Young Dragon

In This Program

• About the Show
• A Welcome from the Artistic Director
• A Note From the Playwright
• Did You Know?
• Themes
• “The Dragon’s Journey”
• Cast and Creative
• Learn more about Bruce Lee!
• Our 25/26 Season Partners
• Print Edition
• More About Seattle Children’s Theatre

About the Show

Seattle Children’s Theatre is grateful to our community and those who made this production of Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story possible.

Supporting Season Sponsors:

ArtsFund
Microsoft
The Shubert Foundation
4Culture

Lead Producing Partners

Eve and Chap Alvord
Mimi Gan and Everett Billingslea
Sayuri and Dav Pilkey 

Lead Producing Sponsors

Amazon
Echo Foundation
The Eleanor & Henry Jansen Foundation
The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Producing Supporter

Ellen Ferguson 
Mary Pigott

Producing Contributors

Virginia Anderson
Therese Coad
Jerry and Charlene Lee
James Oberto 
Karen Ressmeyer

Producing Sponsors

One Roof Foundation
RAVE Foundation / Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Children’s Theatre is immensely grateful for the partnership from
Shannon Lee and the Bruce Lee Foundation and the Wing Luke Museum.

Special thanks to Perry Lee for lending us items from his Bruce Lee collection, making our lobby exhibit possible.

Thank you to all who have shown support for Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story. Your generosity exemplifies our community’s value in artists and storytelling.

Seattle Children’s Theatre Presents...

Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story

February 19 - March 15, 2026

By Keiko Green

A story based on Young Bruce Lee

Directed by Jess McLeod

New work commissioned by SCT and The Kennedy Center

CAST

Khanh Doan* Ruby & Others
Michelangelo Hyeon* Bruce
Jocelyn Maher* Linda & Others
Arlando Smith* Jesse & Others
Michael Wu Dad & Others
Joshua Erme Understudy Bruce/Dad & Others
Pearl Mei Lam Understudy Ruby & Others/Linda & Others
Lamar Legend* Understudy Jesse & Others

CREATIVE

Jess McLeod** Director
Keiko Green Playwright
Jen Pan Fight & Intimacy Choreographer
Julia Welch^ Scenic Designer
An-Lin Dauber^ Costume Designer
Kikyou Yan Assistant Costume Designer
Robert J. Aguilar^ Lighting Designer
M.L. Dogg Sound Designer
Eliyas Begleries Assistant Sound Designer
Jessica C. Bomball*^ Stage Manager
P. Alyda Sorm Assistant Stage Manager

Additional Production Staff 

Katy Morrison Lead Wardrobe; Vale Ni’Gallahoir Scenic Carpenter;
Bill Cruttenden Scenic Carpenter Kevin Wilson Scenic Artist;
Mo Wilhelm Scenic Artist; Lune Asay Dresser; Sanskruti Tomar Dresser; Cami Taliaferro-Barber Electrician; Mosie Johnson Electrician;
Xavier LeBrun Run Crew

Welcome Friends of All Ages, 

It brings me great joy to gather our community around Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story by Keiko Green. This production is SCT’s 127th world premiere, a milestone that reflects our ongoing commitment to developing new work. For the past fifty years, SCT has become one of the most important cultural institutions in the region, shaping the landscape of children’s theater both locally and nationally. This season, SCT has launched the Good Human Cycle, a new play development initiative to commission, support, and produce original plays for young audiences, while uplifting what it means to be a good human in today’s world. When we talk about raising “good humans” through storytelling, we mean shaping individuals who listen, empathize, and advocate for others. They are curious, hold themselves and others accountable, and embrace creativity. 

For many, Bruce Lee’s journey of navigating identity, being underestimated, and carving his own path, echoes a familiar American story. I recognize elements of myself through young Bruce’s voyage and the tension of loving who you are while being told to be something else. That tension—and the resilience it forges—feels profoundly American. During his life he was a trailblazer that challenged narrow definitions of strength, practice, curiosity, and integrity. To this day it continues to resonate across cultures and generations. 

Young Dragon invites us to meet him before the legend hardened, when the questions were big and the path was uncertain. It reminds us that icons are not born fully formed; they are shaped through struggle, intention, and the courage to be oneself. As you watch Young Dragon, I invite you to experience it together—across generations. Talk about it on the way home. Ask the big questions. Notice where you see yourself reflected on stage. Theatre is most powerful when it becomes a shared language for curiosity and connection. 

