Lia Chang: Christine Lin, Henry Godinez and Liz Griffiths Receive Halcyon Theatre’s 2013 Iris Awards

On Friday, March 8, 2013, the Halcyon Theatre Company honored actor Christine Lin; Henry Godinez, resident artistic associate at Goodman Theatre and the curator of the Latino Theatre Festival; and Liz Griffiths, immediate past Director of North River Commission’s (NRC) two economic development affiliates, the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR) and the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il. The benefit raised more than $42,000.

Christine Lin was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts by Halcyon Theatre co-founders Jenn and Tony Adams, who is also the Artistic Director, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il, on March 8, 2013. Photo by Kan Chou

Christine Lin, an actor, improvisor and engineering consultant, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, and began her affiliation with Halcyon in 2008 as an Artistic Associate, appearing in the Company’s productions of Caridad Svich’s Iphigenia…(a rave fable), Tony Adam’s Trickster, and Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories. She also directed Astrid Saalbach’s The Blessed Child in 2009′s Alcyone Festival. She has been a company and board member since 2011.

Eric Lin and his daughter Christine Lin, who was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities, at Night of Flight, Halcyon Theatre’s first major fundraiser at Architectural Artifacts in Chicago, Il, on March 8, 2013. Photo by Kan Chou

It was a glorious evening for Ms. Lin, who was presented with The Iris Award for connecting Chicago’s communities and arts by Halcyon Theatre co-founders Jenn and Tony Adams, who is also the Artistic Director. Weichen Lin and Eric Lina, Ms. Lin’s parents, along with many close Chicago-based and New York-based friends, were on hand to celebrate.

Ms. Lin shared, “I was delighted when Tony shared my first audition and production with Halcyon resulting in my first production in Chicago. And then I was surprised and so very moved by Jenn reading what David Henry Hwang wrote about me. I was touched by the support and love I felt in the room – not only from Halcyon and our company but also from the many wonderful friends and supporters of theater in Chicago in the room. I realized that though the Iris Award is for commitment to connecting Chicago communities and art, it is really the art that has connected me to my wide-reaching community of wonderful friends and colleagues who so generously support and appreciate art. Art brings people together, and Halcyon makes it possible for so many by practicing what they believe in color-blind casting and producing untold stories that bring awareness of and bridges gaps between people of different cultures. The evening was more wonderful than I could have imagined and I am so grateful for Halcyon.”

Ms. Lin, who currently resides in New York City, made her Broadway debut as Miss Zhao in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at the Longacre Theatre, after its world premiere at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Below are excerpts from Hwang’s congratulatory message.

Broadway Chinglish castmembers Johnny Wu, Christine Lin, playwright David Henry Hwang, Jennifer Lim, Angela Lin and Larry Lei Zhang at Ruby Foo's Dim Sum Sushi Palace in New York on January 20, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Hi Christine! We were in pre-production for Chinglish at the Goodman, when I heard that this theatre called Halcyon had gotten a grant or something specifically to do a show with this amazing Asian American actress. I was like, “Really? When was the last time I heard of something like that happening? Like, never!” Then you came in to audition for Chinglish, and Leigh Silverman and I were smart enough to know blazing talent when we saw it. You became an invaluable part of that show, then when I saw you all warrior-woman and bad-ass in Soul Samurai at Infusion, I not only respected your talent, but was scared of you too. Which in some ways is even better.

“When it became clear we were going to Broadway, there was never any question but that we were going to ask you along. You made our show so much better, and I guess we changed your life too. You are a rock-solid talent, whip-smart, and noble of spirit. I look forward to our next artistic journey together. Congratulations, Christine. Although NYC has you now, I have a feeling that a big part of your heart still belongs to Chicago, and to Halcyon. Love, David

Miss Lin’s other regional credits include Dewdrop in Qui Nguyen’s Soul Samurai (InFusion Theatre), Miyoko in Braden LuBell’s Days of Late (SiNNERMAN Ensemble), Cinderella in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (PM&L Theatre), understudying Bea in Naomi Iizuka’s Ghostwritten (Goodman Theatre), and The Chinese Woman in a staged reading of Lauren Yee’s Ching Chong Chinaman (Silk Road Rising). She is also an alum of Asian-American sketch comedy group Stir-Friday Night! and wrote and performed in three reviews: Bubble Tea Party!, Rock Out With Your Wok Out!, and Horry Kow, That’s Lacist! On screen, Ms. Lin has been featured on “Gossip Girl,” NBC’s “Deception,” indie dramas Big Words and Blowtorch, and as Pimp Lucius’ blind escort in R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” series. Training: Steppenwolf West ensemble intensive, Upright Citizens Brigade (New York), Second City Training Center Improv Conservatory (Chicago), and Duke University – BSE degree in electrical and biomedical engineering. www.christine2lin.com

