Asian American Theatermakers in Conversation: Mengtong Guan and Alison Qu

CHUANG Stage presented Asian American Theatermakers in Conversation: Mengtong Guan and Alison Qu livestreamed on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 29 April 2020 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4) / Thursday 30 April 7 a.m (Beijing, GMT+8) / 8 a.m (Tokyo, Seoul, GMT+9).

Mengtong’s work with Ping Pong Arts has bridged China and the world in performing arts. As a producer, she brings artists together and serves the global community through various mediums, including theater, dance, and music. Alison Qu, the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of CHUANG Stage, will be in conversation with Mengtong on how to build and invest in a career as a producer, works that they are excited to globally present, and what it means to be a community arts leader at this special moment of the world.

Mengtong Guan was born in Beijing and received her Bachelor's degrees in English and Fine Arts from Peking University. She was a regular contributor to Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts magazine from 2009 to 2012, concert master of Peking University Symphony Orchestra, and music instructor for “Dean D’art” that works with underserved children in Beijing suburbs to build their self-confidence through theater and music. In 2014 Mengtong was hired as Production Assistant for the China portion of Mark Morris Dance Group’s “Excursions” world tour, and has since then been a full time staff with Ping Pong Productions in China and USA. Mengtong participated in Atelier for Young Festival Managers by European Festival Association in Gwangju 2015, and is an Emerging Leaders of New York Arts Fellow for 2016-17.

Originally from China, Alison Qu is a director, dramaturg and a creative producer. Alison is the inaugural Cutler Creative Producing and Engagement Fellow at ArtsEmerson and the Co-Founder of CHUANG Stage. She is the recipient of 2020 LMDA/KCACTF Region 1 Student Dramaturgy Award. She is expecting a BFA degree from Emerson College in May, 2020.

About the CHUANG at Home Series
We might not be able to see each other in theaters, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to hear from your favorite theatermakers. In this unprecedented time, we want you to be safe, and we also want to keep you smiling and thinking, with folks from your community. We are delving into our curiosity to find voices from other incredible theatermakers in this unexpected moment of the world: what does it mean to be a theatermaker right now, and how do we move forward together as Asian American artists? It’s a lot, and we are here to talk. CHUANG at Home invites audiences and theatermakers to join us for virtual play readings, curated conversation and Zoom watch parties. The Asian American Theatermakers in Conversation series pairs an early-career with an established theatermaker in their discipline, and we invite you to join the conversations to discover insights and momentum to delve into our future work.

About CHUANG Stage
Founded in 2018, CHUANG Stage was the first Mandarin Chinese theater community of Emerson College. Created and operated by passionate and talented individuals from China, we promote transcultural theater, uniting the Mandarin-speaking community of the Greater Boston area by producing theater in Mandarin. In 2020, CHUANG Stage developed into a theater company rooting in Boston, MA, aiming to cultivate Asian American narratives in theater in the Greater Boston area.

CHUANG Stage cultivates and produces stories that empower the Asian American community and bridge the world. Aiming to exemplify Asian American narratives and support Asian American theater talents in the Greater Boston area, CHUANG Stage strives to become an advocate for the community through artistry and creativity. Opening doors for the bilingual community with its emphasis on Mandarin Chinese theater, CHUANG Stage builds bridges and honors transcultural theater in its original language, pushing boundaries and expanding our awareness of the world we live in. Visit us at www.chuangstage.org!

About HowlRound TV

HowlRound TV is a global, commons-based peer produced, open access livestreaming and video archive project stewarded by the nonprofit HowlRound. HowlRound TV is a free and shared resource for live conversations and performances relevant to the world's performing arts and cultural fields. Its mission is to break geographic isolation, promote resource sharing, and to develop our knowledge commons collectively. Participate in a community of peer organizations revolutionizing the flow of information, knowledge, and access in our field by becoming a producer and co-producing with us. Learn more by going to our participate page. For any other queries, email [email protected], or call Vijay Mathew at +1 917.686.3185 Signal/WhatsApp. View the video archive of past events.