Thank you for being part of this community and for believing, as we do, in the transformative power of stories for young audiences. May Young Dragon inspire all of us to keep practicing—every day—what it means to be a good human.

Johamy Morales 
Artistic Director 

When SCT approached me about a play featuring Bruce Lee’s time in Seattle, I knew it would be tricky. The theatre sent me Shannon Lee’s Be Like Water, which is less a biography and more an exploration of Bruce’s philosophies. It was an inspiring and fascinating read, but also: How do you translate philosophy into a play for young people?

Yes, Bruce Lee was an icon, but all of those “iconic” moments come later in the Bay Area, LA, and Hong Kong: through his films, his philosophies, his contribution to the martial arts world and Asian American representation.

But he’s buried here in Seattle.

As I walked through the rain to my first meeting about the project, the pressure started to hit. How do I take on the least glamorous parts of his life and fill them with adventure? How do I honor his legacy, all while making sure to tell this story in a way unique to me? Who am I to tell Bruce’s story?

Walking towards Seattle Center, I took my headphones out and let the white noise of the rain drown out those anxieties. I wondered if Seattle did that for Bruce too. He grew up a child actor, winning boxing tournaments and dance championships — then suddenly, he has this extremely sobering moment, moving to the states, stuck in a restaurant kitchen, washing dishes. Maybe he starts to think that his dreams are out of reach. Maybe he feels powerless and hopeless, as outside limitations are forced onto him as an Asian American person. 

That must have been so scary.

The idea of “bravery” has come up a lot in writing this play. Many people (mistakenly) think being brave is being fearless. But real bravery means having fear and moving forward anyway. Bruce must have been so brave to keep going after his dream, no matter what obstacles presented themselves.

And so with this play, we honor Bruce’s bravery by doing the same. We present to you a show in a way that only we can. We hope you enjoy it!

Keiko Green
Playwright
Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story

Did You Know?

Bruce Lee Edition

1. Bruce Lee acted in 20+ movies throughout his childhood in Hong Kong. His first screen time came at the age of 3 months old.
2. He was the first Asian-American actor to have a lead role in a Hollywood film.
3. Bruce Lee authored three books, two of which were published
   posthumously.
4. In 1958, Bruce Lee became the ‘Crown Colony Cha Cha Dancing Champion’ of Hong Kong. He also taught Cha Cha when he first moved to the United States.

THEMES

Discipline
Bruce’s journey shows that true discipline comes from staying driven in our dreams and devoted to those we love.

Self-Discovery
Bruce’s journey of self-discovery reminds us that when we find who we are and who we want to be, our possibilities become limitless.

Resiliency
Bruce’s struggles and triumphs show that resilience through hardship can transform challenges into strength.

Values
Bruce’s journey reveals how values can create conflict but also inspire love, joy, and a deeper connection to ourselves and others.

“The Dragon’s Journey”

• On November 27th, 1940, Bruce Lee is born in San Francisco to parents Ping Chow and Ruby Chow.
• In 1953 Bruce Lee begins studying Wing Chun, and in 1958 would win the Crown Colony Cha-Cha Championship and begin learning Gung Lik Qun and Jit Qun from Sifu Jiu Hong Shang.
• At age 19 Bruce Lee leaves Hong Kong and returns to San Francisco on May 17th, 1959.
• On a trip to New York in June of 1959 Bruce takes Southern Praying Mantis style martial arts lessons from Sifu Gin Foon Mark.
• On September 3rd, 1959, Bruce Lee arrives in Seattle, Washington and begins attendance at Edison Vocational School (Now Garfield High School) and would graduate on December 2nd, 1960. Bruce would also meet his wife Linda Emery while at Garfield High School.
• While in Seattle, Bruce performs various demonstrations at Seattle high schools, colleges, festivals and celebrations and in 1961 performed at the Seattle World’s Fair.
• Bruce Lee enrolls in the University of Washington on May 27th, 1961, majoring in Philosophy, and would leave the University in June of 1963.
  On August 15th, 1963, Bruce Lee opens his second gung-fu school in Seattle.
• Linda Emery and Bruce Lee have their first date in the Space Needle on October 25th, 1963.
• On July 19th, 1964, Bruce Lee leaves Seattle and establishes the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Oakland, California.
• Bruce Lee and Linda Emery marry on August 17th, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, and welcome their son Brandon Lee on February 1st, 1965.
  Bruce Lee signs a contract with 20th Century Fox as an actor on September 21st, 1965.
• March 1996 the Lee Family moves to Los Angeles, California
• The Green Hornet begins filming on June 6th, 1996, and appears as Kato on the ABC-TV series Batman on January 27th, 1967.
  The Lee’s welcome their second child, Shannon Lee, on June 3rd, 1969.
• “Fists of Fury” premiers on March 11th, 1972, and “Way of the Dragon” premiers on December 23rd, 1972.
• Bruce Lee passes away on June 20th, 1973, and Linda Lee takes Bruce’s body back to the U.S for burial on July 26th, 1973.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Jess McLeod
Director – Jess McLeod (she/her) is a director, playwright & social justice advocate specializing in risky new work about America. Recent credits include new plays & musicals at Second Stage, Roundabout, Little Island, MTC, P73, Atlantic; and regionally at Steppenwolf, Goodman, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Alliance, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Long Wharf and Berkeley Rep. Current Drama League TV/Film Fellow and SDC Executive Board Member; former Resident Director, HAMILTON Chicago; Woolly Mammoth BOLD Resident Director; NYCLU Artist-In-Residence; and Co-Chair of DGF’s Musical Theatre Fellows. M.F.A., Northwestern. 2nd Gen Korean/Filipina/Scottish American. For Jonah!
jess-mcleod.com | @mcjessmc