Other articles by Lia Chang:
CHINGLISH Celebrates 100th Performance on January 5, 2012 – Meet David Henry Hwang & his Cast at the Lin Sing Association in NY Chinatown
Chinglish is Named in TIME Magazine’s Top 10 of the Year; Meet the Cast at Talkbacks after Select Performances in December
David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish Takes Home to 2 Jeff Awards
The ‘Chinglish’ Broadway Journal: Week 7 (Nov. 1, 2011)
Photos: Backstage with the Cast of Chinglish and David Henry Hwang at the Longacre Theatre
The ‘Chinglish’ Broadway Journal: Week 6 (Oct. 25, 2011)
Broadwaysbestshows.com: Learning to Speak Chinglish w/ David Henry Hwang (#14)
David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish Begins Previews at the Longacre Theatre on 10/11
Photos: All-Access Pass to August Wilson’s Two Trains Running with John Earl Jelks, Harvy Blanks,Chuck Cooper, Anthony Chisholm, Owiso Odera, Roslyn Ruff and James A. Williams
Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre Extends through April 28, 2013
NAATCO Presents A Dream Play at Here, March 22 – April 13, 2013
Signature Theatre’s 2013-14 Season Features New Works by Albee, Hwang, Enos, Taylor, Wilson, Clarke and Jacobs-Jenkins
Signature Theatre’s Revival of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Set for Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China, May 9-12, 2013
Photos: David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Opening Night
Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2013 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

David Henry Hwang and FOX Entertainment Japan’s Dan Smith Among Judges for 2013 72-Hour Shootout; Pre-Shootout Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

New York, NY, March 22, 2013 — The Asian American Film Lab – (“Film Lab”), a non-profit working to increase diversity initiatives in film and television, is pleased to announce that Dan Smith, producer for FOX Entertainment Japan, Nicole Kassell and David Henry Hwang, the American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter who has risen to prominence as the preeminent Asian American dramatist in the U.S., will be among the judges of the 2013 72-Hour Shootout – competition (the “Shootout”). Returning judge, Marci Phillips, Executive Director of Casting for ABC, will also be on the panel, among others!

The Film Lab has launched a series of events geared towards preparing registrants for successful participation in the Film Lab’s annual, high-profile, global filmmaking competition (http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.org/72-Hour-Shootout.html). The Shootout, now in its ninth year, has inspired hundreds of diverse filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.

The Film Lab’s Shootout events will kick off on Thursday, April 11, 2013, when Erik Lu, Asian American Film Lab Board member and the founder of the Philadelphia production company Descendant Films, will be leading a hands-on, interactive workshop for 72-Hour Shootout participants entitled: ” A Live Working 72-Hour Shootout Set Workshop.”

This special, intensive Shootout workshop will include a crew member from each major department (producing, directing, cinematography, etc) conducting a mock 72-Hour Shootout with commentary from each department head. Participants will be “shooting” a scene during the workshop.

Film Lab Board member, Erik Lu, advised, “[E]xpect it to be a live set and every 5 minutes or so, we will give our suggestions, and at the very end, we will field questions. It’s going to move fast, and it’s going to be dense with information. We’ll have a short scene prepared for a couple of actors before you arrive, and guinea pig a random person from the audience, someone who is okay with being picked on, to direct it with our crew members listed below. We are going to make it very difficult for that person, but we are going to do our best to serve the director’s vision and make the scene the best we can with the zero budget resources we’ve got. That’s the focus — How do we work as a crew to tell the best story we can with practically no money? And everyone who attends can observe and participate, and if they’d like, also be on their feet with us.”

Particularly encouraged to attend are actors and writers who have not engaged in the technical aspect of filmmaking before and who wish to participate in the Shootout. In the workshop, Erik and his team will guide attendees through common pitfalls and explain the basic guidelines needed to create a successful Shootout film.

This workshop will take place in New York City. Those registered for the Shootout who do not live in New York City will have the option of obtaining written materials from the workshop. Because of the intimate, hands-on nature of this event, space is limited and RSVPs are required. To RSVP, please email David Dennis at Shootout@film-lab.org.

