What happens when you come from a country that no longer exists and your culture is vanishing?
If you’re Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri, you write a play!
See Jane Run, An Indo Story takes audiences on an extraordinary journey confronting grief, inspiring hope, and emanating joy. The play highlights universal themes of love, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness. It is a unique story about the American Indo Dream. Indo refers to a dying culture of mixed-race people whose ancestors are both Indonesian and White, from centuries of European colonization in what was known as the Dutch East Indies. From her humble beginnings as a child refugee from Indonesia, Mantiri's play is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
For Mantiri, the play is an exhale after decades of silence. Indo refugee immigrants fleeing Indonesia after World War II suppressed their Indo identity because it was a source of danger and shame. Indos wanted their children to be safe by assimilating into a new culture.
“My parents wanted me to become an American. It is what immigrants did to protect their children. I became an American, erasing my past and denying myself and my loved ones the truth about my life and my culture. My story gives breath to my past and light to my future.”
The performance will be followed by a talkback with the artist.
CONTENT NOTE: This play references violence, abuse, and loss. Please prioritize your wellbeing as you attend See Jane Run.
Co-directed by Andrés Alcalá and Jane Vogel Mantiri
Sound and projection design by Andrés Alcalá
Photography by Ben Z. Mund
"If See Jane Run comes to a theatre near you, do not hesitate– go see it. Jane doesn’t just perform; she kills it. This is theatre at its most personal and potent, and it’s not to be missed." -Sankar Raman, Founder of The Immigrant Story
"There were moments I couldn’t breathe, and other moments I couldn’t move. And by the end, I couldn’t speak. I was so overcome by all that I had seen and heard! Thank you for sharing yourself with us in this very personal and profound way!" -Leroy Bynum Jr., Dean of Portland State University School of the Arts
