Fil-Am director Raymond O. Caldwell on his dream project 'Fly Me to the Sun'

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany and raised in Stuttgart, Raymond O. Caldwell grew up in a bicultural family. The son of a Filipino mother from Baguio City and an African American father, Caldwell moved to the US as an adult, to Washington DC, where he was the artistic director at DC's Theater Alliance for six seasons.

Recently, he just moved to Los Angeles to take over the artistic leadership of LA's The Fountain Theatre following a nationwide search by the Fountain's board of directors and replacing no less than the retiring founding artistic director Stephen Sachs after 35 years of service. He also wants to be close to his extended Filipino family, the majority of whom live in Southern California.

Caldwell, who has spent the last 16 years in Washington DC as a director, writer, producer, and educator, is the recipient of the Helen Hayes awards for directing, writing, and producing and was a regular recipient of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Artist Fellowship.

Under his leadership at DC's Theater Alliance, he devised and directed the new work, A Global I.D.E.A., with 23 artists and activists from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and the US which explores what "Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility" mean on the global stage. He has developed and led similar international programming promoting cultural preservation, LGBT+ rights, disability advocacy, peacebuilding, and countering violent extremism, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.

In our email interview with him, he talks about his new role as the artistic director of LA's Fountain Theatre and directing his dream project, "Fly Me to the Sun," which opens September 6 and runs until October 12.

Congratulations on your new position as Artistic Director of the Fountain Theatre. What is the significance of this appointment/position for you?

Thank you! This appointment truly means the world to me! It's such an honor to be a part of the incredible 35-year legacy of The Fountain Theatre. As a kid, I spent a lot of time visiting California. Both my Filipino and Black family have deep roots here in Southern California dating all the way back to the '50s and '60s! This appointment is kind of a homecoming for me and my extended family. I'm excited to share my brand of theatre and community building with a region that I've always wanted to live in and considered home in many ways.

In your new position, how do you plan to serve the Southern California theatre community and aficionados? What are your plans?

The Fountain Theatre has always been known for its commitment to presenting and developing new work that asks vital questions. I'm excited to build upon this legacy by presenting and developing work that inspires deep community building, civic engagement, volunteerism, and collective action. I'm committed to expanding our education, outreach, dance, and music programming. The Fountain will continue to be an intimate cultural hub for artists and audiences who are committed to celebrating and amplifying the beauty and diversity that make Southern California so unique.

You are also directing "Fly Me to the Sun" which is opening at the Fountain on September 6. Can you please tell us more about it and the challenges of directing it as well?

Two years ago, I began developing this play with Brian Quijada about his relationship with his grandmother and in the process began to think more deeply about intergenerational relationships. These relationships are vital to society because they foster social cohesion, promote learning and understanding across generational divides, and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities by sharing wisdom, experiences, and traditions. I'm thrilled to produce and direct "Fly Me to the Sun" at The Fountain Theatre because I hope to inspire vital conversations across generational lines about love, forgiveness, immigration, and the American dream.

It's a challenge to produce theatre today because theatre is an experience that asks a lot of potential audience - you have to get dressed, buy a ticket, and leave your house. Post-pandemic, getting folx to come out and participate is perhaps one of the greatest challenges for every cultural organization. While participation and funding are constant challenges, I remain optimistic about what we're doing at The Fountain because we're building unique theatrical experiences that force you to grapple with big ideas that invite transformation and growth!

You came from a biracial family – Filipino and African American. How do the varied cultural influences make you into the person you are today? How Filipino are you? Did your mother expose you to Filipino traditions and culture? When was the last time you were in the Philippines? Please tell us more about what you look forward to on a visit to the homeland.

I'm a Filipino and African American, but I was also raised in Germany with a German-Jewish stepfather. Being raised with these varied cultural and racial identities became vital components of the person I am today. Growing up, my family instilled the importance and celebration of diversity as a core value.

How Filipino am I? I'm so Filipino that I eat balut! I was raised to be very proud of my Filipino heritage. My mother, aunts and lolas raised me with strong Filipino values and a connection to our familial roots in Baguio City and Romblon. I was just in the Philippines this past December for my brother's wedding in Isabela, and I'll be going back home to the Philippines this December for my lolo's 80th birthday. I'm excited to eat halo-halo, hang out at the beach, and sing karaoke with my family. What I love most about being Filipino is how culturally expansive we are! We are all over the world, and everywhere we are, so is our culture!

If you were given a chance to have a dream project, what would it be?

"Fly Me to the Sun" is a dream project because it really reminds me of my relationship with my lola. Like the main character in the show, my grandparents came to live with me, my siblings, and parents when I was a kid. Their influence was transformative! "Fly Me to the Sun" is about the importance of being raised intergenerationally – which is a core value within Filipino culture.

Another dream project I'm quietly working on is a celebration of Filipino migration called "Filipinos in Space"! It's an exploration and celebration of the Filipino's unique ability to migrate throughout the world, while maintaining their cultural values, connection to family, and a commitment to returning home. The play begins with an alien space crew discovering a balikbayan box in space – within it are the secrets of Filipino history and culture! —MGP, GMA Integrated News