Theatre That Transcends Borders: "What We Remember"

 2 min read

What We Remember is a powerful new work by playwright Chelsea Unzner in close collaboration with J. Adán Ruiz and Doy Charnsupharindr. At Fuse, our mission is to use storytelling to foster empathy, uplift underrepresented voices, and bridge cultures. With WHAT WE REMEMBER, we are thrilled to present a play that does exactly that- boldly, beautifully, and unapologetically.

This deeply moving, multi-lingual, and multimedia theatrical experience explores memory, identity, and what it means to belong. Through the personal stories of two men- Adán and Doy, hailing from Mexico and Thailand respectively- What We Remember crafts a tapestry of memories that speak to immigration, cultural inheritance, intergenerational connection, identity, and transformation.

A Story Told Through Memory, Humor, and Heart

Set in a metaphorical “vault of memories,” What We Remember opens with a traditional Thai puppet show- playful and poetic- offering a taste of the story to come. From there, we dive into the layered memories of Adán and Doy. Childhood rituals like Día de los Muertos and Wan Wai Jao, family meals, and intergenerational wisdom collide with moments of fear, loss, and joy.

The play seamlessly fuses English, Spanish, Thai, and Chinese, and includes shadow puppetry, music, and moments of imaginative play. The characters remember crossing borders, facing their fears while growing up, and confronting what it means to carry the weight of one’s family dreams.

From humorous anecdotes about mischievous goats and bleach-blonde boyband hair, to the heart-wrenching journey of seeking asylum and the aching silence of a friend’s rejection- What We Remember never shies away from truth. And at the center of it all is a quiet, shared humanity. It invites audiences to laugh, reflect, and say: “I see myself in you.”

The show also uplifts theatrical traditions like Thai shadow puppetry, and celebrates oral histories passed through generations. These stories are stitched with humor, heart, and resilience. They are reminders that we all come from somewhere- and that where we’ve been shapes where we’re going.

We Invite You to Remember With Us

Whether it’s in a classroom, a black box theatre, a community center, or a living room, What We Remember is a show that inspires conversation long after the lights go down.

Two men

Two cultures

One shared table

Infinite memories

Let’s remember- together.

“Yo recordaré.”

“ฉันจะจำไว้”

“I will remember.”