CHING CHONG CHINAMAN by Lauren Yee receives Canadian Premiere

"Now, open your eyes wide, everyone!"

fu-GEN Theatre Company is proud to present the Canadian premiere of CHING CHONG CHINAMAN by Lauren Yee, directed by Nina Lee Aquino March 12 – 30, 2013 in the Aki Studio Theatre, Daniels Spectrum. At once cheeky and contemporary, CHING CHONG CHINAMAN is a smart, fast-paced ride that examines the Asian North American Dream.

The ultra-assimilated Wong family is as Chinese-American as apple pie: teenager Upton dreams of World of Warcraft superstardom; his sister Desi dreams of early admission to Princeton. Unfortunately, Upton’s chores and homework get in the way of his 24/7 video gaming, and Desi’s math grades don’t fit the AsianAmerican stereotype. Never one to admit or accept failure, Upton comes up with a novel solution for both problems: he acquires a Chinese indentured servant, who harbors an American dream of his own.

Featuring Zoe Doyle, Brenda Kamino, Oliver Koomsatira, Richard Lee, Jane Luk and John Ng, CHING CHONG CHINAMAN is rounded out with a stellar creative team that includes playwright Lauren Yee, director Nina Lee Aquino, and designers Camellia Koo (Shaw Festival), Michelle Ramsay (9 Dora Mavor Moore nominations) Christopher Stanton (The Room) and choreographer Carin Lowerison.

March 12-30, 2013 at the Aki Studio Theatre
Daniels Spectrum at 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Tuesday-Saturday 8pm / Saturday 2pm / Sunday 2pm (PWYC)
Tickets: $15-$28 (includes HST, additional $2.00 per ticket surcharge)

Phone box office hours 10am-6pm MON-FRI 1-800-204-0855
Walk-ups are 1 HOUR before every performance
for online ticket purchases visit www.fu-gen.org

sex tape project Tickets On Sale!

Tickets for sex tape project are now on sale! There are only four shows and seating is extremely limited, so get your tickets before they sell out. Tickets are available online; click here to buy! 

Featuring: Vanessa Smythe & Jeff Yung
Directed By: David Yee 

May 18th-19th, 2012

9pm & 10pm

CSI (Centre for Social Innovation), 215 Spadina Avenue

Tickets $17 (price includes HST)

Binoculars

For our upcoming production of sex tape project (by Adrienne Wong, Donald Woo and David Yee), we are asking for your help to collect 15 pairs of binoculars.  The performance takes place in a hotel in Chinatown with the audience watching the action from across the street. We need binoculars to give our audience a chance to play the voyeur, peeking in to the antics at the Chinatown hotel.

We will take good care of your binoculars and have them returned to you at your convenience after the 19^th of May. Please contact me (jenna@fu-gen.org, 416-920-2828) if you are willing to loan us your binoculars and we can arrange a time for pick up.

Thank you!

Introducing: Nessa Trenton!

A few months ago you may have seen the job posting for a new Administrative Intern here at fu-GEN, thanks to the generous support of the wonderful people at TD Bank Group. We are pleased to say that we have since hired our newest member of staff!

Please welcome the lovely Nessa Trenton!

Half Filipino and half Greek, Nessa joined us in mid-March and has already proven herself to be an amazing addition to our office dynamic. Smart and spunky, Nessa has the kind of laugh that brightens up the room. That, and she's ultra-organized, which helps us keep our act together!

Of her time here so far, Nessa says, "I’m so happy to be working for fu-GEN as their new TD Administrative Intern. I applied for the position because I saw it as a great opportunity to contribute to the development of Asian-Canadian theatre.

"[...] I’ve worked with fu-GEN in the past as an actor and I’m so thrilled to be involved in this new capacity. As I’ve worked with Carlos Bulosan Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, and other non-profit organizations, I’m accustomed to the challenges and particular sensitivity needed to work in such an environment. So what have I been up to so far? Well, I’ve taken over the job of managing all of our space rentals. I’ve also begun working on a complete overhaul of the office, reorganizing and updating various hardcopy and electronic files, as well as assisting with projects we have on the go". I told you she was organized!

Anyway, welcome to fu-GEN, Nessa. We're truly happy to have you here :)

Hey Mr. DJ!

This blog post is third in a series that is profiling our incredible sponsors and talented community members leading up to our Zombie Prom fundraiser on February 25^th. Everyone you see profiled here is dedicated not only to supporting the development of Asian Canadian theatre, but also to building a stronger, truly multicultural Canadian community. fu-GEN certainly would not be the same without the support of these amazing people and organizations.

Today, I want to introduce you to our DJ. Meet Mr. Miquelon Rodriguez (aka Mickey, aka DJ Tronix). His twitter account describes him as "Music, comedy, video games, theatre, and sports all rolled up in a Filipino DJ", and he is second to none when it comes to personality. An outstanding member of the Asian Canadian theatre community, Mickey has been active in the Toronto theatre community since he graduated from York University a few years back. Mickey is multi-talented and has made a name for himself as a sound designer, composer, actor, and playwright. His recent credits include roles in Enter The Shadow (Break It Down) and Shotgun Wedding: The Musical (Carlos Bulosan Theatre), and composing for From Thine Eyes (Native Earth Performing Arts). In fact, Mickey is currently a member of fu-GEN's 9th annual playwriting unit, The Kitchen.

