Export Quality: A Theatrical Exploration Based on True Stories of Mail-Order Brides from the Philippines

3-17 December 2023
HERE Arts Center, Mainstage Theatre
145 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013

Get your tickets HERE.

Directed by Sonoko Kawahara

Written by Erica Miguel, Carolyn Antonio, Dorotea Mendoza

When survival means self-sacrifice, the only option for some women is to become a mail-order bride and marry a stranger from a foreign land.  Inspired by true stories, Export Quality traces the harrowing journeys of four mail-order brides from the Philippines, as they experience hope and despair, love and loss, death and renewal.  The play explores the complex phenomenon of the international mail-order bride industry.  Does the business benefit or harm women?  How does gender inequality and stereotypes feed the business? For a country like the Philippines, how does colonialism play a role?  What are the power dynamics at play? Export Quality also bears witness to women’s courage, their resilience in the face of violence, and the healing power of being in community and of storytelling. 

Presented by Loose Change Productions

With support from the Asian Women Giving Circle, NYFA-NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, MAP Fund, and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Performance schedule:
Tue, Thu, Fri at 8:30 pm
Sat and Wed at 4:00 and 8:30 pm
Sun at 4:00 pm

Tickets:  $35

There are ten tickets priced at $10 available for each performance on a first-come, first-served basis, for those in need of financial assistance. These tickets are available with the code ACCESS. Limit two tickets per patron. Subject to availability.

Community Partners also receive two complimentary tickets and discounted tickets. To find out about how to become a Community Partner, please email exportqualitymonologues@gmail.com.

Running time: 85 minutes, no intermission
Content warnings: Contains references to sexual violence.

Featuring: Myka Cue, Cat Grey, Jill Jose, and Arianne Recto

Set Design by Joey Mendoza
Costume Design by Siena Zoë Allen
Lighting Design by Reza Behjat
Sound Design by Chai Tamayo
Projection Design by Stefania Bulbarella

Production Stage Manager: Debora Porazzi
Assistant Stage Manager: Erin Mittman
Assistant Director: Skylar Lerose
Dramaturgy: Jeremy Stoller
Producer: John Breen, Loose Change Productions
Production Manager: Lauren Parrish

Get engaged…

There are many ways you can be part of the Export Quality community, from sharing your voice and perspective to getting the word out about the show. Click HERE to find out more.