'BOYLE HEIGHTS' RESIDENCY REPORT
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UPCOMING:

WELLESLEY, MA

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

Wellesley College

Performance

Thurs. February 11

Jewitt Auditorium- 7:30PM

Dan will bundle up warm and head back east to perform the newest version of IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN.


PHILADELPHIA, PA

Artists Exchange Festival 2010

Produced by Asian Arts Initiative

PERFORMANCE: Sat. Mar. 27, 8PM

Dan performs 30" of excerpts from IG2BA. With Catzie Vilayphonh of YELLOW RAGE.

WORKSHOP: March 29 - April 3

Dan facilitates a workshop for a terrific group of artists from across the country! The group performs Saturday April 3rd.

For details:

www.asianartsinitiative.org

(215) 557-0455



MINI-REPORTS

SANTA MONICA, CA.

Miles Playhouse

December 5 & 6, 2009: Dan had the pleasure of performing with longtime friend and colleague Jude Narita (and poet Elizabeth Iannacci). Good to be reminded how brilliant Jude's work is!


SOUTH KOREA

Residency:

Gyeonggi Creation Center

Ansan, Gyeonggi Province

Oct. 29 - Nov. 24, 2009: Dan spent a month at this brand new international arts center on Seongam Island, a rural area 40 miles SW of Seoul. He was part of a group of 24 international artists conducting researching for future art projects focused on community issues.

While there, Dan also created a site-specific installation piece in the form of a small-scale baseball diamond, dedicated to the boys who died at this location during WWII.

Hopefully Dan will be returning to GCC in Fall of 2010 to teach a 12-week autobiographical performance workshop!


JAPAN

Lecture/Workshop Tour

AICHI PREFECTURAL UNIV., Nagoya

October 14, 2009: Dan facilitated an introductory workshop on autobiographical writing & performance.

October 15, 2009: Dan gave a video/lecture presentation for the British & American Studies Dept. With a fully professional translator, wow!

Residency sponsored by the Cultural Symbiosis Research Institute of Aichi Prefectural Univ. Coordinated by Prof. Mizuho Murayama.

**************

KYOTO SANGYO UNIVERSITY, Kyoto

October 16, 2009: Dan screened video & lectured on his work, with focus on Hybrid Identity and other pithy topics...

Coordinated by Prof. Kyoko N. Nozaki

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KOBE UNIVERSITY, Kobe

October 21, 2009: Workshop on "effective social/academic communications" for graduate students.

October 22, 2009: Autobiographical writing & performing workshop for undergrad students.

October 22, 2009: Dan screened video and lectured on IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN.

Coordinated by Prof. Hideyuki Yamamoto

**************

COMPARATIVE CULTURAL HISTORY OF MASCULINITY SYMPOSIUM, Osaka

October 24, 2009: Dan talked about his workshop approach & demonstrated some of his teaching methodology.

Dan was also on a panel, talking about Asian American masculinity and screening video clips of his work on the topic.

Sponsored by Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Gender Studies Project led by Prof. Miho Mitsunari, Setsunan University. Additional support from the Asian American Literature Association and the American Drama Association of Japan.

SPECIAL THANKS TO PROF. HIDEYUKI YAMAMOTO OF KOBE UNIVERSITY FOR MAKING THIS ENTIRE TOUR POSSIBLE!


PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Touching All Bases: A Baseball Celebration

PASADENA CENTRAL LIBRARY

October 9, 2009: As part of ArtNight Pasadena, the Baseball Reliquary and Pasadena Public Library presented Touching All Bases: A Baseball Celebration. This multi-cultural, multi-generational evening incorporated visual art, music, performance, literature, and moving image media to provide new insights into America’s national pastime.

Secrets of the Samurai Centerfielder

On the 20th anniversary of his ground-breaking performance Secrets of the Samurai Centerfielder, Dan performed a monologue from the show.

Dodgertown

A funny yet deeply-moving story about being a devoted follower of the home team, including Kwong's childhood technique for getting into Dodger games for free, his perspective on professional sports as a mind-numbing substance, and a stunning vision at Chavez Ravine.


