IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney D. Clark
cclark75@uw.edu
206-221-6797
Press image(s): [Download]
University of Washington School of Drama Presents Mother of Exiles
A Time-Jumping Epic of Migration, Memory, and the Resilience of Hope
SEATTLE, WA – The University of Washington School of Drama proudly presents Mother of Exiles by Jessica Huang, an imaginative and emotionally rich journey across 150 years of migration, survival, and familial legacy. Directed by first-year MFA directors REN and Sebastián Bravo Montenegro, the production runs April 22–26, 2025, at the Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre, with a preview performance on April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
MOTHER OF EXILES
By Jessica Huang
Directed by REN & Sebastián Bravo Montenegro
When: April 22–26, 2025
Where: Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre, 1803 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA
Tickets: $10–$22 | [Buy Tickets]
A MULTI-GENERATIONAL STORY ROOTED IN MIGRATION, REBIRTH, AND HOPE
Set across three timelines—1898 California, 1998 Miami, and 2063 ocean-bound America—Mother of Exiles is a vivid, poetic journey through the lives of one family, shaped by waves of political upheaval and migration. As history repeats and reinvents itself, this deeply personal story asks: What are we doing—spiritually, socially, politically—to nurture life?
“The play presents this incredible life force that feels unstoppable,” the directors shared. “Even through loss and sacrifice, new life insists on growing.”
This Producing Artists Laboratory production is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between first-year MFA directors and designers and second-year MFA actors. That same intergenerational spirit is reflected on stage, where six actors carry the weight and joy of these layered, interconnected roles across eras.
DIRECTORS’ VISION: SOFTNESS AS RESISTANCE, TENDERNESS AS TRANSFORMATION
“There’s something deeply radical in how this play centers tenderness,” say REN and Bravo Montenegro. “Amidst climate catastrophe and exile, the characters still choose to hold each other.”
Their co-direction embraces multiplicity—honoring both historical specificity and speculative futures, trauma and joy, loss, and levity.
“Levity doesn’t undercut the gravity—it sits beside it. The play insists on beauty and joy, even in the darkest times,” say REN and Bravo Montenegro.
The directors also shared that one line from the play continues to shape their vision:
“Your purpose is to be a bridge, not a border.”
“That’s the heart of our vision,” they explain. “We’re constantly asking: Are we building connections or shutting people out? Are we creating spaces where life can grow, or reinforcing barriers?”
“We see this question come into play with the character of Braulio, who believes he understands his purpose until he’s forced to question everything. That arc—of interrogating one’s purpose—resonates deeply with us as directors, as artists, and as people. Who, or what, do our efforts in this life serve?”
Audiences will encounter recurring relationships and themes that echo across timelines, offering an invitation to reflect on what we carry through generations—and what we might finally set down.
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM
Cast:
- Eddie Loi: Karis Ho**
- Modesto/Braulio Loi: Jerik Fernandez*
- Guard/Mick/Henry: John Austin**
- Tata/Claudia López: Adriana Gonzales*
- Midwife/Sarge/Karina López-Loi: Marena Kleinpeter*
- Missionary/Sofía/Mimi López-Loi: Betzabeth Gonzalez*
- Ancestors: Minki Bai*, Joo Kim˚, Mikey Flores, Yeonshin Kim*
Creative Team:
- Directors: Sebastián Bravo Montenegro* & Ren*
- Scenic Designer: Eunice Han*
- Costume Designers: Nour Afifi* & Evie Hawkins*
- Lighting Designer: Andy Smith**
- Sound Designer: M.L. Dogg †
- Stage Manager: Andrew Raymond Lee
- Intimacy Choreography: Alyssa Kay
- Choreography: Yeonshin Kim*
˚Undergraduate student at UW
*Graduate student at UW
**School of Drama alum
†School of Drama faculty/staff member
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre | 1803 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA
Performance Schedule:
• Preview Performance: April 18 – 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, April 22 – 7:30 PM
• Wednesday, April 23 – 7:30 PM
• Thursday, April 24 – 7:30 PM
• Friday, April 25 – 7:30 PM
• Saturday, April 26 – 2:00 PM
Run Time: Approx. 90 minutes with no intermission.
TICKETS: $10–$22 | [Buy Tickets]
Ticketing inquiries: ticket@uw.edu
AN INVITATION TO REMEMBER, REIMAGINE, AND RECLAIM
Mother of Exiles is a theatrical tapestry of past, present, and future—one that holds grief, joy, memory, and momentum in equal measure. It’s a play for anyone who’s ever wondered how their family got here—or where we’re all headed next.
For interviews, press tickets, or more information, contact:
Courtney D. Clark | cclark75@uw.edu | 206-221-6797
About the UW School of Drama
The University of Washington School of Drama develops innovative and courageous artists and scholars poised to be the creative leaders of tomorrow. Degrees offered include a BA, an MFA, and a Ph.D. The School of Drama’s public season features fully produced shows and Lab projects in three different venues on the Seattle campus. These productions provide students with opportunities for practice, experimentation, and exploration — often alongside prominent professional artists. We believe in the power of theatrical storytelling to elevate individual and collective voices, promote understanding, and nurture compassion.