Pre-Shootout events will also include a Build-Your-Team Networking Party on May 16th at the Official Shootout Party Venue, THE WHITE RABBIT, and various online networking opportunities. For more information, people may contact the 2013 Shootout Coordinator at Shootout@film-lab.org .

Additional upcoming Film Lab events include a staged reading and workshop of Raymond Yeung’s screenplay, “Yellow Fever,” at 6pm on April 4, 2013, in New York City. Raymond Yeung’s short film, RUB, was previously featured in the Asian American Film Lab. He is best known for his first feature film, CUT SLEEVE BOYS, which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival 2006. The film won Best Feature at the Outfest Fusion Festival in Los Angeles, and earned a Best Actor Award at the Madrid Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. This romantic comedy was sold to twelve territories worldwide and had cinematic releases in Thailand, Taiwan, and in various cities across the United States. The DVD was launched in November 2007 and the film was broadcast on television on both Here! and Logo networks. Time Out, New York reviewed CUT SLEEVE BOYS as a “fun, rare look at Gay Asian life with refreshing insights into various queer subtleties, from the difference between cross-dressing and trans to the details of being a circuit queen.” Most recently, Ray was selected to participate in 2013 Berlin Film Festival Talent Campus Script Station. Actors include Adenike Thomas, Siying Chen, Austin Ku, Graham Powell, Jennifer Betit-Yen, and Perry Tsao. Please email info@film-lab.org for more information and to RSVP.

About Dan Smith
Smith’s entertainment career began while serving in the United States Air Force, where he worked in print media and edited and published many of the Air Force’s newspapers. Following his service, Smith turned to broadcast media, where he contributed news, entertainment and sports features through such diverse agencies as Associated Press Television News and BET Nightly News. His foray into producing started with the creation of ACTV, a community channel that started with local programming for U.S. military bases in Japan and quickly turned into producing original content for broadcast in Japan, the U.S., and Europe. Among his early successes was the self-hosted reality show Black Life In Japan, which became a global cult favorite and earned him an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Smith then developed the entertainment program Access E, which aired in Japan and on several U.S. cable networks.

After producing the acclaimed one-hour documentary Fandemonium — Chasing Michael Jackson (Shirarezaru Nanoka Kan) for Fox Television, Smith went on to create the hit weekly entertainment show Fox Backstage Pass, which recently filmed its 200th episode. Smith currently produces original programming for the Fox Television, Fox Movies Premium, Fox Sports and National Geographic channels in Japan.

About David Henry Hwang
DAVID HENRY HWANG was awarded the 1988 Tony -Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and John Gassner Awards for his Broadway debut, M. Butterfly, which was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His play Golden Child, which premiered at South Coast Repertory, received a 1998 Tony – nomination and a 1997 OBIE Award. His new book for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song earned him his third Tony – nomination in 2003. Yellow Face won a 2008 OBIE Award for Playwriting and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent work, Chinglish, won a 2011 Chicago Jeff Award before moving to Broadway, where it received a 2012 Drama Desk Nomination. Other plays include FOB (1981 OBIE Award), The Dance and the Railroad (1982 Drama Desk Nomination), Family Devotions (1982 Drama Desk Nomination), The Sound of a Voice and Bondage. He co-authored the book for Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, which ran almost five years on Broadway, and was the bookwriter of Disney’s Tarzan, with songs by Phil Collins. As America’s most-produced living opera librettist, he has written four works with composer Philip Glass, as well as Osvaldo Golijov’s Ainadamar (two 2007 Grammy Awards), Bright Sheng’s The Silver River (1997), and Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland (2007 “World Premiere of the Year” by Opernwelt Magazine). Hwang penned the feature films M. Butterfly, Golden Gate, and Possession (co-writer), and co-wrote the song “Solo” with composer/performer Prince. He won the 2011 PEN/Laura Pels Award for a Master American Dramatist, the 2012 Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre, the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, and is a 2013 US Artists Donnelly Fellow. He is currently the Residency One playwright at New York’s Signature Theatre Company, which has recently revived two of his earlier plays, and will premiere his newest work, Kung Fu, in 2013-14.

About Asian American Film Lab and the 72-Hour Shootout
The Asian American Film Lab (Film Lab) began in 1998 as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals were to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience, and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists, and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television. The Lab now runs monthly programs to promote gender and ethnic diversity in film and television.

