East West Players restructures

EAST WEST PLAYERS RESTRUCTURES FOR THE 21st CENTURY

East West Players, the nation's first and foremost Asian Pacific American Theatre in the country, announced today that Al Choy, Associate Director of the Capital Initiatives Department at KCET and current CFO on the Board of East West Players, will be joining EWP as Managing Director starting January 4, 2000. Mr. Choy's extensive experience in fundraising, marketing, and box office management since 1987 makes him an excellent choice to oversee daily operations of the organization, as well as assume the responsibilities as Development Director for fund raising.

At KCET, Mr. Choy spearheaded a $19,000,000 capital fundraising campaign that will convert KCET to the new, federally mandated digital broadcast standard. He has been a stalwart supporter of EWP for over a decade, mopping floors, ushering, selling concessions, running the box office and house, and serving as Marketing Director. Born on Oahu, Hawaii, he learned early that he could not do the hula, sing, or play the ukulele but his appreciation of the arts, particularly live theatre, is unequalled.

Since its unprecedented move to the mid-size David Henry Hwang Theater located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles in March 1998, East West Players has more than doubled in size, including its annual budget and educational and mainstage programs. Currently in its third season at the David Henry Hwang Theater, the organization needs to strengthen its administrative and management capacity for the future. EWP will be celebrating its 35th Anniversary with its 2000-01 Season.

"We are glad to have Al return to East West Players. It's like a family reunion. EWP has changed quite a bit since Al worked at EWP. Al will dramatically take the theatre to another level of operation so that the artistic side of the organization may flourish," said Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of EWP.

Current Development Director Peter Corpus will be leaving EWP at the end of the year to seek new career opportunities. Mr. Corpus was instrumental in the development of EWP corporate sponsorships, including Edison International, American Airlines, Budweiser and Chivas Regal. "We wish Peter the best of luck and we thank him for giving EWP the tools in which we can build upon. With Al Choy as managing director, the organization can envision plans for further expansion."