Koreaboo

Koreaboo

  • 14 Jun – 20 Jul 25 Downstairs Theatre
  • Approx. 90 minutes (no interval)

Koreaboo

Griffin Theatre Company

By Michelle Lim Davidson
Directed by Jess Arthur

  • Venue Downstairs Theatre
  • Dates 14 Jun – 20 Jul 25
  • Duration Approx. 90 minutes (no interval)
  • Presented by
  • In association with
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  • Supported by
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Hannah had her trip all planned out. Travel to Korea. Visit her birth mother. Spend a golden summer creating precious memories.  

But when she arrives in Seoul reality hits hard. Her Umma works in a convenience store day and night, barely taking a break. She seems more interested in stacking shelves and re-arranging the garden gnome display than connecting with her long-lost Australian daughter.  

Hannah is Korean, yet in Umma’s mind, Hannah is a “Koreaboo”—a foreigner captivated by K-Pop, kimchi and hanboks. Armed with only Google Translate and unrelenting optimism, Hannah must try to find a place within Umma’s world before the end of a sweltering summer.  

Taking inspiration from real events of Michelle Lim Davidson‘s life (The Feather in the Web, The Newsreader), this profound and heartfelt play marks the writing debut of one of Australia’s most beloved performers. Michelle herself takes to the stage under the direction of Jessica Arthur (The Dictionary of Lost Words), in a reunion story that reaches across continents, cultures and Spotify® playlists. 

Koreaboo was developed as part of Griffin Studio, an initiative of Griffin Theatre Company, with support from the Malcolm Robertson Foundation and Griffin Studio donors, and the Griffin Redraft Fund. 

Andrew Undi Lee’s role is generously supported by Shane & Cathryn Brennan

Performance Times

Weekly Times

  • tuesday 7pm
  • wednesday 7pm
  • thursday 7pm
  • friday 7pm
  • saturday 1pm & 7pm

    No 1pm performance on 14, 21 & 28 June

  • sunday 5:30pm

    Except 15 June at 7pm & 20 July at 1pm

  • image description Preview Session
  • image description Special Performance
  • image description Closed captioned

PRICES

  • Previews*
  • Full $68
  • Senior $64
  • Concession $57
  • Under 35 $38
  • In-Season
  • Full $72
  • Senior $68
  • Concession $60
  • Under 35 $40
  • Rush Tickets** $25

*Please note Preview shows for Koreaboo are 14 – 18 June, 2025.

**Rush tickets are available on Griffin’s website and over the phone (9361 3817) on Tuesdays from noon, for that evening’s performance until sold out.

For the full terms and conditions, please visit Griffin’s website.

TEAM

  • Michelle Lim Davidson
    Writer
  • Jessica Arthur
    Director
    image description

    Jess Arthur is one of the most prolific main-stage theatre directors. Her productions include The Wolves for Old Fitz and subsequent 2019 Belvoir season. Jess was Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company 2018 – 2022, directing productions Chalkface, The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall, Wonnangatta, Banging Denmark, Mosquitos and Home I’m Darling. Jessica also worked as […]

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  • Cast

  • Michelle Lim Davidson
    Hannah
  • Heather Jeong
    Umma
  • Creatives

  • Mel Page
    Designer
    image description

    Mel is a set and costume designer. Costume designs for Belvoir St Theatre include: Japser Jones, Ivanov, Kill The Messenger, Seventeen, Nora, The Glass Menagerie, A Christmas Carol, Elektra/Orestes, The Government Inspector, Hamlet, Angels In America, & Strange Interlude. Set & Costume designs include: Taste Of Honey, Enemy Of The People, Back At The Dojo, Medea and Small & Tired. […]

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  • Kate Baldwin
    Lighting Designer
    image description

    Kate Baldwin is a disabled, Japanese-Australian lighting designer, who lives and works on the lands of the Gadigal and Wangal people of the Eora Nation. Since graduating from NIDA in 2019, some of her credits as Lighting Designer include: Forgetting Tim Minchin (25A); Girl Band (National Theatre of Parramatta and New Ghosts Theatre Company); Lose […]

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  • Brendon Boney
    Composer & Sound Designer
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    Brendon’s work includes At What Cost?, Belvior Theatre, The 7 Stages of Grieving, The Sydney Theatre Company- (Design Associate), Black Ties, Illbijerri Theatre- Musical Director & Composer, Winyanboga Yurringa, Black Cockatoo, Dubboo, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Gods of Wheat Street (ABC1), Redfern Now (SBS), Offspring (Network 10), Winners & Losers (Seven Network), Underbelly Chopper (The Nine […]

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  • James Stibilj
    Design Associate
  • Andrew Undi Lee
    Development Associate
  • Sherydan Simson
    Production Manager
  • Jen Jackson
    Stage Manager
    image description

    Jen Jackson (she/her) is a Korean-Australian stage manager, living and working on Gadigal land, with a particular passion for new Australian work and a commitment to diversity in theatre. After attending UNSW in a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theatre & Performance, she continued her studies at NIDA with a degree in Technical Theatre & […]

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  • Geita Goarin
    Production Assistant