East West Players 47th Gala "Spirited Away"

I have so much fun at my jobs, despite of the crazy hours I put in the office. As East West Players designer, I get to make the promotional art for all their events, including the Spirited Away Gala. Above is the invite I designed with a foil emboss. I'm happy how it all turned out.

In addition to working, volunteering at the gala held at the Hilton in Universal Studios is a must. I got the fun job of working with the VIPs, particularly the artists and the actors/actresses. =)

Everybody was pretty nice. But they assigned me to VIP escort the one person I would possibly lose my shit with and fangirl out- Steven Yeun from "The Walking Dead." In fact, staff kept referring to me and calling me their "Walking Dead Expert" as they asked me questions about Steven's character, Glenn. Yeun was awarded Best Breakout Performance at the Gala and a special performance was dedicated to the honorees with a special song.

I was informed that a lot of it is waiting... and timing. I was given a schedule and I kept my eye on my watch the whole time. 

The ballroom with the lights matching my designs.

What the ballroom looked like on stage.

My friend K and the marketing director who I work closely with. I was not allowed to take pics with my phone because it was unprofessional. However, with Kat having clout, she was able to take a pic with me and Steve. Not before she blasted me and told him how much I was a big fan. haha! He was mad cool and was a very nice guy.

Can't wait for season 4!

Encounter

*Poster and Promo designed by me*

 

East West Players in association with Navarasa Dance Theatre presents
By Aparna Sindhoor, S.M. Raju and Anil NatyavedaMusic by Isaac Thomas KottukapallyDirected & Choreographed by Aparna Sindhoor and Anil Natyaveda
Inspired by a short story by Mahasweta Devi

September 6-October 7, 2012

ENCOUNTER explores different confrontations - with the Divine, the Self, Love and the Military. In association with Navarasa Dance Theater in Massachusetts, ENCOUNTER mesmerized audiences during the National Asian American Theater Festival. It is now brought in its full version, continuing to expand EWP's boundaries to include South Asian voices and multi-disciplinary forms such as Indian dance.

In association with South Asian Network and UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance.

Preview Performances Thursday, September 06 - Sunday, September 09, 2012
Opening Night Wednesday, September 12, 2012, $60 all seats. Includes pre-show hosted bar & post-show reception with cast and crew.

Performance Run:
Wed-Thurs at 8pm Balcony $26/Orchestra $31
Fri-Sat at 8pm Balcony $31/Orchestra $36
Sun at 2pm Balcony $31/Orchestra $36
*$4 per ticket handling fee on all regular ticket purchases.

Student and Senior Discounts $5 off regular ticket price.
Special Group Rates available for ten (10) or more. Call (213) 625-7000 x 20 for details.

Save the Dates:
Pay-What-You-Can Performance Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 8pm.
Post Show Discussion Sunday, September 23, 2012. A chat with the artists after the show.
Southern California Edison Community Night Wednesday, September 19, 2012.
Wine Down Fridays Complimentary glasses of red or white wine before the show, during the regular performance run. (Must be 21+ years of age.)

 

Three Swim Club at East West Players

I had the opportunity to see an amazing play at the East West Players this past Saturday. East West Players is a nationally known theater which features API actors and theater projects. EWP brought back a popular play for it's second year. It has received much accolades from the press as well as theater-goers. 

It's based on the true story about Soichi Sakamoto who trained underserved youth of Maui to become Olympic champions in 1937. The story is told through Hula and rhythm and this story about underdogs overcoming obstacles has inspired me. 

The set design was done smart. Using thin bamboo tied together as a screen, projections were able to set the mood of each scene. 

The story line also has the arching story of WWII, adding to the tension to the main protagonist who is Japanese.  With pressure from his wife/household, the over looming terror of war and the dreams of his students laying squarely on his shoulders, Sakemoto is spread thin and does his best to keep his seams together.

The whole play is spoken in Hawaiian Pidgin English. Listening to the play reminded me of my Grandmother and my family in Hawaii. The actors did a wonderful job committing to their characters, bringing history to life on stage.

This play is a wonderful way to bring Olympian history to life. In a realm where Asians and Pacific Islanders are rarely put to light, Three Year Swim Club reminds us of a time when there were Asian athletes proudly representing America. 

From nothing, they rose. And it all came from a man who thought outside of a box mixed with undying faith, that catapulted these young swimmers into heros of their own town and soon the nation.

Purchase your tickets online here.

or call Box Office at (213) 625-7000 x20.

Director & Choreographer Keo Woolford Talks About THREE YEAR SWIM CLUB

** all pictures courtesy of East West Players.

LA Theater: "A Little Night Music" at the East West Players

**** Extended to June 24 ****

Scroll down to check out the 50% off code.

Because of my many many many friends who work at East West Players, I had the lovely opportunity to check out "A Little Night Music" at East West Players , the nation's premier Asian American theater organization. "A Little Night Music" has a bit of a twist; instead of taking place in Sweden during the turn of the century, this production set the story in Shangai, China. The story and the songs are just as great, only it is presented in a different way.

I have a few friends who work behind the scenes and who are on stage for this production. Make sure to check them out before it ends on June 24th.

The stage is absolutely stunning taking you to an Eastern version of a metropolis. 

It was a strong cast with solid singing. I particularly was moved by Melody Butiu's performance as Desiree Armfeldt, especially when she sang "Bring in the Clowns.

#nightmusicEWP in its final weeks! Call (213) 625-7000 & use code:summernightmusic for 50% off the price of the ticket

Tuesday Night Cafe 2012

Guess who is the co-curator for the visual arts segment of LA's longest running public art event? You guessed it. ME! I have been a long-time resident artist for Tuesday Night Cafe , from being a featured poet, to live painter to now visual arts curator. 

Tuesday Night Cafe happens every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Spring and Summer months, taking place on the outdoor plaza of East West Players. It is wonderful to be onstage, being under the stars and hearing your voice echo in Downtown's building.

Tuesday Night Cafe has provided the space for both emerging and established artists/dancers/musicians/lyricists/vocalists/poets. It also is a gathering where important community and social information can be passed along.

They asked me to be the the first vendor and live painter. 

I painted for about 1.5 hours and managed to sell a few pieces in the meantime. It was wonderful to see everybody come out for the first show of the season!

More pictures to come!

Live painting: April 3rd, 2012

My 1 year old niece Spitty helping me paint as I hold her =)