OXFORD, OHIO

Miami University of Ohio

Baker University Center Theater

A SLICE OF RICE, FRIJOLES & GREENS

October 1, 2009: Dan performed an excerpt from IG2BA (Classroom Patriots) plus "Station Wagons of Life" as part of Great Leap's touring show. Dan performed with his longtime friends & colleagues, CHIC STREETMAN and PAULINA SAHAGUN.


WELLESLEY, MA

Wellesley College

Lecture

September 23, 2009: Dan talked about his work in Prof. Elena Creef's class on "Elvis Presley & 50s America".


PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Providence College

Performance: Slavin Student Ctr.

September 24, 2009: Dan performed various excerpts including "Birth Interview", Station Wagons of Life", plus selections from IG2BA.

September 25, 2009: Dan facilitated an introductory workshop on autobiographical writing for performance.

This residency sponsored by the Asian American Association, Board of Multicultural Student Affairs, and Students Organized Against Racism.


CALIFORNIA

The World's Youngest Poet

Sylvia White Gallery, Ventura

September 4, 2009: Dan reprised his intellectual baby, reciting selections from his latest book "Passions of a Breastfeeder". Complete with spouting political rhetoric (and baby poop) for a jam-packed house. Assisted by the most fetching wet-nurse ever, Allura Lee.


CALIFORNIA

Collaboratory VII: "The Blue Marble"

The Electric Lodge, Venice

Performed by Porschia Baker, Manny Baldenegro, Caroline Chang, Claire Day, Maya Gingery, Joyce Lee, Angela Salgado.

Directed by DK, assisted by Young-Ae Park.

August 30, 2009: Great Leap presented the latest works-in-progress created in their mentorship program for developing the next generation of artist-leaders in Los Angeles. Collab VII was focused on "caring for the environment".

Collaboratory participants spent six weeks experiencing field trips to environmental and arts organizations, meetings with mentors from the local arts community, master classes with guest teachers, and workshops with Dan and Young-Ae practicing collaboration techniques. The last two weeks were focused on the creation of works for this presentation at Electric Lodge, a solar-powered performing arts center.

This program was presented as Electric Lodge’s 2009 “Green Piece”, their annual project devoted to combining the arts and the environment.


CALIFORNIA

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

Torrance Cultural Arts Center

May 27, 2009: Dan performed his newest show for a packed house at the George Nakano Theater in Torrance.

Presented as part of the "Whose Story Now?" series curated by John Powers, presented in association with the Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American National Museum, Japanese American Historical Society, JACCC, and more.


WISCONSIN

Lecture/Demo:

From Inner Worlds

University of Wisconsin, Madison

February 23, 2009: Dan gave a 90 minute talk with video screening, plus mini-performance excerpt about his latest work. Dan was hosted locally by the wonderful Li-Chiao-Ping and her husband Doug Rosenberg.


WISCONSIN

Performance:

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

Beloit College, Wilson Theater

February 26, 2009: Dan performed the full show for the good folks at Beloit, and taught an introductory workshop on autobiographical writing & performing for the Theater Department.


ILLINOIS

Lecture/Video presentation:

From Inner Worlds

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

February 26, 2009: Dan visited his beloved alma mater to screen video and talk about his latest work. Hosted by the Visiting Artists Performance Seminar series.


CALIFORNIA

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

Los Angeles Theater Center

November 14-16, 2008: This production featured new choreography, spiffed up video sequences, and a definite post-election kick!

Part of LATC's "Face Of The World Festival".


CALIFORNIA

Be Like Water

East West Players Theater, Los Angeles

Directed by Chris Tashima

Sept 17-Oct 12, 2008: Dan's new play had its world premiere!

