June 2001

  • Gomolvilas wins Pen Center Award:
    Prince Gomolvilas has just won the "PEN Center USA West 2001 Literary Award for Drama" for his play, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. He will receive a cash prize of $1000, and the play will be published by Dramatic Publishing Company. Winners in all categories of the PEN Literary Awards will be honored at a ceremony at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles in October 2001.

    THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING focuses on seven Asian Americans (Thai, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese)who gather atop a Las Vegas wedding chapel every week for a UFO watch. One particular weekend brings about profound changes in all their lives when the impossible becomes a reality. This comedy--which explores the politics of race, identity, and faith--won both the International Herald Tribune/SRT Playwriting Competition and the Julie Harris Playwright Award Competition. It premiered at Singapore Repertory Theatre in Singapore and East West Players in Los Angeles in the Fall of 2000. It will be presented by Asian Stories In America (ASIA) Theatre in Arlington (VA) in the Fall of 2001.

    PEN Center USA West, a literary and human rights organization affiliated with International PEN, sponsors this unique regional literary awards competition to recognize outstanding works published or produced by writers who live in the western United States. Winners are selected in ten categories--from fiction to poetry, drama to journalism, screenplay to nonfiction. Winners are chosen by panels of judges comprised of writers, editors, critics, and booksellers. Previous winners include Barbara Kingsolver, Nicholas Kazan, Maxine Hong Kingston, Richard Reeves, Callie Khouri, Pete Dexter, Robert Schenkkam, Cameron Crowe, Charles Fuller, Cherrie Moraga, and Michael Tolkin.
  • East West Players announces 2001-2002 season
    East West Players, the country's oldest and largest Asian Pacific Islander performing arts organization, announces its 36th Anniversary Season...
  • Deadline soon for DHH Writers Institute
    Don't forget, the Summer/Fall session of the Writers Institute begins next month, and...perhaps more urgently...the deadline for scholarship applications is THIS Friday (June 22)....

May 2001

  • Tidbit:
    A year ago, David Henry Hwang's new adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1958 musical Flower Drum Song was announced for the slot at the Ahmanson now occupied by 3hree. After its planned Ahmanson appearance, Flower Drum Song was slated to tour to San Francisco and Singapore, ending up on Broadway. Later in the year, however, financing from Singapore fell through, and the production was canceled when not enough money could be raised in time to continue with the original plan.
    The show, about a Chinese refugee in San Francisco's quickly changing Chinatown and her New World romance, will be reconceived for the Taper (Oct. 14-Dec. 2). Although the cast size will not be drastically slashed, the orchestra will be reduced from 18 in a pit to six onstage musicians, Davidson said. Unlike the previous plan, which came with co-producers, this will be a Taper production, with only "a little enhancement money from interested parties," Davidson said, declining to name the parties. No other engagements of this production will be scheduled, at least for now.
  • hereandnow presents a retrospective...
  • East West celebrates 35...
    East West Players (EWP) celebrated its milestone 35th Anniversary on May 14, 2001 with a black tie gala at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites...
  • East West Summer Intensive set...
    Six week intensive program beginning July 9th through August 18th.

    Classes are held five days a week, Monday thru Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Classes include: Dance, Fundamentals of Acting, Tai Chi Chuan, Scene Study, Musical Theater, Improvisation, Speech & Cold Reading/Audition. Fridays include an informal Q&A with working professionals in the industry.

    Cost: $900.00, plus $25.00 one time registration fee. Total - $925.00
    Dates: Monday, July 9th thru Sat., August 18th.
    For more information, contact Marilyn Tokuda at 213/625-7000 ext. .28.
  • Tidbit! (Revised)
    NWAAT's season for 2001-2002

    PORCELAIN* JUNE 2001
    Winner of the London Fringe Award for Best Play, PORCELAIN is a gritty examination of a young Chinese man's crime of passion written by playwright Chay Yew (A LANGUAGE OF THEIR OWN).
    GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! JUNE 2001
    A special late-night cabaret celebrating American music divas by local drag Chanteuse Arnaldo Innocentes!
    STRAIGHT (The Black Box) JULY 2001
    Local performer David Schmader returns with his critically acclaimed, witty and provocative show about conversion therapy.
    POINTLESS SEPTEMBER 2001
    Alec Mapa. (star of sitcom SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS) returns to NWAAT with a new and wickedly funny solo show about love, life and celebrities.
    CHINA DOLL OCTOBER 2001
    The rich story of forgotten Asian film star, Anna May Wong, by Elizabeth Wong (LETTERS TO A STUDENT REVOLUTIONARY).
    PULP VIXENS TIE LESBIAN NUTCRACKER (The Black Box) DECEMBER 2001
    Local camp queens Pulp Vixens in their new holiday extravaganza!
    DRIVE BY CHIGNON (Me Black Box) FEBRUARY 2002
    Award-winning performer Luis Alfaro takes us on a magical journey about growing up Chicano in East L.A.
    WAVE MARCH 2002
    We open our THREE MEDEAS TRILOGY with playwright Sung Rno's (CLEVELAND RAINING) Korean American adaptation of the classic MEDEA.
    AMERICAN MEDEA (The Black Box) APRIL 2002
    Noted playwright Silas Jones' African American interpretation of the
    Greek tragedy.
    THE HUNGRY WOMAN (The Black Box) MAY 2002
    Critically acclaimed playwright Cherrie Moraga's play brings an exciting and innovative Mexican twist in this finale to the Medea trilogy.
    INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS PROGRAM APRIL 2002
    NWAAT'S acclaimed international program presents Malaysian choreographer and dancer Lee Swee Keong and Seattle-based experimental composer and performer Byron Au Yong for the world premiere of their multimedia, multidisciplinary collaboration.
    OUTFEST (Me Black Box) JUNE 2002
    NWAAT'S premiere festival of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender performers.
  • Tidbit!
    Catch a glimpse of a woman you’ll never forget. Read Ceilidh’s diary at:
    http://www.asianamericantheater.org