Mickey has been DJing since 1999, but has music in his blood having played piano, guitar and percussion since childhood. He has generously donated his services to fu-GEN and will be dropping beats at our Zombie Prom on Saturday night. You can find him on twitter by following @djtronix.

Tickets for Zombie Prom are still available! Get yours by contacting Jenna at the fu-GEN office. Call 416-920-2828 or e-mail jenna@fu-gen.org.

Royal Elephant

This blog post is second in a series that is profiling our incredible sponsors and talented community members leading up to our Zombie Prom fundraiser on February 25^th. Everyone you see profiled here is dedicated not only to supporting the development of Asian Canadian theatre, but also to building a stronger, truly multicultural Canadian community. fu-GEN certainly would not be the same without the support of these amazing people and organizations.

Royal Elephant Thai Fusion Food is a pretty exceptional Thai food restaurant. Located on Eglinton West at Old Park Road, these guys are providing much of the food for our Zombie Prom. With an extensive menu featuring a variety of authentic Thai food, the Royal Elephant is the real deal. Insiders tell me that their duck curry is the best in the city! Additionally, our contact with Royal Elephant, Lin Chong, is one of the most fantastic people you'll ever meet. She set us up with a great deal on food because she believes in supporting the community. Lin has a history of supporting not-for-profit organizations, and I actually first sampled her food at a charity event! Her support for the community extends beyond not-for-profit organizations, though-- she is dedicated on a very individual level. Lin goes out of her way to show newcomers to this city around and make them feel integrated. One of our fantastic volunteers, Terence Tam, has Lin to thank for properly introducing him to Toronto upon his arrival here a few years back. "She just helps everyone", says Terence. And it is true. Without her help, fu-GEN would have no way of feeding hungry zombies!
So get your tickets and sample Lin's incredible food! You can get them by contacting Jenna Rodgers, Asian Canadian Community Developer: jenna@fu-gen.org, or by calling the fu-GEN office at 416-920-2828.

Barefoot Wine & Bubbly

This blog post is first in a series that is profiling our incredible sponsors and talented community members leading up to our Zombie Prom fundraiser on February 25^th. Everyone you see profiled here is dedicated not only to supporting the development of Asian Canadian theatre, but also to building a stronger, truly multicultural Canadian community. fu-GEN certainly would not be the same without the support of these amazing people and organizations.

Our first amazing organization is Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, the Wine Sponsor for our Zombie Prom. Barefoot Wine & Bubbly is, however, more than just a Wine Sponsor. This company has a history of supporting not-for-profits and charities all across North America. In fact, rather than having a traditional advertising budgets like most companies, Barefoot dedicates it’s advertising budget entirely to not-for-profit organizations. Their mandate is about building connections with the community, rather than selling you a sexy product.

Not to say their product isn’t sexy. Because it is. If you attend the Zombie Prom you will be able to taste their Moscato (both the white and sparkling varieties). This is a deliciously sweet wine with notes of bright citrus, peach and apricot with a hint of tangerine in the sparkling! Grown from Muscat grapes in California, these are not wines to be missed.

Toronto’s “Barefooter” is none other than Wesley Kwong, who you can catch pouring their awesome wine during the Zombie Prom. Wesley is an outstanding individual who has spared no effort in delving head-on into what will hopefully be a long lasting partnership with fu-GEN. In other words, expect to see this guy around. He is a great sport, having promised to dive in to the theatrics of the evening by dressing the part for the evening. While pouring wine, don’t be surprised if Wesley chats you up a bit—because in the true Barefoot spirit, he is here to get to know the fu-GEN community... and maybe make you happier in the process!

Tickets for our fundraiser are still on sale—you can get them by contacting Jenna Rodgers, Asian Canadian Community Developer: jenna@fu-gen.org, or by calling the fu-GEN office at 416-920-2828.

Job Opportunity!

Through the generous support of TD Bank Group, fu-GEN Theatre Company is offering a nine-month Administrative Intern position beginning in March 2012. This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate with a passion for theatre who wants to build a diverse skill set in arts administration through mentorship with Canada's foremost Asian Canadian theatre company. This position offers a valuable training opportunity in a not-for-profit model.

The successful candidate will report directly to the General Manager and the Artistic Director and assist with many aspects of implementing the company's activities of 2012, including special events celebrating fu-GEN's 10th Anniversary Season.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

• Updating headshot and resume files
• Organizing and maintaining company archives
• Networking and liaising with various community partners
• Assistance with marketing and fundraising initiatives
• Attending fu-GEN events and acting as an ambassador for the company
• Support staff for fu-GEN events and fundraisers
• Managing volunteers for various events
• General office duties as assigned

The successful candidate possesses excellent written and oral communication skills; initiative; strong organizational skills; computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel); and is resourceful. A background in the arts is an asset.

This is a part-time position (from March 2012 to December 2012), at $14/hour, approximately 20 hours per week on average. Hours per week will adjust according to the level of activity.

Please submit a cover letter and resume by February 29, 2012 to info@fu-gen.org

Selected candidates will be interviewed beginning in March.

About fu-GEN fu-GEN is a charitable, not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to the development of professional Asian Canadian theatre artists through the production of new and established works. our vision is to be a home for Asian Canadian theatre artists and their work. We exist to make our artists and our stories visible in the theatre community, and the Canadian community at large. In nine years, we have become the premiere producer of Asian Canadian theatre in Canada and have built a reputation of artistic excellence with 17 Dora Mavor Moore nominations.