Wanipok Incubator
Wanipok Incubator is a new play development program dedicated to exploring Thai-identified stories and authenticity. The program provides time, space, and mentorship for artists to create, refine, and share new theatrical works that challenge expectations and spark dialogue.
The program nurtures projects that amplify authentic Thai narratives and weave Thai stories into the American theatrical landscape. Participants are encouraged to experiment with diverse forms and languages—the scripts may be written in English, Thai, or bilingually—reflecting the fluidity and richness of the Thai diasporic experience.
Throughout the program, fellows participate in roundtable discussions, workshops, and feedback sessions with peers and creative collaborators to deepen their artistic practice.
At the culmination of the program, Thai, Thai American, and community members from across the Five Boroughs will gather for staged readings of the fellows’ new works—celebrating the voices, languages, and perspectives of the Thai community through live performance.
Current Work in Development
Siamese Play Cycle
The Siamese Play Cycle is an ongoing series of interconnected theatrical works that explore Thai and Thai diasporic experiences across time, geography, and form. Spanning multiple genres and disciplines, the cycle brings together distinct yet thematically linked pieces that examine identity, memory, culture, and belonging through evolving artistic perspectives.
How to Make Tom-Yum Soup, a chamber opera by Tidtaya Sinutoke
How to Make Tom-Yum Soup is a chamber multimedia opera inspired by the untold yet extraordinary life of Yai, a first-generation Chinese-Thai woman. The opera weaves live cooking and storytelling, as Wan, Yai's granddaughter, recalls her grandmother’s life through the act of making soup—blending memory, history, and flavor while revealing the origins and significance of the beloved Tom-Yum dish.
This bilingual opera features two performers and a looping pedal chorus, merging music, movement, and memory into a sensory exploration of heritage, resilience, and identity.
"กับข้าว" WITH RICE
Written and Composed by Tidtaya Sinutoke
A documentary musical based on interviews with Thai and Thai-Americans, "กับข้าว" WITH RICE shares our unique experiences with Thai food. What is our favorite dish? What do we miss? Are there any misconceptions? What are our favorite restaurants or recipes? Are there any memorable dishes we would like to share?
This musical serves as a musical menu, introducing new Thai dishes and stories for American audiences to explore. The music combines elements of the Thai tonal scale with contemporary American musical styles, reflecting the journey of Thai cuisine as it evolves into what we see on today’s menus.