"Dan Kwong has penned a powerful, emotive, yet at times playful tale..." ~ Rafu Shimpo

"The beauty of "Be Like Water" is that it's about families like yours that struggle with identity, racism and insurmountable family expectations. It's about your heartbreak and strength." ~ Pacific Citizen

"Kwong can still deliver a roundhouse kick to the emotions." ~ L.A. Times

"...Hayashida and Sun Lee deftly handle playwright Kwong’s venerable skill in writing monologues that forward story line while allowing character depth." ~ View From A Loft

"Playwright Dan Kwong reveals an ability to adapt the huge issues (racism, mother-daughter stalemates, application of ancient wisdom) to living-room scale. He balances these disparate dimensions so that the expansiveness, danger and instruction of unseen story are just as active as the day-to-day trials of his familar characters." ~ Theater Times

Synopsis:

Chicago, 1978. Disco rules. It's been 5 years since the tragic and untimely death of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.

Tracy Fong is a 13-year old tomboy who has become a street-fighting, ass-kicking, gung-fu/Bruce Lee-fanatic. Her best friend at school happens to be named Bruce Lee - but he's a scrawny little nerd who loves disco dancing as much as Tracy despises it.

While Dad plays it cool, Mom pressures their daughter to be more of a "normal" girl.

As Tracy squares off against a nasty bully, her overbearing mother, and the dreaded annual disco dance, along comes the Ghost of Bruce Lee (in a glass of water!) to help Tracy on her journey.

Produced by EWP in association with Cedar Grove Onstage.


CALIFORNIA

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

HIGHWAYS, Santa Monica

Co-directed by Shishir Kurup

July 10-13, 2008: Dan premiered his first full-length solo performance in 9 years!


MINNESOTA

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

2nd Natl Asian American Theater Conference Mixed Blood Theater, Minneapolis

June 5-7, 2008: Kwong performed a 10 minute excerpt from his new work as part of the Writer/ Performer Showcase, and also sat on a couple panels at the Conference: "Surviving as a Solo Artist" and "Shaping the Remix", the latter which included discussion of the Collaboratory mentorship program he has been directing for Great Leap since 2005.


JAPAN

Performance as Self-Expression/Realization

Kobe University, Japan

May 8, 2008: On Dan's second visit to Kobe U. he gave a lecture to faculty and students on his teaching methods and philosophy, and taught an introductory performance workshop.

Sponsored by Kobe U's Prof. Hideyuki Yamamoto and the Innovative Ethics Research Project, Faculty of Letters.


CALIFORNIA

From Inner Worlds

Cal State University Northridge

March 12, 2008: Dan performed excerpts from his book as part of the CSUN multicultural program.


CALIFORNIA

Collaboratory V: "Leaps of Faith"

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, Los Angeles

March 8,9 2008: Led by Project Director Dan and Co-Facilitators Young-Ae Park and Nobuko Miyamoto, ten artists worked together for 7 weeks visiting various religious/spiritual centers in Los Angeles, meeting with local mentors/elders/ “wisdom-keepers”, experiencing master classes with guest teachers, and sharing their own personal stories of faith with each other.

They combined autobiographical material along with historical and contemporary sources in a highly collaborative approach, addressing questions such as: How can multi-dimensional religious identities live side by side? How do we navigate religious conflicts with intelligence and compassion? How can we create progressive and respectful visions for the future?

One of our most successful Collaboratory residencies ever!


 

 

 

 

NOW BOOKING:

IT'S GREAT 2B AMERICAN

IT’S GREAT 2B AMERICAN is a funny, fierce, highly political piece inspired by Kwong's recent travels in Asia. In this darkly humorous search for an American identity beyond arrogance, denial and guilt, Dan confronts the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde within the Yankee psyche: from champion of democracy to imperialist bully.

Along the way, Dan inspects the carry-on baggage that comes with a U.S. passport and Asian face; the irony of being “oppressed minority” at home yet a privileged citizen of the great global powerhouse.

IG2BA is equal parts documentary travelogue, satirical dance review, irreverent history lesson, and poignant storytelling.

From the Japanese American internment camps of WWII to the secret American bombing of Cambodia to tourist shopping in Bali to the events of September 11th, IG2BA is a timely, hard-hitting work that boldly and humorously speaks to America’s place in the world -- its checkered past, troubled present and hopeful future.

