Internment Camp Survivors Panel Follows Premiere of “Heart Mountain”

A free panel discussion featuring former Japanese American World War II camp internees and Japanese American community leaders will be held following the Sunday, Nov. 4, world premiere of “Heart Mountain” at Santa Monica College.

“Heart Mountain” tells the story of a family in a World War II Japanese interment camp through dance, music and powerful imagery. The play runs Nov. 2-11 in the SMC Theatre Arts Studio Stage, 1900 Pico Blvd. The panel discussion and reception follow the 2 p.m. Sunday performance.

Although the play follows a fictional family as it struggles to maintain dignity and cohesion in the face of difficult choices of conscience, it was inspired by research that included interviews with former camp internees–including Noboru Kamibayashi, who will participate in Sunday’s panel discussion.

The play was written by G.Bruce Smith, SMC’s public information officer and an award-winning playwright with production credits in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Minnesota.

“Heart Mountain” runs Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. in the SMC Theatre Arts Studio Stage.  Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door (plus service charge). Call (310) 434-4319 or go to www.smc.edu/eventsinfo. Parking is free Friday nights and weekends.

All Heart Mountain photos attributed to Judy Louff.