“We are not here to fill in “a much needed” niche or gap in the theatre community. We do it because we believe in good theatre. We produce the works we do because they are not only “important” or “relevant” but also because they’re beautiful and dramatically moving, innovative, exciting and ground-breaking.” - Nina Lee Aquino, Artistic Director
Come Join us at The Canadian Stage Company’s Festival of Ideas & Creation for the launch of
LOVE + RELASIANSHIPS: A Collection of Contemporary Asian-Canadian Drama
Edited by our very own Nina Lee Aquino
Presented by Playwrights Canada Press
Thursday June 25, 2009 @ 6pm (free!)
Berkeley Street Theatres - 26 Berkeley St.
Please click the link for the Official Book Launch eVite anthology-official-evite.pdf
The two volumes of love and relasianships draw from a rich history of Asian-Canadian theatre on stages across the country. The collection delves into both the past and the present to portray a vibrant and growing community of writers. love and relasianships features: Yellow Fever by Rick Shiomi, Bachelor-Man by Winston Christopher Kam, Maggie’s Last Dance by Marty Chan, Mother Tongue by Betty Quan, Noran Bang: The Yellow Room by M.J. Kang, The Plum Tree by Mitch Miyagawa, Yes Yoko Solo by Jean Yoon, Tiger of Malaya by Hiro Kanagawa, Miss Orient(ed) by Nina Lee Aquino and Nadine Villasin, China Doll by Marjorie Chan, Banana Boys by Leon Aureus, and paper SERIES by David Yee.
The Nominations are in Folks!
… and lady in the red dress has garnered 7 Dora Mavor Moore Awards!
Outstanding New Play/Musical - David Yee
Outstanding Production - fu-GEN Asian-Canadian Theatre Company in association with the Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Outstanding Direction - Nina Lee Aquino
Outstanding Performance by a Male - Ins Choi
Outstanding Set Design - Camellia Koo
Outstanding Lighting Design - Michelle Ramsay
Outstanding Sound Design/Composition - Romeo Candido
We’d also like to send out a special congratulations shout-out to our fellow Dora nominees and beloved fu-GENers:
Richard Lee - our esteemed General Manager, for his nomination for: Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Musical for his role of Sun Wukong the Monkey King in The Forbidden Phoenix
Nadine Villasin - the Artistic Director of Carlos Bulosan Theatre Company, for her nomination for: Outstanding Performance by a female in a Principal Role - Musical for her role(s) in The Forbidden Phoenix
Marjorie Chan - playwright and all-around theatre artist extraordinaire for her nomination for: Outstanding New Musical/Opera as the Librettist for Sanctuary Song
It’s a proud day for fu-GEN and all Asian-Canadian Artists
Congratulations to all!
fu-GEN announces new generation
After seven years of artistic leadership, the board of directors of fu-GEN Asian-Canadian Theatre Company announces the departure of current Artistic Director Nina Lee Aquino and the appointment of incoming Interim Artistic Director David Yee.
Nina Lee Aquino has resided as Artistic Director of fu-GEN from their inception in 2002. A co-founder of the company, she has directed fu-GEN’s flagship productions (Banana Boys, Singkil, lady in the red dress) and served as lead dramaturge for the multitude of new plays fu-GEN has fostered over the years. Her commitment and passion for new play development have been instrumental in leading 6 year-long playwriting units for fu-GEN, culminating in the ever popular annual Potluck Festival, an event that has become synonymous with the company’s name. Under her artistic leadership, plays programmed at fu-GEN have garnered 9 Dora nominations, spawned multiple remounts and earned both critical and audience acclaim.
Although Nina is moving on to helm Cahoots Theatre Projects as their new Artistic Director, she will remain at fu-GEN to see through the 09/10 season and transition the company to the new Interim Artistic Director, David Yee.
David Yee is a playwright and actor, born and raised in Toronto. He was formerly the Special Projects Manager for STAF, providing administrative support for independent companies and artists; everything from general management to international touring. He co-founded fu-GEN Theatre Company and was part of the executive team as Associate Artistic Director for 5 years, transitioning to become their playwright-in-residence in 2007. fu-GEN has produced three of David’s plays: filial (2003), paper series (2007) and most recently lady in the red dress. David has also worked extensively with the company as an actor, most notably as part of the Dora nominated cast of Banana Boys. He brings an extensive knowledge of the company’s operation and a vested interest in the community it serves.
Board President Sandra Lefrancois says “We are thrilled to have David on board. His longstanding commitment to fu-GEN makes him the ideal candidate to lead the company’s continued growth and success. He will be inheriting a flourishing organization with a team of dedicated professionals who look forward to many more years of continued artistic innovation under his leadership.”
fu-GEN’s upcoming 09/10 season will feature our popular annual Fire Gala, the return of the Mega Potluck and the inaugural GENesis Asian-Canadian Theatre Conference; welcoming a host of theatre artists and academics from across the nation. Both Nina and David will be working very closely this season to ensure fu-GEN continues its tradition of excellence, while working towards a sustainable future.
Click the link to view a copy of our official Press Release fu-gen AD press release.pdf