    Asian American Theater Company presents
    in association with the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center’s United States of Asian America Theater Festival 2001
    The world premiere of
    The Clouds, the Ocean and Everything in Between
    By Michael P. Premsrirat (of the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors)
    Directed by Pamela A. Wu
    May 11 - June 10, 2001, Special Benefit Performance May 17
    New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom Street, SF
    For more information, point your browser to http://www.asianamericantheater.org.

April 2001

  • Tidbit!
    From the LA Times....
    The L.A. engagement of David Henry Hwang's rewrite of Flower Drum Song is now targeted for the Mark Taper Forum instead of its larger sister theater, the Ahmanson, according to production sources. However, a Taper spokesman said the show has not yet been scheduled. The production had been slated for the Ahmanson this spring but was canceled because of fund-raising and scheduling problems.
  • Call for Indian American plays
    The Indo-American Arts Council and The Lark Theatre Company will jointly host an Indian-American Playwrights Festival November 8th-11th, 2001....
  • The schedule for 2Tongues in the spring...
  • Note!
    Fresh from a tour of Taiwan, Making Tracks returns to Village Theatre, Issaquah, WA for its Mainstage debut. Developed in the 2000 Village Originals Series, Making Tracks has undergone numerous changes since its Issaquah developmental production. The show has already been embraced by tens of thousands of people across the US and Taiwan. The concept and book of this rousing and passionate new rock musical are by Welly Yang, with book and lyrics by Village Theatre's Associate Artistic Director, Brian Yorkey, and music by Woody Pak.  Making Tracks follows a young Asian-American as he journeys through six generations of his family's history. Summoned to his dying grandfather's bedside, Dylan Lin discovers the legacy of his immigrant ancestors: from the building of the railroads in the 1860s, to the World War II internment of Japanese Americans, to the pioneers of the Internet, their dreams and struggles help him understand his own. Making Tracks will open on the Mainstage in Issaquah on March 14, 2002, and in Everett on April 26, 2002.

March 2001

  • East West to present...
    East West Players, the premier Asian Pacific Islander theatre in the country, presents AN AFTERNOON WITH DAVID HENRY HWANG...
  • JACCC presents Fresh Tracks...
  • Bulletin
    EDDIE SHIN, will be introduced as "HENRY" on the critically acclaimed new dramatic series, Gilmore Girls, this Thursday (3/15) on the WB network, 8 pm Pacific and 7 in the Midwest. Check local listings!! He'll begin his recurring role as a new love interest. It's a great show (fun writing and great acting) and a refreshing role because it presents a very positive portrayal of Asian-American young men--intelligent, and respectful, while interesting, fun and sexy. In any case, talk it up and check it out. WB is also gonna do a feature on him on their website, www.thewb.com, after the episode airs (probably will go up Thurs./Friday). So please log on and show support by posting a message or sending some mail, and share your thoughts. Support Asian-American visibility in the media, especially when it's such a positive role as this
    Shameless plug #2: For those of you in the Chicago-land region, you can check out Eddie's raw chops as Song Liling in what will be a phenomenal production of David Henry Hwang's M.Butterfly, which will go up mid-April.
  • Audition in Seattle!
    SIS Productions, the producers of SEX IN SEATTLE, a new episodic theatre show about the lives and loves of 4 contemporary Asian American women, will be holding auditions for Asian and Asian American male actors ages 20 - 40 to appear in upcoming episodes. Auditions will be held at the Theatre Off Jackson -
    409 7th Ave. South - on:

    Thursday March 15 from 6:30 - 7pm
    Thursday March 22 from 6:30 - 7pm

    The audition will consist of a cold reading. A monologue and/or song no longer than 3 minutes (total), is optional. Reserve an audition time by calling: 206-784-2154 or by emailing: sexinseattle@excite.com

    To learn more about SEX IN SEATTLE, attend the world premiere of Episode One: Deceptions & Reflections, which is showing at the Theatre Off Jackson:
    3/9 - 3/24
    Thursdays at 8pm
    Fridays & Saturdays at 10:30pm
    with additional show times on:
    Friday 3/23 at 8pm (and 10:30pm)
    Saturday 3/24 at 8pm (and 10:30pm)

