The World Transformed: Scenic Designs by Carey Wong - Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam

Scenic Design for Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam by Trieu Tran with Robert Egan.

Trieu Tran's autobiographical play traces his family's dramatic escape from war-torn Saigon and the horrors of a Viet Cong re-education camp to becoming refugees who end up in America.

"Honoring one's ancestors is an important part of many cultures in Asia. Altars to deceased family members or others who have passed often include photographs of the dead as well as joss sticks, food offerings, and objects of personal value...For this production, I combined the idea of a shrine to the deceased with that of an altar to the sea goddess Mazu, a guardian fo seafarers...For Trieu's family and other refugees, a shrine to a deity who could miraculously intercede in taking them across the water to a better life was an apt symbol."

Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam played a the ACT Theatre in October 2010. It was directed by Robert Egan, with costumes by Rose Pederson, lighting by Rick Paulsen, projections by Lara Kaminsky, and sound design by Brendan Patrick Hogan.