Keiko Green 
Playwright – Keiko Green (she/her) is a playwright/screenwriter/performer, splitting time between Seattle and LA. Produced plays include You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World! (South Coast Rep, OSF, Company One), Empty Ride (Old Globe), Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play (Old Globe, SF Playhouse, Porkfilled/SIS Productions), The Bed Trick (Seattle Shakespeare Company, Artists Rep, Chance Theatre), Hells Canyon (Theatre Mu, Washington Ensemble Theatre), and Hometown Boy (Actors Express, Seattle Public Theatre). She is a Resident Artist at the Old Globe and via CTG’s Writers Room. TV: Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” and AppleTV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.”

Jen Pan
Fight & Intimacy Choreographer – Jen Pan (she/they) is thrilled to make their SCT debut. A Michigan-based fight and intimacy director, movement teaching artist, actor, martial artist, and stunt performer, Jen’s recent credits include the Detroit Public Theatre, Detroit Opera, Obsidian Theatre Festival, University of Michigan, Oakland University, and Croswell Opera House. They are a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), co-founder and lead instructor of Theatrica Gladiatoria (academy for stage and film combat in Ypsilanti, MI), and co-coordinator of the annual Mitten Mayhem Stage Combat Workshop. www.fightglad.com

Julia Welch^
Scenic Designer – Julia Hayes Welch (she/her) feels fortunate to be back at SCT after designing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Welch’s designs have graced the stages of The 5th Avenue Theatre, ArtsWest, ACT Theatre, Village Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare, and many others listed at jhwelchdesigns.com. She holds an MFA from the University of Washington and a BA from the University of Puget Sound, and is a recipient of the Gregory Award: People’s Choice for Outstanding Designer. When not in the theatre, she can be found wrangling her two young children or rock climbing. Much love to W, M & AJ.

An-Lin Dauber^
Costume Designer – An-lin Dauber (she/her) is a set and costume designer based in New York and Seattle. Recent designs in Seattle include Come From Away; The Tempest; Primary Trust (Seattle Rep), The Lehman Trilogy (ACT), Marisol; Blood Wedding (The Feast). New York: Paul Swan is Dead and Gone; What You Are Now (The Civilians), Letters That You Will Not Get (American Opera Project), Salesman 巃睚; June is the First Fall (Yangtze Repertory Company). Regional: A.R.T., Alliance Theater, Guthrie Theater, Huntington Theater Company, Hartford Stage Company. Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of Washington. anlindauber.com

Robert J. Aguilar^
Lighting Designer – Robert (he/him) is a Seattle-based designer for live performance and film. His work has been seen at Seattle Repertory Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, The Old Globe, ACT, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Village Theatre and Portland Center Stage among others. Robert is the Lighting Director at Seattle Repertory Theatre. He is the Managing Director of Contemporary Classics. 

M.L. Dogg^
Sound Designer – M.L. Dogg (he/him) has designed for such companies as Pony World, Dorset Theatre Festival, Swim Pony, Seattle Rep, Feast, Alley Theatre, Primary Stages, Second Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Signature, New York Stage and Film, Huntington, Playwright’s Horizons, American Repertory Theatre, Colt Coeur, Geffen Playhouse, Roundabout, Royal National Theatre, Ars Nova, and Nicholas Ward Productions. Broadway: Gutenberg! The Musical!; Here Lies Love; Straight White Men; Oh, Hello On Broadway; The Pee-wee Herman Show. Lortel award, Here Lies Love, fringeNYC award, Go-Go Kitty, GO!; Sound On Stage, Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, nominee. 

