By Kelly Van Oosbree
Platte Valley Theatre Arts (PVTA) has received a grant from Arts Midwest, funded through the National Endowment for the Arts, to launch a wide-ranging community initiative exploring the history and legacy of Japanese Americans. The project feels especially relevant in Brighton, where many Japanese American families resettled after WWII and helped shape the city’s agricultural, educational, and civic life.
Working with Anythink Brighton library, PVTA will host a series of public readings and conversations centered on Julie Otsuka’s acclaimed novel When The Emperor Was Divine. The novel follows one Japanese American family through the upheaval of incarceration during WWII, offering a deeply personal view of an often-overlooked chapter of American history. Brighton residents can join these free events on November 10, December 8, and January 12 at Anythink Brighton. Copies of the book are available by emailing info@plattevalleytheatrearts.org by September 30, with additional free copies available afterward while supplies last.
The novel’s themes will also inspire a set of free creative writing workshops, where participants can reflect on their own histories, cultural experiences, and family stories. Dates and times for the workshops will be announced soon.
The project builds toward a major theatrical event: the regional premiere of Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths. Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree and starring Rob Payo, the one-man play recounts the true story of Gordon Hirabayashi, who courageously defied the U.S. government’s internment orders during WWII. Performances will take place at the Armory Performing Arts Center in Brighton on January 30–31 and February 6–7, 2026.
These stories are not just historical—they’re incredibly relevant today. In a time when civil liberties, immigration, and racial justice remain at the forefront of national dialogue, these narratives offer vital perspectives on resilience, identity, and the power of individual conscience.
With the support of Arts Midwest and the NEA, PVTA hopes the initiative will spark meaningful conversations and honor the enduring impact of Japanese American families on Brighton’s community identity.