By Kai Curry
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Three local theaters are uniting for a groundbreaking premiere of “Li,” a captivating play set in Inner Mongolia that promises to transport audiences into a rarely explored world, blending diverse artistic voices to create an unforgettable theatrical experience.
Directed by Christie Zhao and written by Wei He, “Li” will run on the stage at Seattle Public Theater (SPT), with collaboration from Seattle’s SIS Productions and Yun Theatre.
“It’s truly exciting!” Ruby Wang and Elodie Li of Yun said. “And also a rare opportunity to bring our different artistic voices and audience communities into one shared space.” Yun Theatre aims to reflect both Chinese and American ideologies, while challenging social norms and political issues. Their name, “yun,” means both “cloud” and “speak” in Chinese. It symbolizes Yun’s dedication to bold, relevant theater performed by diverse casts to diverse Seattle audiences.
Kathy Hsieh, a veteran actor who is part of SIS and the Office of Arts & Culture in the City of Seattle, explained the collaboration breakdown for “Li.” SIS Productions has full artistic control, while SPT ensures that workplace safety and company values are being met. Yun supports everyone’s efforts to connect the show to a larger and younger Chinese audience by providing translated marketing materials and Chinese closed captions. In addition, the costume designer/cultural advisor/choreographer for “Li” is not only one of Yun’s core company members, but she is from the Inner Mongolian city of Hohhot, where the play is set, Hsieh said.
This unique co-production model was established by SPT, who provides the venue—on the scenic shores of Green Lake—and handles front of house operations such as the box office, among other duties. Everyone involved partners on community engagement, while SIS is responsible for the hiring of the artists, managing the rehearsals (held at SPT), and overseeing the set design. “This script, while seemingly very simple on the page, is one of the most complicated productions we have ever done!” Hsieh said. “Set in Inner Mongolia! Original music! Cinematic scene transitions! A live chicken on stage!”
Yes, a live chicken.
“Li” tells the story of a thief who maybe isn’t very good at their vocation. She tends to “give away more than she gets,” the play’s promotional material describes. It was important for the production of “Li” that those involved understood life in contemporary China, Hsieh said. This makes SIS + Yun + SPT perfect for this world premiere. The two Asian-connected theaters are slightly different in origin and focus, Hsieh explained. SIS Productions is Asian American focused, with many of the team being American-born, whereas Yun is comprised of many people who are ethnically Chinese and grew up overseas, but now live in America.
SPT’s producing artistic director, Amy Poisson, emphasized the importance and relevance of this collaboration to SPT’s mission of uplifting underrepresented voices. They also welcome the opportunity to offer their larger stage space to theater companies such as Yun and SIS. Poisson met “Li’s” writer, He, during He’s interview for SPT’s Distillery New Works Festival in 2024. “From the first conversation, her zest for life, writing, and teaching were apparent,” said Poisson. He is a bilingual writer who grew up in Inner Mongolia. Her work has been published in both Mandarin Chinese and English in China, Taiwan, and the U.S. The cast for “Li” all have an Asian connection and include Hsieh. Director Zhao, who grew up in China, is a founding artistic director at Yun. She is also an interdisciplinary artist who helps with the set.
“Too often, stories set outside the U.S. or rooted in other cultures or countries tend to be told in ways that feel simplified or stereotypical,” said Yun’s Wang and Li. Although working together takes a lot of extra time and effort to coordinate, it also has allowed everyone to be “more thoughtful and accountable,” they added. “By bringing our audiences together, theatre becomes the place for connection, where people can learn about worlds and lives different from their own, while also finding the shared emotions of love, loss, joy, and humanity that connects us all.”
The story of the titular character, Li, and her family and friends (including the one with the chicken) is for anyone who doesn’t feel like they quite belong in the world, said Poisson. But they can still laugh at tough situations. “We think audiences will fall in love with Li’s earnest efforts to make things right in a world that isn’t always fair,” said Hsieh, who describes “Li” as uplifting, while not shying away from life’s harsh realities. Just like this tri-part collaboration of three diverse theater groups, “Li” demonstrates what’s most important in life—connection.
“For anyone who wants a delightful theatre treat to kick off the new year (plus original music that you would hate to miss!), come see Li!” said Wang and Li.
“Li” runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 8, 2026.
For information, visit seattlepublictheater.org and yun-theatre.com, SIS at facebook.com/sisproductions has extensive showcases on participating artists.
Kai can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.