Welcome to Julie.
SHALL SEE THEATER
WELCOMES YOU TO THIS JOURNEY
We believe theater is a shared human experience, made possible by the trust, care, and dedication of everyone under this roof. We’re all in this together—which might be why a theater is so often called a “house.” To help ensure the best possible experience for you and those around you, we kindly ask that you take a moment to review the following information.
This show does not have an intermission, and there is no re-entry once you leave the house, except for our Relaxed Performance. During our Relaxed Performance, you may leave and re-enter the house whenever needed.
This show contains certain themes and expressions that may upset or discomfort some audience members. There will be use of blood, depictions of suicide and substance abuse, mentions of animal slaughter and non-consensual sharing of intimate footage. Multiple loud gunshot sound effects will be used. For a more detailed sensory map with timecodes for these moments, please speak to our house staff.
If you have any accessibility needs or if there is anything we can do to make your experience more comfortable, please speak with our staff.
The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording inside this theater, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Violators may be punished by ejection, and violations may render the offender liable for money damages.
FIRE NOTICE: The exit indicated by a red light and sign nearest to the seat you occupy is the shortest route to the street. In the event of fire or other emergency, please do not run—WALK TO THAT EXIT. DO NOT USE AN ELEVATOR DURING A FIRE EMERGENCY. Thoughtless persons annoy patrons and endanger the safety of others by lighting matches or smoking in the premises during the performance. This violates a city ordinance and is punishable by law. THIS INCLUDES ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE.
Once again, we would like to warmly welcome you to this gathering and thank you for accompanying us on this journey.
Shall See Theater
2025-2027 Artistic Season “Hold”
Artistic Director: Zijun (Neil) Wang
Producer Zihe Tian
Shall See Theater Presents
After Miss Julie by August Strindberg
Written by Dejing Eloise Wang
Directed by Dejing Eloise Wang & Topaz Gao
WITH
Victoria Helu Chen
John (Haoyu) Jiang
Jirachaya Kiri
DRAMATURG
Zihe Tian
INTIMACY DIRECTOR
Safwa Ozair
SCENIC AND PROP DESIGNER
COSTUME, HAIR, AND MAKE UP DESIGNER
Junran (Charlotte) Shi
Ziqi Zhang
Zijun (Neil) Wang
LIGHTING DESIGNER
SOUND DESIGNER
Mikah Kota Carpio
Daisy C. Dai
Sherry Wu
PRODUCTION MANAGER
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Nghi Nguyen
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Yifan Zhang
MARKETING ASSOCIATE
CAST
Victoria Helu Chen
is JULIE
John (Haoyu) Jiang
is JEAN
Jirachaya Kiri
is KRISTINE
SETTING
A luxury mansion surrounded by stranded real estate projects.
Present time.
Julie runs 90 minutes with no intermission.
A WELCOME LETTER FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Welcome to Julie.
When I first encountered August Strindberg’s Miss Julie in an "Introduction to Theater Studies" classroom years ago, I saw a play about a cage. Today, as we bring our adaptation, Julie, to the stage, I see something far more complex: an ecosystem.
In biology, there is a beautiful, desperate word: symbiosis. We often mistake it for simple harmony, but in the natural world, symbiosis is a friction-filled clinging. It is a state where one organism cannot exist without the weight of the other. In Julie, we find two such organisms—Julie and Jean—locked in a kitchen, bound by a frantic need to survive and a jagged pursuit of happiness.
Likewise, theater as an art form is a symbiosis. It is a living thing that cannot exist in isolation. It requires the specialized, interlocking talents of every designer, technician, and performer, and it is only "completed" when it meets the energy of you, our audience. In that spirit of mutual dependence, I am deeply honored to bring this full BIPOC cast, creative, and production team to you. Together, we have cultivated this environment, and we invite you to inhabit it with us.
