‘Blue’s Clues’ lola pens new play on AI and the elderly

By WALTER ANG
July 26, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

TORONTO — Filipino Canadian Carolyn Fe's play "Aye Caeser," which touches on elderly loneliness and technology, will be part of the 2024 SummerWorks Festival in August.

Fe is popularly known as the Lola in the children's show "Blue's Clues and You!" She plays the grandmother of the show's host Josh, played by Filipino American Josh dela Cruz.

She's also the voice of Gabriela the Philippine Eagle, a post office manager with hot pink feathers, on PBS's "Work it Out Wombats!"

"Aye Caesar" will have a staged reading by Cahoots Theatre. In the play, Old Person goes online shopping and is assisted by Aye Caesar, a customer service representative. A relationship develops. A life is saved. Is their relationship real?

Inspired

Proudly turning 63 this year ("I'm so happy you asked!") and a seasoned artist herself, Fe constantly fights against stereotypes of what elderly performers are capable of. She champions the versatility and verve of experienced artists by getting out there and showing everyone what she's got.

Fe started out as a professional contemporary dancer who toured and choreographed her own professional dance company, then owned and operated a dance school. She has frontlined the Euro-jazz cover band DD Swank, singing in French, English and Spanish under the stage name Mama B.

Fe has released an album of her own original material, while still acting for the stage and for the screen, and running her own theater production company. She recently became a contributing author to Magdaragat: An Anthology of Filipino-Canadian Writing.

"Aye Caesar" is one of six plays that Fe wrote during her recent artist residency at Tarragon Theatre that focus on "the experiences of the older generation."

"Thus, eventually providing more work opportunities for the marginalized older women of color."

She points out that "the population is getting older. According to Statistics Canada, there will be three times more people aged 85 and older by 2050.

"Healthcare systems are not equipped to take care of the elderly above and beyond physical disabilities. The geriatric mental health workforce is ill-equipped and scarce. As a consequence of this workforce shortage, the role of the caregiver is fraught with physical, psychological and emotional challenges.

The festival

Fe says she was inspired by British science fiction writer and futurist Arthur C. Clarke's third law, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

"This is where AI comes into the play. With all the advancements of AI, anything seems to be possible. Can technology ease and assist the elder community?"

For the festival, Fe will be playing the Old Person and paired up with a younger actor who will play Aye Caesar. "I usually don't like to act in my own plays as I feel there are enough actors of color, specifically Filipino Canadian actors, out there who should walk the boards.

"However, if my acting of the older character in my own play is any indication, it might be proof there are not enough professional older Filipino Canadian actors out there.

 "Thus my incentive to write stories that include the later-in-life demographics so they can see themselves represented enough to spark their dreams of an artistic life. Including for those who have felt or feel the arts are not a viable career path although deep down they have a yearning."

She's receiving support to keep writing more of these stories. Fe recently received the 2024 Joel Beddows Playwrighting Grant from Theatre francais de Toronto.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/154013/blues-clues-lola-pens-new-play-on-ai-and-the-elderly

Scandal no more: Filipino American performances 120 years after St. Louis World’s Fair

By WALTER ANG
July 23, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Audiences attending the shows at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre (or Muny for short) this year will get to see Filipino American thespians on stage in the next few weeks.

(From left) Filipino Americans Red Concepcion (Thernardier) and Emily Bautista (Eponine)
preparing backstage during The Muny's staging of "Les Miserables."

The Muny is considered as America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater series.

Poignantly, 120 years ago, in the same park where the Muny stage is located, more than a thousand Filipinos were sent by the Philippine government to "perform" at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the 1904 World's Fair.

The contingent included the Philippine Constabulary and its band, Boy Scouts, students, and midget siblings. Filipinos were "displayed" alongside Native Americans, Africans, dwarves and bearded ladies.

But the hit of the contingent (and of the fair) would be the Igorot, a blanket term for indigenous peoples from the Philippines' northern highlands.

With their scantily clad and tattooed bodies, the Igorot performed dances to gong music at scheduled times during the day.

Scandalous

The scandalous draw for fairgoers was the dog eating by the Igorot. It was something they only did occasionally for ceremonial purposes. But for the fair, it became a daily show.

In the following years, over 200 women and men would go on to perform in Igorot shows across the US, in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco and other world's fairs in Portland and Seattle, among others.

(More information about the Filipino contingent at the 1904 World's Fair can be found in the book Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History.)

