“Conversational, unflinching and delicately layered, Ogawa’s memoir-like excavation tests the boundaries of love and family obligation through intimate confession.” —New York Times
Are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of our parents? Through a series of absurd autobiographical vignettes, innovative playwright, performer, translator, and director Aya Ogawa’s hit Obie Award–winning show irreverently and boldly delves into what it takes to forgive. A trip to Ogawa’s home country of Japan, a child’s nosebleed, and the reality TV show The Bachelor come together in this darkly comical and psychologically insightful theatrical tribute to Ogawa’s father.
Aya Ogawa: The Nosebleed
Thursday–Saturday, January 25–27, 8 pm
Tickets start at $15. No additional fees.
McGuire Theater
“When I experienced the world premiere of The Nosebleed at Lincoln Center Theater, I was struck by the fullness of its vision,” said Theater Mu Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal. “It embraces ingenuity and experimentation, yet also exposes a vulnerability of the heart and a deep empathy for its characters. Any of us who have lost a parent can see the truth of Aya’s journey as they come to terms with their relationship with their father.”
“Every January the Walker’s Out There Festival brightens our darkest winter days with exciting voices in international experimental theater,” said The Great Northern’s Chief Programming Officer Kate Nordstrum. “To include an Out There performance as part of The Great Northern is an opportunity to spotlight the seasonal gift of that festival, now in its 36th year. To partner with Twin Cities treasure Theater Mu to jointly present Aya Ogawa’s insightful, autobiographical, and award-winning The Nosebleed is a special honor.”
Copresented with Theater Mu and The Great Northern
The Nosebleed was copresented by Japan Society and the Chocolate Factory Theater in October 2021. Produced by Lincoln Center Theater, New York, 2022.
LEARN MORE
Before The Nosebleed’s co-presentation by the Walker, Theater Mu, and The Great Northern, the Walker Reader spoke with Ogawa about the process of creating the show, being caught between cultures and generations, and about what their kids think of it all in “Looking Forward and Looking Backward with Aya Ogawa.”
ABOUT AYA OGAWA
Aya Ogawa is an award-winning Brooklyn-based playwright, director, performer, and translator whose work reflects an international viewpoint and utilizes the stage as a space for exploring cultural identity, displacement, and other facets of the immigrant experience. Cumulatively, all aspects of their artistic practice synthesize their work as an artistic and cultural ambassador, building bridges across cultures to create meaningful exchange amongst artists, theaters, and audiences both in the US and in Asia. They challenge traditional notions of the American aesthetic and identity by creating performances infused with a multiplicity of perspectives and languages, and by incorporating influences from outside the US—of style, form, and content. As a theater-maker, they frequently use a collaborative creative process with performers and designers and push the form with an eye not only on spoken text, but physicality, musicality, and interactivity.
TICKETS
Ordering tickets is easy: visit walkerart.org/tickets or call 612.375.7600. Prices include all applicable fees. The box office is open Wednesday–Sunday and one hour before the performances.
MEMBERS SAVE 20%
Become a member and enjoy a 20% discount on performance tickets, unlimited free gallery admission, special events, and more. Join at walkerart.org/membership or call 612.375.7655.
STUDENTS COME EARLY
Arrive an hour before showtime for $10 in-person rush tickets. One ticket per person with valid student ID.
BUY MORE AND SAVE
Groups of 10 or more save 15% on tickets. Purchase group tickets online, over the phone, or in person. Discount automatically applied at checkout on orders of 10 or more tickets to the same performance.
ACCESSIBILITY
Audio description is planned for Friday, January 26.
Assistive-listening devices are available at the box office. For more information about accessibility, or to request additional accommodations for this performance, call 612.375.7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Walker Art Center’s Performing Arts programs are made possible by generous support from the Doris Duke Foundation through the Doris Duke Performing Arts Fund, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
PRODUCERS COUNCIL
Performing Arts programs and commissions at the Walker are generously supported by members of the Producers’ Council; Nor Hall and Roger Hale; King’s Fountain/Barbara Watson Pillsbury; Sarah Lutman and Rob Rudolph; Emily Maltz; Leni and David Moore, Jr./The David and Leni Moore Family Foundation; Jon Oulman; Therese Sexe and David Hage; and Mike and Elizabeth Sweeney.
ABOUT THEATER MU
Theater Mu (pronounced MOO) is one of the largest Asian American theater companies in the nation and the largest in the Midwest. Founded in 1992, Mu sits at the intersection of arts, equity, and justice, and it tells stories from the heart of the Asian American experience. Theater Mu’s continuing goal to celebrate and empower the Asian American community through theater is achieved through mainstage productions, emerging artist support, and educational outreach programs. Theater Mu is a member of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists as well as a member of the Twin Cities Theatres of Color Coalition, proudly standing alongside New Native Theatre, Pangea World Theater, Penumbra Theatre, and Teatro Del Pueblo. | theatermu.org
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHERN
The Great Northern celebrates our cold, creative winters through diverse programming that invigorates mind and body in late January and early February. In an era of changing climate that threatens our signature season, we seek to create community, inspire action, and share the resilient spirit of the North with the world. For more information on The Great Northern, please visit www.thegreatnorthernfestival.com or follow along on social media at @TheGreatNorthernFestival on Facebook and Instagram and @greatnorthern on Twitter.