Cheese and Other Oddities

[Andreas Fabis]

NEW ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS GROUP PRESENTS FULL LINEUP OF ORIGINAL WORKS APRIL 13, 14, 20, 21 AT SALVAGE VANGUARD THEATER

Includes the theatrical debut of “Cheese” by Irwin Tang, in addition to films and improv performance art by local Asian American artists, performed by Asian American actors

The non-profit Asian American Arts Collective (AAAC) launched in 2011 with a mission to promote original works by artists of Asian descent or works about the Asian American experience. The goal is to provide a consistent outlet for Asian American expression.

“As a producer/actor in the Austin community for over five years, I have collaborated with many Austin artists including Asian Americans. But there has never been a consistent outlet for Asian American performance artists to showcase their work and to provide mutual support. We want our stories told. We want a place to do it. This is the place,” said AAAC founder Leng Wong. Wong is a producer and actor active in the local theater and improv scene.

The first project of AAAC is to present a performance art showcase: Lucky Chaos, whose motto is to “Create Art, Create Identity, Create Possibilities.”

Lucky Chaos kicks off on April 13, 14, 20 and 21 with five original works at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. All works are written and/or directed by Asian Americans and nine of the ten performers are Asian American.

“Cheese” by Irwin Tang. A funny and touching play about a Chinese-American family dealing with generational differences, flashbacks from World War II illustrate the parents’ stories.

“Forgotten Trail” by Sharanya Rao. A reflective and melancholy play about a South Asian woman who finds a tricycle during a volunteer clean-up session at Town Lake. This triggers memories from her own life.

“Clay,” by Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar. A short film about letting go, narrated through a South Asian American’s lens. Beautiful visuals. Work-in-progress.

“Post Racial,” by Tim Tsai. A short film about a screenwriter dogged down by political correctness. Viewers see the writer’s story continually being reworked on screen to make it more politically correct to the point of ridiculousness.

“Love, Chaos” a series of improvisational works conceived and directed by Leng Wong. Performed by the LC Ensemble, exploring identity and self-expression. Every performance will have different outcomes, depending on the performers.

While these works all express something unique about the Asian American experience, they can also be appreciated for their universal messages of family, childhood, love, loss, culture, identity and self-expression.

“The reason why I’m in the entertainment business is to challenge perceptions on what it’s like to be an Asian American,” Wong said.

Lucky Chaos is just one of several projects Wong has planned for the Asian American Arts Collective. Future plans include musical and visual arts projects in addition to performance art.

“Cheese and Other Oddities” will be performed at Salvage Vanguard Theater Friday and Saturday evenings, April 13 to 21. For details and tickets, visit www.luckychaos.com.

CALENDAR LISTING
“Cheese and Other Oddities,” a night of Asian American theater and film
Friday and Saturday evenings, April 13, 14, 20 and 21: 8pm
Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
Featuring the debut of “Cheese,” a new play by Irwin Tang, “Forgotten Trail,” a play by Sharanya Rao, films by Sushma Khadepaun-Parmar and Tim Tsai, plus a series of original improv works by Leng Wong.
General admission, $15; Student, $10; Group (set of 10, 30% off), $100. For details and tickets, visit www.luckychaos.com

ABOUT THE ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS COLLECTIVE
The Asian American Arts Collective (AAAC) was founded by Austin producer/actor Leng Wong and officially incorporated as a non-profit in 2011. Lucky Chaos Theater is a project of the AAAC. AAAC and Lucky Chaos’ mission is to promote original works by artists of Asian descent or works about the Asian American experience, especially in performance and visual arts. www.luckychaos.com