Strindberg wrote these characters through the cold eye of "naturalistic tragedy.” In the (in)famous preface he wrote for this play, he suggests that they were mere victims of their biology and their prewritten fates—a determinism. But in this production, we choose to push back against that accusation. We are searching for the moment where the system breaks—where the "parasitism" of class and power gives way to a rare, mutualistic pulse of emotion. Our goal is to find that brief, authentic clearing in the woods where these two people truly care for one another.
To me, the tragedy isn't that they were born into a cage; it’s that for one shimmering second, they held each other with a sincerity that the world outside simply wouldn’t allow to grow.
I’m thrilled to present you Julie as the start of our 2025-2027 Artistic Season. Thank you for being part of our ecosystem tonight. Thank you for holding this space with us.
Zijun (Neil) Wang
Artistic Director, Shall See Theater
Miss Julie has been my guilty pleasure play ever since I first read it.
Strindberg is not popular in the 21st century. The criticism is mostly against the blatant misogyny in his works, especially when the Scandinavian buddy Ibsen was able to write A Doll’s House. Nonetheless, I believe Strindberg is the better writer. His world is full of euphemism, intense analogies, neurotic dreams, and class consciousness, which is much more appealing to my equally neurotic brain.
So, of course, I was thrilled to work on Miss Julie, but you can’t adapt a 200-year-old text without some critical thinking. Today, classism and feminism take different forms, and intersectionality stays at the center of every activism discussion because – let’s face it, we’re in New York. Last October, I started with “What if Jean is a performative male?” and evolved to “What if Julie runs an unethical charity and Jean is a fake socialist?”
Yet in the past five months, I kept asking myself if Julie is feminist enough, socialist enough, Asian enough, worrying someone might deem us problematic. I am in constant fear that this play should’ve done more and won’t do enough. But what is “enough”? How much is “enough” for a play? And what are we even measuring? In a way, Julie asks these exact questions.
As you’re reading this note, you’re about to be the judge for that.
I’m about to stop feeling guilty for enjoying my guilty pleasure play, because now Julie exists.
I hope you enjoy it too.
From my neurotic brain with love,
E
A NOTE FROM PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTOR
VICTORIA HELU CHEN (Julie) grew up in Beijing, Switzerland, and Singapore before moving to the U.S. for college. She is a graduate of AMDA and The New School. International credits include performances on CCTV and at the Musikverein, Vienna. Recent Off-Broadway: Bloom: A Musical Myth (Connelly Theater), Microbes (Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater). Off-Off Broadway: Fluffy the Pine, Nine Shadows in Bloom. Other favorites: Rent (Mimi), The Little Mermaid (Ariel). As a producer, she has created concerts at 54 Below, including 54 Sings East Meets West and 54 Introduces: International Musical. @deervictoria_
JOHN (HAOYU) JIANG (Jean) is from Xinjiang China, and he came to the US at age of 15 to attend Cheshire Academy where he found his passion in acting, since then he acquired his BA in theater from Union College, and he recently graduated as a company member from American Academy of Dramatic Art. Since graduating, he has taken on many roles on stage and in short films, such as, Sir Kong in Of Ashes And Souls, The Eldest in Not Our Home Not Our Home, John in short film APE etc. He is super excited to be part Julie, and bringing this story to life. He would like to thank everyone who has helped him along his journey, without all of you this could never happen. Instagram: JohnJiang98
JIRACHAYA KIRI (Kristine) is a Thai American actor from the Bay Area, where she graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in cognitive science. Primarily focused on screen acting, she is SAG-E, having played roles from scheming cheerleaders to neurotic art students to unimpressed dates. She’s very excited to be performing on stage as part of Julie! @jirachaya.png
DEJING ELOISE WANG (Playwright, Director) is a theatre director, playwright, and intimacy professional born and raised in Qingdao, China. Favorite credits: Anti-Gone俺抬杠?! (Edinburgh Fringe, A.R.T/New York), Tropopause (GAF 2024), As You Like It (Labowitz Theatre). For their not-so-serious theatrical portfolio, visit dejingeloisewang.com. For their even more unserious life portfolio, visit @de.jing_ on instagram. Finally, Eloise would like to thank their mom for tolerating them zooming into rehearsals at 7am.
