TeAda Productions’ “Nothing Micro About Micronesia” play is kicking off its fall tour on Moku o Keawe, the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, on Tuesday. The play centers experiences of Micronesian youth. 

“‘Nothing Micro About Micronesia’ tells a coming-of-age story about three Micronesian youth who meet in an unlikely place and, through magic, are transported to island adventures in Micronesia. During the journey, these friends navigate between Hawaiʻi and the traditions of their homelands while facing the rising tides of their uncertain futures,” a press release from the production company stated. 

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The team behind “Nothing Micro About Micronesia” aims to shed light on the issues Micronesian youth face in Hawaiʻi, including challenges with migration, assimilation, cultural reclamation and balancing family responsibilities. “The play spotlights the cultural traditions and stories of Micronesians, while highlighting the urgent need for education and advocacy around issues of climate migration, cultural erasure, and discrimination in the present day,” the production company stated in its release. 

Catch the Tuesday show at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. The Maui show is set for Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. 

Guam, Saipan shows in the works

The production organization is also looking to bring “Nothing Micro About Micronesia” to Guam and Saipan next April. 

It won’t be the first time TeAda has traveled to Micronesia. The crew brought their play “Masters of the Currents” to the region in 2022. 

“Nothing Micro About Micronesia” expands on “Masters of the Currents,” which was the first nationally touring play about Micronesians, the production organization noted.

“Nothing Micro About Micronesia” was created by artistic directors Leilani Chan and Ova Saopeng, with cultural navigator Innocenta Sound-Kikku and valuable input from the community. Leilani and Ova held workshops with Micronesians in Hawaiʻi, the Marshall Islands, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Saipan, Guam, and the contiguous U.S. According to TeAda, those workshops and the stories that were shared in those spaces served as inspiration for “Nothing Micro About Micronesia.” 

If you go 

What: “Nothing Micro About Micronesia” live performance

When: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, 7 p.m. at UH Hilo Performing Arts Center

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, 2 p.m. at Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Tickets

UH Hilo | $20 general admission for adults; $15 for adults 55 years old and older; $10 for children 17 years old and younger; $15 for UH faculty, staff and alumni; $10 for UH Hilo/HawCC students. Purchase tickets online at https://bit.ly/nmamhilo or with cash at the door. 

Maui | $25 general admission for adults and $12 for children 3 to 18 years old. Purchase tickets online at https://bit.ly/nmammaui or with cash at the door. 

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Support ‘Nothing Micro About Micronesia’

For those unable to watch the performance but who would like to support the show, visit https://www.teada.org/nmamcampaign.