Jessica C. Bomball*
Stage Manager – Jessica C. Bomball (she/her) is delighted to be back at SCT. Regional theater highlights include The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Seattle Children’s Theatre); Mother Russia, The Skin of Our Teeth, Little Women, Lydia and the Troll, Bruce, Teenage Dick, Indecent, Tiny Beautiful Things (Seattle Rep); Jersey Boys, Once on This Island, Becoming Dr. Ruth (Village Theatre); The Secret Garden, Disney’s Aladdin, and A Christmas Story: The Musical (The 5th Avenue Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Union Arts Center); Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika (Intiman Theatre Festival); Pericles, King Lear (Santa Cruz Shakespeare).

P. Alyda Sorm
Assistant Stage Manager – P. Alyda Sorm (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to Seattle Children’s Theatre! She is a second-generation Khmer American theatre artist, born and raised in King County. Recent credits: PA, Come From Away (Seattle Rep); SM, Exotic Deadly: Or The MSG Play (Pork Filled Productions); ASM, Black Nativity, (Intiman); ASM, A Tale of Peter Rabbit, (Seattle Children’s Theatre); SM, A Comedy of Errors, (Seattle Shakespeare Company). Alyda also serves as a producer for Pork Filled Productions. Outside of theatre, she spends time with her two rabbits, Choco and Latte.

Special Thanks

David Kilpatrick
Michelle Kozlak
Idris Goodwin 

THE CAST

Khanh Doan* 
Ruby & Others – Khanh Doan (she/her) is grateful to be part of this inspiring story alongside an incredible group of artists. You may have seen her in productions such as: SCT’s The Snow Queen, A Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Little Prince, High School Musical, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty (SCT); Dracula, King of the Yees, The Crucible, Ramayana, A Christmas Carol (ACT); A Doll’s House, Part 2 (Seattle Rep); Bonesetter’s Daughter, A Tale for the Time Being (Book-it); Jesus Christ Superstar (Village Theatre); Miss Saigon, Baseball Saved Us (5th Ave); Macbeth, Julius Caesar (Wooden O).

Michelangelo Hyeon
Bruce Lee – Michelangelo Hyeon is honored to be playing the iconic Bruce Lee at Seattle Children’s Theatre. Young Dragon marks Michelangelo Hyeon’s second collaboration with playwright Keiko Green the first being the Old Globe’s debut of EXOTIC DEADLY or THE MSG PLAY.

In preparation for the role, he trained in Wing Chun and Jeet Kun Doe at the Inosanto Academy of Martial arts under Dan Inosanto and Tsuyoshi Abe and would like to thank Jen Pan for her amazing work on this production.

He earned a BFA in Acting at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago before moving to New York to further his work on stage. His first professional role was Prince Edward in the National Asian American Theater Company’s Off-Broadway production of Henry VI (2018). Recent film and television credits include That ’90s Show (2024), Atlas (2023), Bovine (2019), and Roberta’s Living Room (2017).
@michelangelo.hyeon

Jocelyn Maher* 
Linda & Others – Jocelyn (she/her) is grateful to be returning to SCT with Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story! Seattle credits: Above, Between, Below (SCT); Shrew (Union Arts Center); The Rivals, She Stoops to Conquer (Seattle Shakespeare Company); She’s Come Undone, Slaughterhouse-Five (Book-It Repertory Theatre); The Other Place, Arcadia, Slip/Shot (Seattle Public Theater) Chicagoland Credits: A Lie of the Mind (Raven Theatre), Twelfth Night; Macbeth, Sense and Sensibility (Illinois Shakespeare Festival); Cat’s Cradle, War of the Worlds (Lifeline Theatre) Cry it Out (Oil Lamp Theater). She holds her BA in Drama (UW) and her MFA in Acting from DePaul University. Love and thanks to her family & Sunny.

