Where Do Peaches Grow? | Boston University CFA School of Theatre Program Book

Where Do Peaches Grow?

WRITTEN BY BECCA CARTER FREEMAN DIRECTED BY LUDMILA DE BRITO

Saturday, November 20, 2021 4pm 855 Commonwealth Ave, CFA 102

Artistic Team Director Assistant Director Dramaturgs

Ludmila de Brito Jacob Bergman Ahyoung Shin Jacob Bergman

Cast Ice Queen Mimi Prince Charming Toad Nova Vega

Rachel Hoy Kendall Mood Sam Regueros Charlie Berger Grace Ferrera Becca Carter Freeman

In 1952, under a grant from The Edward W. Hazen Foundation, American sociologist Dr. Ruth Hill Useem moved to India to observe Indian citizens who received a higher education in Western Countries. Interested in bringing her children along with them, Dr. Hill Useem and her husband Dr. John Useem (also a sociologist) began to notice an emerging trend with their children, about how they defined themselves within their cultural identities.

Their children became the first of what Dr. Hill Useem would deem “third culture kids,” commonly referred to as TCK. The first culture is that of their parents -- in this case American culture. The second is the culture of India, one that the children were raised in during highly impressionable developmental years in their lives. The third, and perhaps the most unique, is the shared experience of third culture kids with other third culture kids. TCK often feel a strained connection to the cultures of their family’s locale or their parent’s homes. This third culture is one of feeling out of place, of constant cultural isolation.

Dr. Hill Useem’s research led her to 76 countries over the course of the next four decades. She pioneered the study of third culture kids, and became known for her research at Michigan State University. While her work continues to circulate and influence sociological circles today, Where Do Peaches Grow? is a great example of a creative work that displays a third culture kid and her experiences.

The story follows a teenage girl named Vega, who visits her grandmother in rural Georgia for the summer. Vega, raised in South Korea but born in the United States, is a prime example of a TCK. Her relationship with her mother, her grandmother, the residents of the small Georgian town they are visiting, and even herself are strained as a result of her distinct feeling of otherness. Yet as she copes with her abrupt cultural shifts, Vega finds some solace in a fellow TCK, whom she dubs Toad. With Toad, Vega discovers the unifying culture that comes with all third culture kids. Thus, she begins to discover herself.

Jacob Bergman (CFA’24) and Ahyoung Shin (CAS’22) November, 2021

Upcoming Projects Laure NOV 19-21

“Jewels 1” Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatre, CFA 352 | 855 Commonwealth Ave

by Mya Ison (CFA’22) | Directed by Gigi Juras (CFA’22) A New Works Next Stage Production.Free Admission; seating is limited.

Machinal DEC 3-5

“Jewels 2” Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatre, CFA 356 | 855 Commonwealth Ave

by Sophie Treadwell | Directed by Shamus McCarty (CFA’23) Free Admission; seating is limited.

Patterns of Wind DEC 2-5 Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre | 820 Commonwealth Ave The School of Theatre presents a Booth Production world premiere. A convergence of stories of lineage, legacy, and land. Developed and facilitated by School of Theatre resident guest artist Ty Defoe in collaboration with guest artists Katherine Freer and Siobhan Growing Elm Brown.

Tickets are $20, available online at www.bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season.

For more details, visit www.bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season

The New Works cycle is a four-step process dedicated to the development of new plays at Boston University School of Theatre – from cold reads all the way to fully staged productions that are supported by a director and performed for audiences. All projects presented as part of the New Works trajectory are student written, directed, designed, and performed.