The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen. Board members include screenwriter and director, Aaron Woolfolk, actor James Kyson Lee, actress and director Bea Soong, producer Erik Lu, attorney Peyton Worley, and advisors cinematographer, Eric Lin, and Director of Asian CineVision, John Woo.

The Film Lab’s programming includes filmmaking workshops with industry professionals, screenwriting contests, and film competitions, including the annual 72-Hour Film Shootout (the “Shootout”). This annual competition, now in its ninth year, has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.

The Shootout is a high-profile worldwide short film competition where filmmaking teams have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and produce short digital films up to five minutes in length and based on a common theme. The Shootout theme will be announced May 31, 2013, at a launch party in New York City and simultaneously on the internet. The Shootout will culminate on July 27, 2013, with a theatrical screening of the top ten finalists, an awards presentation, and a wrap party. 2013 will be the 9th year Asian CineVision will partner with FilmLab to promote the Shootout at the 36th annual Asian American International Film Festival (“AAIFF”). AAIFF is New York’s leading festival for independent Asian and Asian American film and video, and the first and longest-running U.S. festival of its kind.

As an integral part of AAIFF, the Shootout celebrates the creativity and genius of the directors, their casts and crews as they share stories by, about and for Asian Americans and other filmmakers of color with the world. AAIFF has played a vital role in discovering and nurturing such acclaimed talent as Wayne Wang (THE JOY LUCK CLUB), Ang Lee (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN), Mira Nair (THE NAMESAKE), Zhang Yimou (HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS), Christine Choy (WHO KILLED VINCENT CHIN?), Steven Okazaki (THE MUSHROOM CLUB), Jessica Yu (PING PONG PLAYA), and Justin Lin (FAST FIVE).

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Membership and a ll contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

http://www.asianamericanfilmlab.org

info@film-lab.org

David Henry Hwang Articles:
Albee, Hwang, Enos, Taylor, Wilson, Clarke and Jacobs-Jenkins Set for Signature Theatre’s 2013-14 Season
Signature Theatre’s Revival of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Set for Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China, May 9-12, 2013
Photos: David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Opening Night at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre extends David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad starring Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu through March 24, 2013
Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu Set for Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad, February 5 – March 17, 2013
Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge Star in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at South Coast Repertory, January 25 – February 24, 2013
Photos: Partying with the Cast of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child; Extended Run Ends December 16, 2012
Signature Theatre’s Production of Golden Child by David Henry Hwang has been extended through December 16, 2012
Greg Watanabe, Julyana Soelistyo and Jennifer Lim Lead the Cast of Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child, October 23-December 2, 2012
David Henry Hwang to Receive the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 5th Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards on October 29, 2012
Berkeley Rep’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, Starring Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge, Extends through October 21, 2012
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
Click here for other articles on David Henry Hwang.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre Extends through April 28, 2013
Orville Mendoza is currently appearing as Sergeant Lombardi in Classic Stage Company’s Passion through April 19, 2013
NAATCO Presents A Dream Play at Here, March 22 – April 13, 2013
Phylicia Rashad to Helm August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum at The Music Center, April 24 – June 9, 2013
Photos: All-Access Pass to August Wilson’s Two Trains Running with John Earl Jelks, Harvy Blanks, Chuck Cooper, Anthony Chisholm, Owiso Odera, Roslyn Ruff and James A. Williams
Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. She is a Signature Theatre alumni who was in the cast of Sam Shepard’s Chicago, during his Signature 1996-1997 Playwright-in-Residence Season.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2013 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Albee, Hwang, Enos, Taylor, Wilson, Clarke and Jacobs-Jenkins Set for Signature Theatre’s 2013-14 Season

Signature Theatre’s 2013-14 season features plays by Edward Albee, David Henry Hwang, Will Eno, Regina Taylor, August Wilson, Martha Clarke and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins at the company’s Frank Gehry-designed Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). All subscriber tickets for the 2013-14 Season are $25 each as part of the Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access. Subscription packages start at just $125.

David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

The Residency One: David Henry Hwang Series continues during the 2013-14 season with the previously announced world premiere of his latest work Kung Fu, directed by Leigh Silverman. Residency One is the continuation of Signature’s core Playwright-in-Residence program that produces a series of plays from the body of work of one accomplished writer.

