10 Facts About Melvyn Escueta

Melvyn Danguilan Escueta was a Filipino-American playwright who is best known as the author of the play Honey Bucket.

Melvyn Escueta was among the founders of the Asian American Theater Company, a non-profit theatre performance company based in San Francisco.

Melvyn Danguilan Escueta was born in Manila, Philippines on January 26,1945, to mother Adoracion "Aida" Danguilan and grew up in San Francisco.

Melvyn Escueta's father, Abelardo Escueta, was a guerrilla fighter in World War II.

From 1965 to 1971, Escueta served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Melvyn Escueta was stationed at the American embassy in Paris during the negotiations that ended the war.

In 1973, Melvyn Escueta founded the Asian American Theater Company with fellow playwright Frank Chin.

Melvyn Escueta himself stated that "Honey Bucket" reflected his own experiences in Vietnam, stating, "I worked through Vietnam through this play and I know that other people can begin to work through it ".

Melvyn Escueta worked as a social worker, counseling incarcerated veterans, and taught both history and economics at San Francisco's Galileo Academy of Science and Technology.

Melvyn Escueta died suddenly on May 8,1999, while attending Galileo Academy's senior prom with his wife.