Pat Masumoto and her mother Florence Hasegawa enjoy a bon dance in 2008. (Photo courtesy of Jeffery Griffin/Special to Hawaii247.com)

 

 

Maui playwright Pat Masumoto has found a special way honor mothers this Mother’s Day: She is organizing “My Mama Monologues.”

It will be a compilation of stories written by the public about their own mothers and submitted for selection. Selected stories will be scripted and read by actors.

Maui playwright Pat Masumoto reports having received stories from Hawaii, the U.S. and Europe, and expects to hear from authors all over the world. Most have been from women, and she urges men and children to submit stories too.

The deadline to submit stories has been extended to Feb. 5.

Because it is a reading, “My Mama Monologues” can happen in theaters, dinner theaters, cafes, residences and even a barn will do. There has been interest in producing it throughout Hawaii and elsewhere.

“My own mother, who is a spry 100, is both a teller of stories and a choice subject of many good ones,” Masumotot said. “She is planning to submit one about her mother who came from Japan at the turn of the century.”

 

Masumoto’s mother, Florence Hasegawa, was awarded Maui County’s “Outstanding Older American Woman of the Year,” and honored by the state. She continues to issue marriage licenses out of her Lahaina home.

Those interested in writing or producing may visit www.MyMamaMonologues, or e-mail Pat@MyMamaMonologues.com.

“My Mama Monologues” is a staged reading to be held at multiple locations on Mother’s Day weekend, May. The reading will include a diverse mix of selected stories, submitted by the public, about one’s own mother.

—Contributing authors must be willing to have their stories edited to suit the format of the play. Authors of selected stories will be contacted before March 31. They may choose to be credited or remain anonymous.

Instructions for submittals:

* An author may submit more than one story.
* A story must be typed or legibly written in English.
* A story must be authentic and written from the point of view of the author.
* It is suggested that authors limit their stories to 1,200 words or seven minutes of voiced reading.
* Titles are recommended though not necessary.
* On a separate cover page, list the author’s name, age, gender, physical address, e-mail address and phone number. If the author does not wish to be revealed in the selection process, please write “author is shy.”

Submit to Pat@MyMamaMonologues.com and write “MMM Story” in the subject heading. Or mail to Ms. Pat Masumoto, Gallerie Ha, 51 N. Market St. Wailuku HI, USA 96793.

Anyone interested in producing “My Mama Monologues” is encouraged to e-mail Masumoto at: Pat@MyMamaMonologues.com with the subject heading MMM Production.