Jesa 

 

March 10, 2026 - April 12, 2026

Public Theater (Venue Shiva Theater) 

 

By Jeena Yi

Directed by Mei Ann Teo

Ma-Yi Theater Company in Residence

 

CAST

Tina Chilip/ Tina

Christine Heesun Hwang/ Brenda

Laura Sohn/ Elizabeth

 

Shannon Tyo/ Grace

 

 

JESA  Photo: Joan Marcus

 

JESA by Jeena Yi, directed by Mei Ann Teo, is a riotous and heart-wrenching new play that explodes the idea of the “perfect family gathering.” When four estranged Korean American sisters reunite in Orange County to perform their father’s Jesa—a traditional ritual honoring the dead—old wounds erupt, secrets surface, and ghosts (literal and emotional) refuse to stay buried. With razor-sharp dialogue, explosive humor, and unexpected tenderness, JESA asks how we honor our ancestors when we can barely stand each other. Come for the sibling brawls and burning shrimp, stay for the aching truth of what binds us. 

 

Jeena Yi | Playwright

Jeena is an actor, playwright, and avid baker. Born and raised in Los Angeles she now calls New York City home. As an actor she has worked on and off Broadway, as well as appearances in film & television. Notable credits include Network (Broadway), Succession (HBO), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), and Nyad (Netflix) She is immensely proud that her play JESA will have its world premiere with Ma-Yi Theater company next spring at The Public Theater.

 

Mei Ann Teo | Director |

Mei Ann Teo makes theatre at the intersection of artistic/civic/contemplative practice, across genres, including music theatre, intermedial participatory work, classics, and documentary theatre. Teo’s work has been in international festivals in Europe and Asia, and has directed/developed new work across the US, including Madeline Sayet’s Where We Belong national tour produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Teo has served

in artistic leadership as the Artistic Director of Musical Theatre Factory and the Assoc. Artistic Director and Director of New Work at OSF. Teo is currently an artistic leader at Ping Chong and Company.

 

Tickets are $80

https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2526/jesa