The actors are part of the Vietnam-American Theatre Exchange program touring the Western states under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Sallie Mae Fund in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

The grant, Shakespeare in American Communities, allows for productions, educational activities and workshops throughout the United States.

"This is the largest tour of Shakespeare in American history," said Tim Slaughter, director of Community Service for the University of Hawai'i Outreach College, a sponsor.

In Hawai'i the actors have held workshops, skits and plays all week. A public bilingual production by Artist Repertory Theatre of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" takes place at 7:30 tonight at Hawai'i Theatre.

At He'eia the actors, speaking mostly in Vietnamese, worked with the students who said they had no trouble understanding the plot. The children from Richard MacPherson's gifted and talented performing arts class followed with their version taking their cue from the pros.

In the scene Pyramus and Thisbe meet on opposite sides of a wall, declare their love and promise to meet at Ninus' tomb later in the evening. Damon Kupper, an American actor, directed the youths, prompting them to express their feelings for one another and praise each other's virtues.

Lawrence Thomas, a third-grader playing Pyramus, said "she's nice." Sailor Solley, a third-grader, responded with "my true love" to great applause from the audience.

Thomas admitted later he had more in his mind to say but was reluctant. "I didn't want to embarrass myself because I really like that girl," he said.

The workshop was a hit. The students later wanted to know such things as how much the actors were paid and whether they made up their own plays.

Grant Zukeran, a fourth-grader, said he learned that you just have to face your fears when you go in front of an audience. Inspired by the performance, Zukeran said he would like to continue his acting classes.

"It inspired me about the love part," he said. "It's really, really difficult."

The actors said the interaction allowed them to learn more about their young audience.

"We don't know this country so knowing the school, knowing the children is like for us a cultural learning curve," said Tuan Minh through an interpreter. "It's not only the performance to see how they react, but also to see what children in schools in America are like. For us it's a cultural visit."

The cultural exchange went both ways as the Vietnamese actors introduced the cheo and tuong style of acting that will be woven into tonight's performance, said Lorelle Browning.

Browning and her husband, Marvin Simmons, a Vietnam veteran, initiated the Vietnam-American Theatre Exchange nearly 10 years ago to help heal wounds from the Vietnam War. Browning soon learned that while she wanted to share her knowledge of Shakespeare with the Vietnamese, they had developed their own interpretations and had a lot to teach her.

"I believe theater has a way of transcending politics and ideology," Browning said. "When we're all experiencing some sort of art form together, there's a oneness and understanding that transcends all those linguistic, cultural, ideological barriers."

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com. or 234-5266.