East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theatre of color and the largest producing organization of Asian Pacific American artistic work, celebrates RADIANT, its 51st Anniversary season with the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. Recognizing the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft, the gala fundraiser takes place on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Hilton Universal City. Proceeds benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs.
The first two honorees are:
Actor, producer and writer Ken Jeong, known for his scene stealing abilities, has established himself as one of today’s top comedic stars. In 2009, Jeong appeared as the Asian mobster “Mr. Chow” in the sleeper-hit comedy The Hangover, which earned him 3 Teen Choice Nominations and an MTV Movie Award. Since his feature film debut playing the doctor in Knocked Up in 2007, Jeong has gone on to a number of memorable roles in a series of successful comedies, including Role Models, the DUFF, and recently in Universal’s Ride Along 2. Jeong’s career path started off on a different course, earning his undergraduate degree at Duke University and his medical degree at the University of North Carolina. In television, Jeong can be seen starring on ABC’s Dr. Ken, which he also created, writes, and is an Executive Producer. Jeong spends a lot of his off time volunteering with Stand Up 2 Cancer, which is a cause very dear to his heart. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and twin daughters.
Randall Park, actor, and writer, is one of the freshest and most in-demand actors in Hollywood with his extraordinarily diverse skill set and wide-ranging background in both film and television. Park currently stars in the groundbreaking ABC sitcom, Fresh Off the Boat, as Louis Huang, the patriarch of a Taiwanese family adjusting to a new life in Orlando after moving from Washington DC in the 1990’s. The show is currently in its third season. He will also appear in the upcoming 20th Century Fox film Snatched starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn, premiering on Mothers Day.
“East West Players is so proud to be recognizing Randall and Ken. They have raised the visibility of Asian Americans not only through their work in front of the camera, but also behind the camera as well,” says Snehal Desai, EWP Artistic Director. “They are truly talented artists who have consistently made us laugh through the memorable characters they have brought to life both on TV and film. They are also two of the most generous and kind artists we count as members of the EWP community and we are honored to be recognizing them and their efforts.”
Current major sponsors (as of March 20, 2017) of the gala include: PLATINUM CIRCLE: ABC Disney. GOLD CIRCLE: Wells Fargo. BRONZE CIRCLE – Randall & Mari Tamura, Lynn Waggoner, Nielsen. COPPER CIRCLE: Snehal Desai & Friends, Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theater. More honorees and additional information will be released shortly.
Gala Committee Members include: Co-Chair Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chair Peter Shimamoto, Ken Katsumoto, Jay Kim, Carrie Lee, David Lee, Ed Lew, Judy Sasaki, Randall Tamura, and Lynn Waggoner.
Honorary Committee Members Include: Jon M. Chu, Wenda Fong, Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, Jeff Imada, Melvin Mar, Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu, George & Brad Takei, and Janet Yang.
East West Players’ 51st Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Hilton Universal City, 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608. VIP Reception for Premium Circle sponsors starts at 5:30pm. Silent auction and no-host cocktails start at 6pm. The dinner and awards show begins at 7pm.
Individual tickets are $200- $1,500. Full table sponsorship packages are also available. For more information please contact Development Manager Monika Ramnath at mramnath@eastwestplayers.org or (213) 625-7000 x17. For more information about East West Players, please visit www.eastwestplayers.org.
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