Signature’s Legacy Program, a homecoming for past Signature Playwrights-in-Residence, will feature the world premiere of Edward Albee’s new play Laying an Egg, directed by David Esbjornson. Signature devoted its 1993-94 Season to Edward Albee, with the world premiere of Fragments, New York premieres of Marriage Play, Counting the Ways and Listening, Sand: Box, The Sandbox, and Finding the Sun. Albee returned to Signature in the 2001-2002 10th Anniversary Season for the presentation of Edward Albee’s Occupant, later also staged in the 2007-2008 Season. His play The Lady from Dubuque was presented at the new Pershing Square Signature Center as part of the Inaugural 2012 season and was extended for three weeks.

Edward Albee. Photo by Lia Chang

The Legacy Program will also include the New York premiere of How I Learned What I Learned by August Wilson. Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who directed Signature’s acclaimed production of Wilson’s The Piano Lesson this fall, will appear in Wilson’s one-man show, with Todd Kreidler directing. Signature’s 2006-07 Season was devoted to the late August Wilson, with productions of his plays Seven Guitars, Two Trains Running and King Hedley II. Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Piano Lesson was presented in the 2012-13 season and was extended for six weeks.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Residency Five is Signature’s newest program, a groundbreaking program that provides a group of playwrights with the full range of Signature’s resources for a period of five years to create and produce new work, and guarantees each playwright a minimum of three world premieres at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Residency Five enables a diverse community of playwrights to build bodies of work, and provides them with a significant cash award, full health benefits and a stipend to attend theatre. Annie Baker, Martha Clarke, Will Eno, Katori Hall, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Kenneth Lonergan and Regina Taylor are the program’s current playwrights.

The 2013-14 Season will feature the previously announced World Premiere of Regina Taylor’s —- and potatoes, which will be directed by the playwright, along with the world premiere of Cheri, conceived, directed and choreographed by Martha Clarke, and new plays from Will Eno, whose Title and Deed was extended for two weeks during Signature’s Inaugural Season at The Pershing Square Signature Center, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

Mare Winningham, James Houghton and Lois Smith at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York for the opening night party of Old Hats, starring Bill Irwin, David Shiner and Nellie McKay, on March 4, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Bill Irwin, Nellie McKay and David Shiner at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York for the opening night party of their show Old Hats on March 4, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Founding Artistic Director James Houghton says “We are thrilled to announce our 2013-2014 season of all-premiere works. The season offers an exciting cross-section of our three Residency programs as we introduce new artists and collaborators and welcome home Signature veterans. It is a rich and rewarding season, and we look forward to sharing it with our growing community here at The Pershing Square Signature Center.”

Signature’s current season continues with The Dance and the Railroad by David Henry Hwang (extended through March 24), Old Hats created and performed by Bill Irwin and David Shiner (extended through May 9) and The Mound Builders by Lanford Wilson, which has been extended through April 14.

Subscriptions to the 2013-14 Season are on sale now by calling the Box Office at 212-244-7529 or visiting www.signaturetheatre.org.

Playwright David Henry Hwang is flanked by his The Dance and The Railroad stars Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang Articles:
Signature Theatre’s Revival of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Set for Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China, May 9-12, 2013
Photos: David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Opening Night at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre extends David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad starring Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu through March 24, 2013
Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu Set for Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad, February 5 – March 17, 2013
Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge Star in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at South Coast Repertory, January 25 – February 24, 2013
Photos: Partying with the Cast of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child; Extended Run Ends December 16, 2012
Signature Theatre’s Production of Golden Child by David Henry Hwang has been extended through December 16, 2012
Greg Watanabe, Julyana Soelistyo and Jennifer Lim Lead the Cast of Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child, October 23-December 2, 2012
David Henry Hwang to Receive the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 5th Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards on October 29, 2012
Berkeley Rep’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, Starring Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge, Extends through October 21, 2012
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
Click here for other articles on David Henry Hwang.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: All-Access Pass to August Wilson’s Two Trains Running with John Earl Jelks, Harvy Blanks, Chuck Cooper, Anthony Chisholm, Owiso Odera, Roslyn Ruff and James A. Williams
Hold These Truths Opening Night at Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s Tenney Theatre with Daniel Dae Kim, Joel de la Fuente and Jeanne Sakata
Ron Domingo, Francis Jue and Jon Norman Schneider Join the Cast of the World Premiere of Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre, February 28 – April 13, 2013
Signature Theatre’s World Premiere of Sam Shepard’s Heartless Starring Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jenny Bacon, Betty Gilpin, and Julianne Nicholson Extends through September 30, 2012
Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. She is a Signature Theatre alumni who was in the cast of Sam Shepard’s Chicago, during his Signature 1996-1997 Playwright-in-Residence Season.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2013 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Signature Theatre’s Revival of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Set for Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China, May 9-12, 2013

