[Check out the party this Saturday!]

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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Hsieh
206-898-2904

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Through May 13, 2006

ReAct Announces the Creation of a New Asian American Arts Center
Open House: Saturday, May 13, 2006 from 4 - 7pm

Seattle's only Multi-ethnic Philanthropic Theatre Company, ReAct, has great news to share - the launching of Prima Vera Arts Center. Located in the Seattle Center area at 112 5th Avenue North, 2nd Floor, the new center will be ReAct's primary rehearsal and meeting space.

ReAct has been prominently featured in the news this year as a result of a series of burglaries during three different productions at three different locations over the past three years. After hearing of ReAct's bad luck and upon seeing ReAct's most recent production of "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday," Vera & Joey Ing decided it was time to help ReAct turn their luck around. The 2nd Floor of their property across the street from KOMO-TV's Fisher Plaza was available, so the Seattle couple decided to donate the space for ReAct to use.

They are thrilled at the opportunity to create a gathering place for a multi-ethnic company like ReAct, and want to see the space come alive with and being utilized by artists. They adored not only the recent production, but also ReAct's original adaptation of "The Joy Luck Club" a few years ago and are looking forward to ReAct's fall premiere of "Uncle Hideki and the Empty Nest" written by their close friend and local author Jean Davies Okimoto.

Vera Ing serves on the Liquor Control Board and has been involved with many civic organizations such as Seattle Center, Mt. Baker Community Club, International District Improvement Association, International Rotary, and North Seattle Community College Foundation. She has also served on the executive boards of United Way, Asian American Management Association and the University of Washington Women Resource Center. Joey Ing, retired, was the principal architect with Ing & Associates. A few of his projects include the design for the International Children's Park in Seattle's International District and Anthony's at Pier 66.

ReAct will be sharing the space with SIS Productions and Pork Filled Players. All three performing arts companies focus on developing the writing, acting, production and producing skills of local Asian American and multi-cultural talent.

The three groups invite the community to celebrate the opening of the Prima Vera Arts Center, named after the space's benefactor, on Saturday, May 13 from 4 - 7pm. Meet the staff of all three Asian American performing companies, tour the space, and get information on upcoming shows for each group. The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

"It's appropriate that a new space that will serve the Asian American performing arts groups in the area should open during May, which is recognized as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month," states David Hsieh, Managing Artistic Director of ReAct.

The building is located between 5th Ave N. & Taylor Ave N. just off of Denny Ave N. on the East side of the Seattle Center, right next to Fat City Auto, across the street from KOMO-TV, and down the street from McDonald's. The monorail track runs right in front of the building. The front of the building is painted red and is a small, 2-story store front. The entrance is on the back-side of the building (painted purple with gray trim) on the 2nd floor (above the body building studio).

The Repertory Actors Theatre strives to produce quality theatrical entertainment using primarily multi-ethnic and non-traditional casting, by:
* Giving theatre artists of all backgrounds and skill-levels the opportunity to work together on mainstream projects that they might not normally have access to due to race, sex, age, or experience.
* Using our productions to help raise awareness, supplies and financial support for humanitarian and theatre-related charities and organizations.
* Developing in the general public, an increased appreciation for the dramatic and performing arts.

SIS Productions is a production company that strives to create, develop and produce quality works that involve Asian American women, their themes, and Asian American issues. SIS Productions encourages opportunities and support for Asian American women to be involved in all aspects of the production of artistic endeavors.

The Pork Filed Players is Seattle second oldest sketch comedy group. Since 1997, PFP has been the Northwest's premiere Asian American sketch comedy group, touring from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, BC, racking up appearances at the very first two Seattle Sketchfests, Bumbershoot 2004 and SketchOff@%#?!, the first international Asian sketch comedy competition. Over the years, the Players have employed an ever changing cast of characters in their never-ending battle for truth, pursuit of justice and finding out whatever the hell they mean by the American way of life in the 21st Century.