Arlando Smith* 
Jesse & Others – As a lifelong fan of Bruce Lee, Arlando is beyond honored to make his Seattle Children’s Theatre debut with this production. Elsewhere locally, he’s performed at ACT, Book-It Rep, Seattle Opera, Seattle Rep, Seattle Shakespeare, Spectrum Dance, Taproot and Village Theatre. Further afield, he has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Kennedy Center, the Los Angeles Theatre Center, and The Public Theater. Arlando has also worked extensively in film/television, doing voiceover and commercials for clients such as Comedy Central, Crayola, Wizards of the Coast, Microsoft and the Seattle Kraken. He thanks his family for their eternal love and support. arlandosmith.com

Michael Wu 
Dad & Others – Mike Wu (he/him) is thrilled to make his Seattle Children’s Theatre debut, telling the story of one of his heroes, Bruce Lee. He last appeared as Jeff Douglas in Brigadoon at the Village Theatre and has been privileged to also work with Seattle Repertory Theater, Union Arts Center, 5th Avenue Theater, Seattle Public Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Pacific Conservatory Theater, and San Jose Stage. He would like to thank his parents and friends
for always lifting him up, Seattle Children’s Theatre for
this opportunity, and you the audience for joining us! Enjoy
the show!

Joshua Erme
U/S Bruce/Dad & Others – Joshua Erme (he/him) is FIRED UP to make his understudy debut with Seattle Children’s Theatre! Selected credits: Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Harlequin Productions); Quang Nguyen in the Gregory Award-winning Vietgone and Actor 5 (u/s) in Exotic Deadly: Or The MSG Play (Pork Filled Productions/SIS Productions); Anthony Marston in And Then There Were None and Charles Granillo in Rope (Renton Civic Theatre); R in Passage (Yun Theatre); Jim in Gift of the Magi (Taproot Theatre). Joshua would like to thank his family and friends for their support of his lofty acting ambitions.

Pearl Mei Lam
U/S Ruby & Others/Linda & Others – Pearl Mei Lam (she/her) is an actor and filmmaker delighted to be at Seattle Children’s Theatre. She has performed with Union Arts Center, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Public Theater, ComedySportz, the You’re Wrong About and American Hysteria podcast tour and also received a 2024 Gregory Award for her work in Unrivaled. Her debut feature film “Wild Ragerz,” an absurd dark comedy on reality TV, is coming 2026. Endless love to friends and family! pearlmeilam.com

Lamar Legend*
U/S Jesse & Others – Lamar Legend (they/them) is an actor/writer/director and began their career at The High School for the Performing Arts (The “Fame” School/LAG Arts) in New York City. Lamar has worked with The Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Seattle Opera, Seattle Repertory Theater, Intiman Theater, The 14:48 Projects, Book-It Rep, and Teatro Franco Parenti in Milan. Lamar returns to SCT after appearing in And in This Corner: Cassius Clay as well as The Little Prince. They’ve been honored with The Rising Star Award by The Broadway League in New York and a Seattle Gregory Award.

Seattle Children’s Theatre is a member of TYA/USA, the national center of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.

SCT is a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national service organization for the nonprofit professional theatre.

SCT is a proud member of International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY).

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the U.S. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Equity seeks to foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. www.actorsequity.org.

Lighting, sound, staging, property, scenery, scenic art, and costume work at Seattle Children’s Theatre is performed by employees represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists, and Allied Crafts of the US and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC.

Seattle Children’s Theatre works with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

The designers at this theatre are represented by United Scenic Artists (Local USA 829) of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

• Indicates members of the Actors’ Equity Association
  

Ticket buyers to Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story get 10% off tickets to the Wing Luke Museum, including its permanent exhibit
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee. 

Present your digital or physical ticket at the museum to receive your 10% off. 

The Wing Luke Museum is an art and history museum in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District which focuses on the culture, art and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Established in 1967, the museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the United States.

More at wingluke.org.

Eighth Generation is a Seattle based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. They partner with Native artists around the country to design, manufacture and market beautiful wool blankets and gifts intended for everyone.

View and purchase Native art in the SCT gift shop all season long.

Thank you to our season partner, King County Metro. King County Metro is partnering with SCT to provide free rides on the metro bus services, link light rail, and other transportation services* while supplies last.

Thank you to our season media partner, Seattle Times Media Solutions, for their continued support of Seattle Children’s Theatre. Through this partnership, SCT receives significant promotional value that helps us share our productions with families across the region. Seattle Times Media Solutions’ support allows us to reach audiences throughout our region and share the joy of storytelling on stage. 

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Seattle Children’s Theatre Audience Member Guide

Experiencing the theatre is a group activity shared not only with the actors, but also with the people sitting around you. Your attention and participation help the actors perform better, and allows the rest of the audience to enjoy the show. We invite you to laugh when it is funny,

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