Tony award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang just returned from Hong Kong, where the West Coast production of his hit Broadway play Chinglish, starring Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge, played to soldout houses at the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Ruy Iskandar, David Henry Hwang and Yuekun Wu. Photo by Lia Chang

In May, he’ll head back to Asia, when Signature Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Hwang’s play THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD, directed by May Adrales, will have a limited run at The Inaugural Wuzhen Theatre Festival in Wuzhen, China, May 9-12, 2013. The entire production, which features Ruy Iskandar as Ma and Yuekun Wu as Lone, ends its extended run at The Pershing Square Signature Center on March 24, 2013 and will make the transfer. This marks the first time that a play by David Henry Hwang has been performed in mainland China.

The Wuzhen Theatre Festival will be China’s window to the world’s recent theatre. It will also be an incubator for new creative works by young artists on timely subjects. With a generous award system, it will heighten the profile of theatre and take its place as Asia’s premiere theatre festival. The festival will last for ten days and shows will be performed in both brand new theatres and refurbished ancient stages, ready to meet theatre fans from all over the globe. THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD will be performed in the newly restored Ancient Courtyard Theatre.

In response to the announcement, David Henry Hwang said: “Though my plays have been performed in many Asian countries, The Dance and the Railroad will be my first work to be produced in Mainland China, and I am very grateful to the Wuzhen Festival and Signature Theatre for their dedication and hard work in making this possible. Wuzhen sits just outside Shanghai, where my late Father was born and raised. I think my Dad would be very happy to know that the work of his Chinese American son will be coming home at last.”

On a California mountaintop in 1867 near the Transcontinental Railroad, two Chinese workers struggle through poverty and hunger to reconnect with the traditions of their homeland. THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD follows the twice-extended GOLDEN CHILD as the second production in the Residency One: David Henry Hwang Series.

The design team includes Mimi Lien (Scenic Design), Jennifer Moeller (Costume Design), Jiyoun Chang (Lighting Design), Broken Chord (Sound Design), Huang Ruo (Music), Qian Yi (Chinese Opera Consultant), Leah J. Loukas (Wig Design) and Grace Zandarski (Vocal Coach). Casting by Telsey + Company, William Cantler CSA. The production stage manager for the New York production is Cole P. Bonenberger. The production stage manager for the Wuzhen production will be Michael Rico Cohen.

THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD will continue to play through Sunday, March 24 in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

To purchase tickets for all Signature Productions, call the Signature Theatre Box Office (212-244-7529) or visit signaturetheatre.org.

David Henry Hwang Articles:
Photos: David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Opening Night at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre extends David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad starring Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu through March 24, 2013
Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu Set for Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad, February 5 – March 17, 2013
Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge Star in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at South Coast Repertory, January 25 – February 24, 2013
Photos: Partying with the Cast of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child; Extended Run Ends December 16, 2012
Signature Theatre’s Production of Golden Child by David Henry Hwang has been extended through December 16, 2012
Greg Watanabe, Julyana Soelistyo and Jennifer Lim Lead the Cast of Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child, October 23-December 2, 2012
Berkeley Rep’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, Starring Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge, Extends through October 21, 2012
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
Click here for other articles on David Henry Hwang.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
AALDEF Honors Congressman John Lewis, Jose Antonio Vargas, and Simone Wu with 2013 Justice in Action Awards
Hold These Truths Opening Night at Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s Tenney Theatre with Daniel Dae Kim, Joel de la Fuente and Jeanne Sakata
Ron Domingo, Francis Jue and Jon Norman Schneider Join the Cast of the World Premiere of Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre, February 28 – April 13, 2013
Harlem Nights with Lorey Hayes, Actress, Director and Award-Winning Playwright of Power Play and Massinissa
Signature Theatre’s World Premiere of Sam Shepard’s Heartless Starring Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jenny Bacon, Betty Gilpin, and Julianne Nicholson Extends through September 30, 2012
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. She is a Signature Theatre alumni who was in the cast of Sam Shepard’s Chicago, during his Signature 1996-1997 Playwright-in-Residence Season.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2013 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Signature Theatre & Lark Play Development Center Present the Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series, March 15-17, 2013

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) and Lark Play Development Center (John Clinton Eisner, Artistic Director; Michael Robertson, Managing Director) are presenting the Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series, curated by Signature’s Residency One Playwright David Henry Hwang, whose play THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD, directed by May Adrales, opened at Signature on Monday, February 25, 2013 and has been extended until March 24, 2013.

