In 1890, a blue-eyed doctor from across the ocean

brought a ray of hope to Joseon in its final days.

<Rosetta>

★★★★★

Selected for both the showcase and main program of the

2022–2023 ACC International Co-Production Series

Rosetta: A Woman Who Defied Prejudice and Discrimination

Her Brilliant Life Story Unfolds on Stage

Rosetta Sherwood Hall brought the light of modern medicine and education to Korean women who had long been pushed to the margins. Of her 86 years, she spent 44 in Korea—a remarkable journey that now returns to us with quiet, resonant power. Her legacy affirms the dignity of every being, transcending the boundaries of gender, disability, and nationality. On stage, eight actors give voice to her name, each in their own rhythm, hoping to cast a gentle light across the vast stretch of time to reach today’s audience.

A World-Class Production Devised through International Collaboration

The Living Theatre—a legendary force in American experimental theater that reshaped the history of the stage

Play Factory Mabangzen—a powerhouse of Korean theater acclaimed for its imaginative and enthralling works that have captivated audiences and critics alike

A Dazzling Ensemble That Breaks the Boundaries of Language and Gender

The cast features Kim Sung-ryeong, known for her gentle charisma across a range of genres.

Joining her on stage are Koh In-bae, Kyeon Min-seong, Won Gyeong-sik, Lee Gyeong-gu, and Kim Ha-ri, who return to retrace Rosetta’s journey.

In addition, Brad Burgess and Emma Sue Harris bring the Living Theatre’s signature energy and sensibility to the Korean stage.

There are only eight chances to witness this breathtaking production!

[Co-Production] NTCK & ACC Foundation

The National Theater Company of Korea(NTCK) presents outstanding productions from public institutions, delivering high-quality performances while fostering international exchange and paving the way for global engagement. Co-produced with the National Asian Culture Center Foundation(ACC Foundation), Rosetta premiered in 2023 to critical acclaim, garnering widespread attention as the first Korean project by The Living Theatre—one of the world’s most renowned avant-garde companies, whose alumni include Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. This August, the two institutions reunite to bring to the stage the true story of a woman who defied prejudice, offering a message of love for humanity that resonates around the world.

Synopsis

“I came to this country to love, and it is love that keeps me here.”

Rosetta begins with the unexpected discovery of a faded diary, which opens a window into the life of a woman who gave everything to a faraway land. Rosetta Sherwood Hall, an American doctor, came to Korea with her husband and began a life of devoted service in places where medicine and education were desperately needed. She founded hospitals and schools for women, children, and people with disabilities, embracing the most vulnerable with warmth and compassion. Guided by the words in her diary, the play traces Rosetta’s journey of love, suffering, conviction, and sacrifice. Her quiet yet unwavering voice still reaches us today, asking:

“Who are you lifting up today? What will we leave behind as we live our lives?”

Written & Directed by Yossef K. Junghan

Yossef K. Junghan is a director and playwright active in both the U.S. and the U.K., known for championing the idea of the “paradigm shift.” His work spans avant-garde experimental theater, classical Shakespeare, and commercial musicals, showcasing his versatility as an artist who moves effortlessly across genres.

Major Works
Plays: Rosetta, Rendezvous, Joyce, Titus Andronicus (Rose Playhouse)
Musicals: Dreamers, Special 5, Big Fish

Produced by Yellow Bomb

Yellow Bomb is a multidisciplinary cultural content company based in Seoul and New York, founded by a group of producers and creatives with extensive experience in cultural identity and international collaboration across theater, musicals, contemporary dance, music, Korean traditional music, and fashion. In partnership with leading U.S. productions and companies such as the Living Theatre and Concrete Temple Theatre, Yellow Bomb has spearheaded major international projects, including global tours by Korean contemporary dance companies and gugak artists. Drawing on its expertise in international exchange, the company continues to establish itself as a key player in global arts production.

Co-Produced with The Living Theatre 

Founded in 1947 by Julian Beck and Judith Malina, the Living Theatre is a landmark company credited with launching the American Off-Broadway movement and shaping the landscape of avant-garde theater in the United States. Its influence continues to resonate throughout the history of modern theater worldwide. The company has nurtured talents such as Al Pacino and Robert De Niro and has staged groundbreaking works by iconic playwrights and poets including Bertolt Brecht and T. S. Eliot—figures who remain central to the evolution and study of contemporary drama.

Co-Produced with Play Factory Mabangzen
Established in 2005 by playwright and director Koh Sun-woong, Play Factory Mabangzen has earned a reputation for imaginative and widely accessible productions. Its acclaimed works include The Chalk Circle, I Wasn’t There in Gwangju, Rickshaw Boy, and Learoejeon. The name “Mabangzen” refers to a square arrangement in which the sum of every row, column, and diagonal is always equal. This symbolizes the company’s artistic philosophy that, regardless of variation in individual performance or sensibility, the ensemble as a whole must always achieve perfect harmony.