic directors including Yeh Yung-Ching, Liang-Tee Tu, and Jackie Huang, Four Seas Players has continually evolved while remaining committed to its community-based theatrical roots.
Today, the company continues to operate through the dedication of volunteer artists and community members who share a belief in the power of live theatre.
Rooted in Chinatown. Connected to New York.
Four Seas Players was created in New York City’s Chinatown and remains closely connected to the Chinese American and Asian American communities of New York.
Productions have been presented in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, often helping audiences from different generations and linguistic backgrounds experience theatre together.
More than fifty years after its founding, Four Seas Players continues to create a welcoming home for artists, audiences, volunteers, and supporters.
The Next Chapter
Four Seas Players continues to develop new productions, revive important works from its history, support emerging theatre artists, and introduce new audiences to Asian American theatre.
As the company enters its 57th season, its mission remains rooted in the same spirit that inspired its founding in 1970: creativity, community, collaboration, and cultural connection.
Be Part of the Four Seas Story
Attend a production, support our artists, or help us continue creating Asian American theatre for the next generation.
ABOUT FOUR SEAS PLAYERS