TOPAZ GAO (Director) is a director, designer, and educator based in New York who believes in theater’s intrinsic ability to foster community through both its process and presentation. Their projects have always emphasized a balance of sustainable practice and creative ambition, striving to empower each of their collaborators by breaking down standard theatrical hierarchies and creating a communal space where each department can meaningfully affect the final performance. Similarly, they hope the stories they put onstage will allow audiences to find and feel community, as well as feel inspired to enact change outside of the theater.
ZIHE TIAN (Producer, Dramaturg) is a producer, dramaturg, cultural consultant based in New York. Her works mainly involve international presenting and producing, East Asian aesthetics and storytelling. She's very happy to have worked on Julie with this amazing team. BA: NYU, MFA: Columbia.
JUNRAN (CHARLOTTE) SHI (Scenic and Prop Designer) is a set and production designer based in New York. Selected credits: Hypochondriac, Yerma (NYU Grad Acting), Road Kills (Good Apples Collective), Far Away (Stairwell Theater). M.F.A. NYU Tisch, Design for Stage and Film. Junranshi.com
ZIQI ZHANG (Costume, Hair, and Make Up Designer) is a New York–based costume designer whose work explores character, atmosphere, and visual storytelling on stage. Her credits include Hollow Cross, The Insanity, and Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
ZIJUN (NEIL) WANG (Lighting Designer, Artistic Director) proudly serves as the Artistic Director of Shall See Theater and is immensely grateful for this talented full-POC company! BFA from NYU Tisch Drama. Broadway: Kimberly Akimbo National Tour (Assistant Lighting Designer); Off-Broadway: The Nursery (Lighting Designer, The Flea); and more design: Anti-Gone (ART New York), Anxiety is the Dizziness of Freedom (Tisch Drama Stage), Cabaret (Tisch New Theatre), and all directing works below. Directing: Of Ashes And Souls (Shall See Theater, The Flea), Hollow Cross (Soho Rep), The Insanity (TNC), Accidental Death of An Anarchist (Theatre Row). Zijun is pursuing his MFA degree in lighting design at CMU School of Drama with a full tuition scholarship. zijunneilwang.com
MIKAH KOTA CARPIO (Sound Designer) (he/they) is a NYC Ecuadorian-American sound designer, composer, and live audio engineer. He is deeply thankful to the cast and creative team. UPCOMING: POP! and BEEHIVE at Tent Theater (A1). Read more about him at www.mikahkotacreative.space!
DAISY C. DAI (Production Stage Manager) works at the intersection of music business and data, focused on live event production and global pop culture marketing. She has hands-on experience supporting concerts and theater productions across New York, Shanghai, and Los Angeles.
SHERRY WU (Production Manager) is a Projection and Video designer. BFA in Interactive Media Arts at Tisch School of the Arts. Recent: Of Ashes and Souls (Projection Designer), Anti-Gone (Associate Lighting Designer), Remorse (Assistant Lighting Design), Femme 919 (Projection/Video Design), Hollow Cross (Projection/Video Design), The Insanity (Projection/ Video Design), Awake (Lighting Design). Sherry is pursuing her MFA in Video and Media Design at CMU School of Drama. Past productions & More works: wusherry.com, Instagram @dhrsysll
JOYCE ZHANG (Lighting Assistant) is a student based in New York. She enjoys technical theatre and is excited to join Julie.
