TRANSNATIONAL THEATRICAL REPRESENTATION OF THE AGING

Abstract

Velina Hasu Houston’s theatrical representations focus on exploring cultural collision and coalescence in transnational communities. With her biographical and cultural background deeply influenced by her Japanese mother’s way of life and sense of values, Houston has been open-minded in creating a new viewpoint through which to look at Japan, the United States and the world. Calligraphy (2010) is quite challenging in that it looks at her mother’s aging from both Japanese and American perspectives. It sheds new light on not only understanding the beauty in the aging process but also women’s memories that have value beyond the personal. Since she wrote Tea (1987) based on her mother’s life as a war bride, Houston has presented a pioneering, in-depth exploration of Asian women’s memories that have been historically ignored in the United States. This paper examines how Houston’s insight into transnationalism through the transformative nature of cultural identity and change inspires her to re-envision women’s writing and highlights the need for a re-examination of the power of love and beauty.