PLAYWRIGHT HENRY ONG TO DEVELOP LADY WHITE SNAKE CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS PLAY FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS GRANT 

Playwright Henry Ong has been awarded a 2004-2005 City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Artist-in-Residence grant to develop a play for Marlton School, Los Angeles' only day school for the deaf. 

"We are thrilled to have playwright Henry Ong return to our school to work with our staff and students in our drama program," said Nancy Huerta, Marlton's Principal.  Last year, the school produced the well-received "The Old Lady Who Popped Out of the Sidewalk and Became a Christmas Tree," a Christmas fable written by Ong.  Marlton School is located at 4000 Santo Tomas Drive, Los Angeles (Council District 8).

For the 2004-2005 grant, Ong will adapt a popular Chinese folktale "Lady White Snake."  The play will be performed by the school's deaf students in May '05.  In addition to working with staff and students on the play, Ong will introduce Chinese dance, martial arts and tai chi in the play. 

"I am excited about introducing Chinese culture to the students and having them learn these skills," said Ong, a seven-time Cultural Affairs grant recipient. 

Ong is an internationally-produced playwright, whose signature play, "Madame Mao's Memories," based on the life of Chairman Mao's widow, was performed in many U.S. cities, including San Diego at the prestigious Old Globe Theatre.  In addition, it was performed in Singapore, London and Edinburgh.  His other credits include "People Like Me," "Fabric," and "Sweet Karma." 

A member of the Dramatist Guild, the Los Angeles Stage Alliance and the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights, he is the Literary Manager of Playwrights' Arena. 

For more information, call (818) 634-8464.