Tim Dang Honored

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, celebrates CULTURE SHOCK, its 53rd 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 15, 2019 at the Hilton Universal City. Proceeds benefit East West Players’ educational and artistic programs.

This year EWP will honor:

Tim Dang, EWP Producing Artistic Director Emeritus, is the recipient of the Society of Directors and Choreographers’ Zelda Fichandler Award for transforming the regional theatre arts landscape through theatre. He is Co-Chair of the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative (CEII) Advisory Committee of the LA County Board of Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission. For 23 years, he was Producing Artistic Director of East West Players, establishing lasting partnerships with television networks, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit arts and community organizations. Dang has produced and directed over 100 plays and musicals at EWP, Pan Asian Repertory (NY), Geva Theater Center (NY), Perseverance Theatre (AK), Mark Taper Forum New Works Festival (CA), Sierra Madre Playhouse (CA), West Coast Ensemble (CA), Celebration Theatre (CA), Asian American Theatre Company (CA) and Singapore Repertory Theatre. He is an adjunct lecturer in directing at the USC’s School of Dramatic Arts and directed productions of the musical Evita and Kentucky, guiding the next generation of artists into the performing arts.

“East West Players is thrilled to recognize the incredible legacy and work of Tim Dang,” says EWP Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai. “Tim’s artistic and professional accomplishments have been pivotal in raising the visibility of Asian Americans. During his remarkable 23-year tenure as Producing Artistic Director, he transformed East West Players into a national leader in the field, recognized for not only our artistic work but also for our programs that champion for equity in the arts. Tim’s work has left an indelible mark, and it’s a privilege to name him as the first honoree of our 2019 Visionary Awards.”

Leading EWP’s Gala Committee are Co-Chairs Daniel M. Mayeda and Peter Shimamoto. More honorees and additional information will be released shortly.

East West Players’ 53rd Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 at the Hilton Universal City, 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, CA 91608. VIP Reception, silent auction, and no-host cocktails starts at 5:30pm. The dinner and awards show begins at 7pm.

Individual tickets are $250- $1,500. Full table sponsorship packages are also available. For more information please visit eastwestplayers.org, or contact East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or galaguests@eastwestplayers.org.

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, was founded in 1965, at a time when Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) faced limited or no opportunities to see their experiences reflected outside of stereotypical and demeaning caricatures in the American landscape. EWP not only ensures that API stories are told, but works to increase access, inclusion, and representation in the economy.