a world premiere by Aaron Asano Swenson
February 14-16, 2025
in a co-production with UtahPresents as part of the Stage Door Series at Kingsbury Hall
FRIDAY @ 7:30pm (ASL interpreted + post-show discussion)
SATURDAY @ 4pm & 7:30PM
SUNDAY @ 2pm (Sensory friendly)
45 minutes, no intermission
Plan-B Mini Subscriptions are available at the button below. Tickets to this specific show are available at the Single Tickets button below (through UtahPresents for this show only rather than ArtTix, which means they won't display in our app).
KILO-WAT explores the life and legacy of point guard Wat "Kilo-Wat" Misaka, who led the University of Utah men's basketball team to the 1944 NCAA Championship at the height of World War II, when persons of Japanese descent from California, Washington, and Oregon were incarcerated in camps such as Topaz.
As residents of Utah, the Misaka family was spared incarceration.
Immediately following the Championship, Wat was drafted into the U.S. Army and, after the war ended, was assigned to interview survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.
When he returned home, he led the team to the 1947 NIT Championship, completed his degree in mechanical engineering, and was drafted by the New York Knicks, breaking the color barrier in professional basketball.
KILO-WAT explores what it means to make history within history.
The University of Utah retired Wat Misaka's number (20) in 2022.
CAST & CREATIVE
Playwright: Aaron Asano Swenson
Actor: Bryan Kido
Director: Jerry Rapier
Lighting Designer: David McKain
Projections Designer: Aaron Asano Swenson
Scenic Designer: Janice Chan
Sound Designer: Cheryl Ann Cluff
Stage Manager: Maisie Bunker Nelson
Scenic Builder: David Knoell
FREE FILM SCREENING
Join us and UtahPresents for a free screening of Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story, a documentary by Christine Toy Johnson & Bruce Johnson, in the Olpin Studio Union Theater at the University of Utah on Monday, February 3 at 5:30pm. Read more and reserve your free tickets here.
'A WEEK WITH A PLAY' FREE STUDENT MATINEES
Limited seating is still available for free student matinees February 11-14. Please email Melissa Salguero, Community Engagement Manager, UtahPresents for more information.
KILO-WAT will also tour to three high schools February 18-21: Davinci Academy in Ogden, City Academy in Salt Lake City, and Utah Arts Academy in St. George.