VIDEO CLIPS:

excerpt: Unilateral Culture Exchange

 

excerpt: Classroom Patriots 

 

excerpts: Letters from an American + Preachin' to the Choir

 

excerpts: Passport to Conquest + Navy Blue & Gold

 

excerpt: In Cambodia

excerpt: Cognitive Dissonance

 

excerpts: Laos + Dance of The Big Stick

 

excerpts: Land of Smiles + The Abu Ghraib Masked Ball



MINI-REPORTS (cont)

NEW HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS

Sleeping With Strangers

Bowker Auditorium, UMass, Amherst

February 8, 2008: Kwong & Peng presented their critically-acclaimed blend of performance art and Chinese opera to a full house. sponsored by the UMass Asian Studies Department. Two days later they taught workshops and performed for Derryfield School in nearby Manchester, New Hampshire.


JAPAN

Being Naked without Being Nude

Kobe University, Japan

December 13, 2007: Dan gave a video presentation and lecture about his autobiographical performance work for students at the Faculty of Letters. Students found the provocative title utterly confusing...


WASHINGTON

From Inner Worlds

Whitman College, Walla Walla WA

August 26-September 29, 2007: Dan guest-taught a very successful intensive course on Autobiographical Writing & Performing for the Theater Department of Whitman College. A remarkably talented group of students presented their solo pieces to full-houses as the opening production of the Whitman Theater Department's season.


CALIFORNIA

Collaboratory IV:
"Third Stone"

FarmLab, Los Angeles

July-August, 2007: Dan and Young-Ae Park facilitated a free 8-week residency for emerging artists-of-color interested in collaborative performance and community leadership. The theme for this round was "caring for the environment".

The residency included field trips to various cultural centers in communities of color, guest teachers, and seminars with community elders, mentors, and wisdom-keepers.

Collaboratory IV culminated in a weekend of performances created by participants, directed by Kwong and Park, and hosted by FarmLab, a progressive organization in downtown L.A. which is dedicated to finding new ways to bring the urban environment more in harmony with nature.


PUBLICATION:

A History of Asian American Theatre

Recently published by Cambridge University Press, this is the definitive book on the subject, written by Esther Kim Lee, Asst. Professor of Theatre at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana.

It acknowledges the significance of Kwong's body of work within a larger historical context of Asian American theater, spanning from 1965 to 2006.

Quote from the book:

"Dan Kwong empowers the Asian American identity and challenges American identity by telling stories of his life. And he has inspired others to use his workshop techniques to continue breaking the cycle of silence of Asian American men and women."

(ISBN-13-978-0-521-85051-3)

(The book also features a photo of Dan performing at Highways. Photo credit should be: Marcel Schaap.)


OKLAHOMA

Sleeping With Strangers

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

March 2007: Dan & Peng performed their critically-acclaimed collaboration to a packed audience for New Genre XIV, the innovative arts festival in Tulsa produced by Living Arts of Tulsa. They really know how to treat artists right over there...


CALIFORNIA

Sleeping With Strangers

HIGHWAYS, Santa Monica

February 2006: The successful world premiere of this multidisciplinary collaboration with traditional Chinese opera artist Peng Jingquan from Beijing, China. Receiving rave reviews, the show also toured to Duke University NC, New York University, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA.

An outrageous blend of Chinese opera (real and fake), Western drama, multimedia, puppetry, slapstick, poetry and storytelling, "Sleeping With Strangers" shares the highs and lows of international relations between China and the U.S., between fathers and sons, and between friends.


PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Sleeping With Strangers

Nordica TC/G, Kunming

September 2005: A work-in-progress version of Kwong & Peng's collaboration was presented in this very cool Swedish(!) experimental gallery/performance space in the city of Kunming. The eclectic audience - Chinese college students, European ex-patriots, and a handful of locals who wandered in not knowing what the heck was going to happen - all seemed to appreciate it...


CAMBODIA:

The Mekong Project Phase II

Phnom Penh; Siem Reap; Battambang

November 2004: Returning to SE Asia, Dan again helped facilitate this international residency. The Mekong Project brought together 14 artists from China, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and the U.S. Traveling together for 3 weeks in Cambodia, the project visited Siem Riep (site of famed Angkor Wat and many other spectacular temples) and Battambang before culminating in a weekend of performances in Phnom Penh. A very successful project!