David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

For one week beginning Sunday, March 10, the two theatre companies will host a group of distinguished playwrights, directors, translators, adaptors, and actors who will engage in a cross-cultural dialogue through the development and presentation of English-language versions of four contemporary Chinese plays. The play translations—co-commissioned by the companies—will be presented in readings as part of the translation development process on March 15, 16 and 17 in the Studio Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

A vital component of David Henry Hwang’s residency at Signature, and an extension of Hwang’s many international collaborations at the Lark Play Development Center, the Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series is aimed at exposing U.S. audiences to the diverse, dynamic world of contemporary Chinese playwriting while fostering a conversation between Chinese and U.S. artists.. The four contemporary Chinese plays include:

PLAYING THE VIOLIN
by Wei-Jan Chi, literal translation by Cheng-Han Wu, adaptation by Madeleine George, directed by Daniel Jaquez
Reading on Friday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Summary: The death of Liu San’s best friend starts him on a wild ride through hidden memories and alternate realities.

THE CAPTAIN
by Nick Yu, literal translation and adaptation by Zhao Binghao, directed by Josh Hecht
Reading on Saturday, March 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Summary: Sixty years after being rescued from drowning by the captain of a fishing vessel, a fisherman living with Alzheimer’s receives a mysterious visitor from the sea.

PUNKS’ CARNIVAL
by Meng Jinghui, literal translation by Nick Frisch, adaptation by Lloyd Suh, directed by Victor Maog
Reading on Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Summary: A gritty exploration of Beijing’s underground punk scene, complete with songs and slapstick.

WILD BOAR
by Candace Chong, literal translation by Joanna Lee and Ken Smith, Adaptation by David Henry Hwang, directed by Lisa Peterson
Reading on Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 p.m.
Summary: In a thinly disguised Hong Kong, an editor investigates the disappearance of a socially-conscious historian, and unwittingly lands a role in creating the Perfect City.

The readings are free to the general public and each presentation will be followed by a moderated talkback. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing stcevents@signaturetheatre.org

The Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series is generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Asian Cultural Council.

Signature Theatre Company is a participant in the Global Connections-ON the ROAD program, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the professional not-for-profit American theatre.

David Henry Hwang Articles:
Photos: David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad Opening Night at Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre extends David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad starring Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu through March 24, 2013
Ruy Iskandar and Yuekun Wu Set for Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s The Dance and The Railroad, February 5 – March 17, 2013
Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge Star in David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at South Coast Repertory, January 25 – February 24, 2013
Photos: Partying with the Cast of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child; Extended Run Ends December 16, 2012
Signature Theatre’s Production of Golden Child by David Henry Hwang has been extended through December 16, 2012
Greg Watanabe, Julyana Soelistyo and Jennifer Lim Lead the Cast of Signature Theatre’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child, October 23-December 2, 2012
David Henry Hwang to Receive the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 5th Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards on October 29, 2012
Berkeley Rep’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, Starring Michelle Krusiec and Alex Moggridge, Extends through October 21, 2012
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
Click here for other articles on David Henry Hwang.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
Kenny Endo and Kaoru Watanabe Celebrate New CD, Convergence with Concerts in Washington D.C. on February 27 and in New York on March 5, 2013
Hold These Truths Opening Night at Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s Tenney Theatre with Daniel Dae Kim, Joel de la Fuente and Jeanne Sakata
Ron Domingo, Francis Jue and Jon Norman Schneider Join the Cast of the World Premiere of Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre, February 28 – April 13, 2013
Harlem Nights with Lorey Hayes, Actress, Director and Award-Winning Playwright of Power Play and Massinissa
Signature Theatre’s World Premiere of Sam Shepard’s Heartless Starring Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jenny Bacon, Betty Gilpin, and Julianne Nicholson Extends through September 30, 2012
Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. She is a Signature Theatre alumni who was in the cast of Sam Shepard’s Chicago, during his Signature 1996-1997 Playwright-in-Residence Season.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2012 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com