    Or, visit us on the web at: www.sexinseattle.org
  • Lodestone presents A Dirty Secret Between the Toes
    Lodestone Theatre Ensemble presents the world premiere of A DIRTY SECRET BETWEEN THE TOES, by Annette Lee. This hilarious comedy is a follow-up to the successful production of AMERICAN MONSTERS.
  • Malaysian play premieres
  • AATC issues casting call, searchers for designers

February 2001

January 2001

  • East West presents Asian American classic
    Frank Chin’s epic drama, “The Year of the Dragon,” directed by Mako will once again grace the stage at East West Players...
  • Workshop presented in NYC
    Taught by Ernest Abuba.
  • AATC presents another 12 minute new play contest
    In honor of Chinese New Year...
  • Casting call!
    Mariposa Films Exec.
    "Through Passing"
    16MM/Sync Sound
    UCLA Grad. Film

    Producer: Chishan Lin
    Writer/Director: Chishan Lin
    Shooting Days: Tentative-March 8-11(Days vary for each role)
    Location: Los Angeles
    Rate: Credits, Copy, Meals.

    Pics and Resume To: Chishan Lin
    Mariposa Films
    3633 Veteran Ave
    Apt #3
    Los Angeles CA 90034

    NOTE: THIS FILM IS ONLY SEEKING ASIAN AMERICAN ACTORS

    STORY LINE:
    A young woman revisits a profoundly difficult moment from her childhood that has impacted her entire life, and heals it through movement.

    (TIEN TIEN) 6-10 years old. Intuitive, intelligent. Has strong ability to communicate without words. She witnesses the suffering of her mother. LEAD

    (TIEN TIEN GROWN UP) Mid 20's, grown up version of the lead role. Must have dance or movement background and a strong sense of expression herself through movements. Through movements, she revisits the traumatic event she remembers from her childhood. LEAD
    (Note: Must be prepared to present a choreographed dance piece and/or a video copy of a dance performance)

    (SUSAN) Mid 30's, she is strong willed and a loving mother. She is a waitress by profession. . She suffers from a terminal illness and is at the last stage of her life. COSTAR

    (JOHNNY) Late 30's, Susan's husband. He is a waiter by profession. He is also a compassionate and loving husband and father. He is in a great state of suffering because of his wife's illness. COSTAR

    (GLORIA) Early 30's, Susan's sister. She is amiable, and has a mild temper. Very close to Susan. She has a middle class background. COSTAR

    (SHUKI) early 40's, Susan's older sister. She is very domineering, assertive. She has a middle-upper class background. COSTAR

    (JIM) late 30's, Gloria's husband. He is quiet and reserve. He is accompanying Gloria on a visit to see Susan. COSTAR

    (YANG YUAN) Mid 60's, Johnny's father. Bossy, talkative, has a really good relationship with Susan. COSTAR
  • Pan Asian presents Rashomon
    A samaurai and his wife encounter a bandit in a bamboo forest. There is a killing and three different versions are given in court...
  • Free workshops for CA artists
    FINALLY, the place for you to tell your untold story! From the Laotian Elvis, to the born again Indio, from the bad ass kick-boxing Hapa hula dancer to the OG Gangsta sippin soy chai latte, to every tale in between or never mentioned. Open to all artists of color of at any level of performance experience. Through exploratory performance games and exercises, you will discover your artistic voice and develop your own style. You will also be exposed to collective creation techniques. Together we will create an ensemble performance that will breakdown the boundaries and borders between our communities and re-tell history from the eyes of our ancestors. Bring in 30 seconds of something you are working on (it could be a poem, song or monologue etc.)

    Saturdays 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (February 10 to April 28)

    FREE performance workshops taught by California Arts Council Artist in Residence and California Community Foundation Performing Arts Brody Fellow Leilani Chan.
  • East West presents Spring 2001 Conservatory
  • Note
    Peter Nguyen, who managed many of the Screen Actors Guild events during the six-month strike against advertisers, has been named to an executive post in SAG's affirmative action department.

    Nguyen has been a consultant and contract campaign organizer in SAG's special projects department in the union's Los Angeles headquarters for the past year. He was responsible for organizing rallies, demonstrations and town hall meetings during the union's work stoppage.

    Nguyen also repped SAG on several panels that focused on diversity issues.
    In his new position, Nguyen's primary function will be enforcement of the non-discrimination portions of SAG contracts. He also will handle education and development of performers and the industry on affirmative action and diversity issues.
  • News (and lots of it) from the East West writing program
    Including the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute and other programs...
  • 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors premieres new show
    The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, an Asian Pacific Islander American comedy theater group, present My Own Private Sukiprata...
  • East West presents Frank Chin's Year of the Dragon
    Just in time, too, before the year of the Snake begins...
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Copyright 2002, Roger W. Tang

Questions? Email gwangung@u.washington.edu