CANADA

A.T.H.E. Conference

Toronto, Ontario

July 30-31, 2004: The annual conference for the Assoc. for Theatre in Higher Education included hundreds of academics and practitioners from across the continent and beyond. Dan performed, taught a workshop, was part of a panel discussion, participated in an interview and did a book-signing session - all in 2 days...


U.S.A.

From Inner Worlds to Outer Space

Book Release Show

HIGHWAYS, Santa Monica

July 22-24, 2004: To celebrate the publication of his new book, Dan performed a medley of pieces from his repertoire at Highways Performance Space. Featuring excerpts from the book, the performance marked Dan's reunion with his brilliant director, Christine Sang. All went exceptionally well with the exception of a costume malfunction that made Janet Jackson's look tame in comparison.


INDONESIA

The Art of Rice

Pengosekan, Ubud, Bali

August 2003: Dan returned to Bali, Indonesia to complete work on The Art of Rice. This international collaborative multidisciplinary multi-media performance featured eleven outstanding artists from China, India, Burma, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Dominican Republic and the U.S. all working together to create a performance about that humble life-sustaining grain.

After a month in Bali developing the show, the group traveled to Hawaii and performed on three different islands. It made its L.A. premiere to full houses at the Japan America Theater, Pomona College and UCLA. Dan had the opportunity to practice Balinese shadow puppetry and 'topeng' (mask) performance. It was a wonderfully intense experience with lots of very fast collaboration and creation.


CALIFORNIA

Rite of Passage

HIGHWAYS, Santa Monica

May 10, 2003: Dan had his head shaved onstage as part of Highways' 14th Birthday Celebration. Assisted by performers Bennett Schneider and Pete Lee, Kwong sat stoically as audience members donated $10 each to come onstage and snip off a lock of his hair. Meanwhile a videotape was projected showing emails Dan received, cheering him on to dome-hood, along with photos of Dan from age 3 months to present, sporting all manner of hairdos.

Audience-barbers received groovy certificates of participation. Final shaving of the Kwong-Dome was executed by Pete, to the strains of Also Sprach Zarathustra. The ritual raised over $500 for Highways.


THAILAND, LAOS

The Mekong Project Phase I

Chiang Mai; Louang Prabang

March 2003: Dan was a Co-Facilitator on this 3-week residency in northern Thailand and Laos, helping artists and staff work together successfully. The Mekong Project was a multi-year project funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and administered by Dance Theater Workshop in NY, to develop resources for Southeast Asian artists in the Mekong region.

Highlight of the residency was a 4-day boat ride down the Mekong River to Louang Prabang, Laos which inspired the creation of a new solo performance, "On The Mekong".


Boyle Heights Residency


Read a thoughtful recap of Dan’s performance residency in conjunction with Great Leap as part of the Japanese American National Museum's January 2003 exhibition Boyle Heights: The Power Of Place.

> CLICK HERE <



GOOD NEWS!

Award From JAHSSC

April 9, 2005: The Japanese American Historical Society of Southern California honored Dan for outstanding contributions to Japanese American history and culture at a lovely banquet event. Also honored that evening were videographers John Esaki and Amy Kato, and traditional dancer Sumako Azuma.

Award From LACAD

April 27, 2005: The Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department announced the recipients of its COLA grant for mid-career artists, and Dan was among the group. The award resulted in the creation of a new performance presented in May 2006 at Barnsdall Gallery Theater (see above).

Award From CCF

June 30, 2004: The California Community Foundation announced recipients of its individual fellowships for "Outstanding Mid-Career Artists" (at least 15 years of professional experience). From 300 applicants, 5 California artists were selected for this highly-competitive fellowship. Recipients were Enrique Celaya, Karen Kimmel, Rika Ohara, Eloy Torrez and DK. Congratulations to all the winners!

   

CONTENTS ©2003 DAN KWONG / van der steur design