Northwest Asian American Theatre announces the NEW Youth Corps program

A continuation of NWAAT's 26 years of commitment to the future of theatre artists, presenters, and supporters.

"This program was developed as a reaction to my own personal experiences," says NWAAT's artistic director, Chil Kong. "When I first started my career, my parents denied it, my friends joked about it, and the mainstream theatre world had very few roles available for an Asian American male actor. There seemed little reason for me to become an artists and every reason to quit.

"It wasn't until three years later at my first professional show when I met Mr. Soon Teck Oh. One of the first Korean American actors to "make it" in Hollywood, I was working with him! But more than that, I met an AA man who was successful in this industry, a man who supported what I did, and understood the difficulties. He graciously took me under his wing and gave me hope. Seven years later, I look back at that time and realize that Mr. Oh placed me under a two-month intensive. He trained me, by simply working with me and allowing me to work with him.

"This very simple premise was the key, giving young Asian American Artists and Theatre supporters the opportunity to work, learn, and embrace themselves through the support of a successful Asian American Artist. That tutelage system is what we are trying to replicate here at NWAAT. By selecting up to 6 future members of the theatre community a year, NWAAT hopes to give support, nurture talent, discover other skills, and create a lasting bond between the present and the future. It is, in a small way, providing a system of big brothers and sisters, providing heroes and laying a foundation for dreams."

This program hopes to provide an outlet for those dreams and the opportunity to develop their voice. It is about providing access to young individuals with professionals who have made an impact in the arts. Providing young Asian Americans the opportunity to work with artists who understand their perspective, their needs, and, well, simply understand.

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