SHALL SEE THEATER (Producing Company) is thrilled to welcome you to its new artistic season. Founded in 2025 by four talented young artists, Shall See Theater's mission is to empower East Asian theater artists to share their stories, languages, and cultural aesthetics on global stages. It puts efforts on both sides of “the fourth wall,” connecting artists in the making with the professional theater ecosystem and inviting global audiences to experience accessible, transformative performances that celebrate East Asian voices. Learn more and join us at shallseetheater.org
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Information in "WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM" is provided by the individuals. Where opinions are expressed, they are those of the individuals, not necessarily those of SHALL SEE THEATER.
STAFF AND CREW MEMBERS
Shall See Theater Staff
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair: Zijun (Neil) Wang
Vice Chair: Zihe Tian
Board Secretary: Han (Zihan) Gao
Board Treasurer: Junhong (Andrew) Fei
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Artistic Director: Zijun (Neil) Wang
Managing Director: Zihe Tian
General Manager: Jiani Bai
Executive Assistant: Han (Zihan) Gao
ARTISTIC STAFF
Director of Programming: Dejing Eloise Wang
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Department of Finance and Development
Director: Junhong (Andrew) Fei
Development Associate: QQ Xing
Department of Marketing
Director: Yifan Zhang
Branding Manager: Jingyi Luna Peng
Graphic Designer: Jingtong Yan
Marketing Consultant: Chang Pei Chun (Jimmy)
Department of Community Engagement
Staff of Community Engagement: Jinghan (Destiny) Gong
PRODUCTION STAFF
Assistant Production Manager: Sherry Wu
Staff for Julie
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Daisy C. Dai
Producer’s Assistant: Zihan (Han) Gao
General Manager: Jiani Bai
Branding Manager: Jingyi Luna Peng
Graphic Designer: Jingtong Yan
Box Office Manager: Jingyi Luna Peng
Production Electrician: Joanne Jiang
Lighting Assistant: Joyce Zhang
Lighting Board Operator: Joyce Zhang
Sound Board Operator: Mikah Kota Carpio
Run Crew: Zihan (Han) Gao
Run Crew: Haocheng Harry Li
Character Stills Photographer: Ayda Bahrampour
Show Photographer: Yifan Zhang
Show Arts: Chris Zhang
Lighting equipment from Studio RRD (formerly Tribeca Lighting). Lighting design for this production is made possible by their generous help.
Part of the scenery from Materials for the Arts. Materials for the Arts (MFTA) provides NYC arts nonprofits, public schools and city agencies with access to free materials.
This production is at Chain Theatre (312 W 36th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10018) as part of The Factory Series @Chain Theatre, which provides renters with production support, which may include subsidized space, rehearsal studios, and equipment and the overarching marketing, publicity, and technology enhancements for the theater.
SPECIAL THANKS
Daisy C. Dai, Zihan Gao, Destiny Gong, Joanne Jiang, Peter Xiao
Shall See Theater would like to thank all the donors for their immense trust, love, and care. You have helped uplift the next generation of East Asian theater artists, and it is with your generosity that we are able to bring this reimagined play to a New York audience.
DONORS
Special Thanks to Donors for Julie with Generosity over $1,000
Anonymous
Xincheng Ma
Wang Chongyang
Special Thanks to Donors for Julie
Anonymous
jiacheng cai
Huan Gao
Xiang Gao
Peiyu Han
YANHUI HE
John John
Zhiping Li
Ting Hsuan Yen
Lei Zhao
Special Thanks to Donors for SST’s Artistic Season
Elizabeth Bonjean
Shall See Theater’s 2025-2027 Artistic Season is made possible by the Community Leader Grant of the Citizens Committee for New York City.
You can make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation to Julie or Shall See Theater. Please click the link below or speak to a house staff member on your way out. We also have Julie-themed merch on sale. Purchasing merch items helps Shall See Theater with its general operations and its commitment to bringing affordable, accessible theater performances to a theater near you. Check it out in the lobby!
For sharings on social media, we encourage you to tag Shall See Theater’s Instagram @shallseetheater or Red Note @小隙大作 Shall See Theater. Join the newsletter of Shall See Theater and learn more about our future production at shallseetheater.org.