Giving “the aves” its Voice: A Berkeley Rep Conversation with Jiehae Park
An interview with playwright Jiehae Park on the world premiere at Berkeley Rep. Plus, a new experience at SF Symphony and accessible options in theatre.
David Mendizábal: What made you want to be a theatre artist?
Jiehae Park: I didn’t speak English when I came to America. Like a lot of immigrant kids, I spent time just trying to figure out what this place is. Who am I? Where do I fit? Being an immigrant kid has an extra layer of adjusting to the language and to the culture. Theatre was always an escape for me. When I was a little kid, I’d go to our basement and put on a Disney soundtrack and dance by myself for hours, and it felt so joyful and safe. So, theatre was a place to feel imaginative, safe and playful for me.
DM: Professionally, you started off performing and transitioned into writing. What motivated the choice and how does your experience as an actor inform your writing?
JP: I think a lot of writers start off as actors because acting feels the most accessible when we are younger. I went to grad school for acting and I was always the least actor-y actor. It became clear to me pretty quickly after graduating that the lifestyle of an actor was not something that felt stable enough or appealing as a long-term life goal, although I did love performing. But mostly what I loved was just being a part of the process. I loved being in rehearsal and figuring things out. And that feels related to writing. For me, trying to figure out big questions is the best part of writing. Because I was an actor for a long time, I have a deep desire to have honest, alive-feeling characters.
On the Stage
Looking for a fresh perspective? Take in a bold world premiere at SF Symphony or Berkeley Rep, or check out a sharply funny comedy that digs into theatre, identity, and who gets to take center stage.
Stasevska Conducts Sibelius 5
Classical | San Francisco Symphony
Now – May 17 | Tickets
Conductor Dalia Stasevska leads the Symphony in the world premiere of Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Cello Concerto, performed by German-Canadian virtuoso Johannes Moser.
More Events
- the aves | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Now – June 8 | View the Program
- Close Captioned: All matinee performances through June 5
- Post-show Conversation: May 16, 22 & 27
- To My Girls | New Conservatory Theatre Center | Now – June 8
- Pre-show Tea: Every Wednesday
- Yellow Face | Shotgun Players | Now – June 14
- Post-show Conversation: Thursdays & Sundays
- ASL Interpreted: May 28
Next Line
While live performance and artist creation takes a hit from government funding, they continue to persevere and develop new seasons.
- TheatreWorks has announced that the grant supporting its Core Writers Group was withdrawn due to shifting priorities at the National Endowment for the Arts. TheatreWorks turned down the grant as accepting the funds would have required abandoning commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion—values central to the company’s mission. Many arts organizations are facing similar obstacles and now more than ever, support from arts patrons is essential to keeping performance in all our lives.
- Stanford Live unveils its 2025/26 season, Amplifying Voices, with over 60 performances spanning music, dance, theatre, spoken word, film, and comedy. The season features Grammy, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize-winning artists, global music stars like Angélique Kidjo and Mariza, and productions from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Performances will take place across campus venues including Bing Concert Hall and Memorial Auditorium.
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