It is definitely a different milieu for today's Filipino American performers in theater, film, TV, online and other mediums. Thanks in no small part to many pioneering Fil-Am artists and activists along the decades who have worked to increase a foothold and gain visibility, recognition and respect in the different performing professions and industries.

Today

The Muny's staging of "Les Miserables" in June featured Emily Bautista (HBO Max's "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin") as Eponine and Red Concepcion as Thernardier.

Bautista has performed as Kim in "Miss Saigon" on Broadway and on national tour. Concepcion is currently in Broadway's "Chicago" as Amos Hart.

In the musical "Waitress," opening on July 30, Lissa deGuzman will play Dawn.

With lyrics and music by Grammy Award winner Sara Bareilles, the story centers on Jenna, a baker who dreams of escaping her job, small town and rocky marriage. Adapted from the 2007 film, it's a celebration of friendship, motherhood and the magic of a homemade pie.

DeGuzman was last seen in St. Louis as Elphaba in the national tour of "Wicked" and she is currently the standby for Elphaba on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Jasmine in "Disney's Aladdin" and "King Kong."

In "Anything Goes" in August, Spencer Jones will play Spit.

Cole Porter's hilarious musical comedy is a tap-dancing romp on the high seas where two unlikely pairs on the S.S. American set sail for true love and a boatload of comedic chaos.

Jones was in the Broadway cast of "Uncle Vanya" starring Steve Carrell (NBC's "The Office"). For The Muny, he has been in "The King and I," "Spamalot," "Shrek the Musical," "South Pacific," among others.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/153818/scandal-no-more-fil-am-performances-120-years-after-st-louis-worlds-fair

What these Filipino Americans wish they knew about being queer and Filipino in America

By WALTER ANG
July 18, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

LOS ANGELES — A pioneering book on the experiences and insights of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) Filipino Americans is now available.

The book With Love: What We Wish We Knew About Being Queer and Filipino in America collects 68 inspiring letters from 50 Fil-Ams, sharing triumphs, setbacks and 10 heartfelt life lessons.

As conceptualized by editor Dustin Domingo, the book's prompt for its contributors was "imagine you could send a letter through time to your younger self . to inform, empower, comfort or share about your experiences ... [what] messages or lessons ... might have helped you better navigate your world?"

Domingo says the book, published by Kuwento Co., is a showcase of courage and vulnerability as contributors navigate societal norms, family dynamics and that "this compassionate journey informs, celebrates, and comforts those on their queer journey . whether queer, Filipino, or exploring intersectional identities," he says.

"Through this collection of heartwarming and poignant [letters], this book aims to offer insight, empathy and strength to those navigating .  identity, culture, and love."

Queer and here

Contributors to the book are those who are within the umbrella of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual and other sexualities) community and are referred to as queer in this book, according to Domingo.

Domingo explains that "the call for submissions asked for contributions from folks who have lived experience in the US."

Contributing authors to the book are from Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and some who no longer live in the US and are now based in Canada, the Netherlands and Australia.

Ages range from a contributor born in 1964 to a contributor born in 2002.

Domingo points out that the book is also a "major historical artifact" that can be passed on to future generations. "My hope is that With Love will boldly state that we were here, this was our experience, and you're welcome to use what we've learned to find ways to live authentically and to thrive."

Talk

Domingo has a doctorate in organizational leadership. In addition to his work in academia, he is a singer with the groups #FOURTY4B and With Filosophy; a podcast producer ("MeSearch," "The Stories We're Proud to Share," "Have You Met," and "Let's Circle Back."); and the director of curriculum for Lakas Mentorship, a Filipino American youth empowerment program.

Domingo and a few other of the book's contributors will be speaking at a panel discussion on July 24 at Teofilo Coffee Company's branch in Long Beach, hosted by the Filipino American National Historical Society's Orange County/Inland Empire chapter.

The discussion will be moderated by Pat Catalla-Buscaino, aka Dr. Pinky, founder and CEO of Kuwento Co.

Contributors who will speak at the panel discussion include:

LJ Balajadia, a trainer who enjoys long walks on short beaches and short walks to the refrigerator;

Arnel Calvario Ripkens, member of world-renowned dance crew the KINJAZ. Ripkens has piloted a dance therapy program serving neurodivergent youth;

Educator MJ BH and disabled queer educator and community organizer Megan Dela Cruz;

Therapist and licensed clinical social worker Ryan Dalusag, owner of Well-Being Heritage Therapeutic Services, a mental health therapy practice supporting Asian-American Pacific Islander adults; and

Disabled community organizer Warjay Naigan.

Domingo will be giving a brief background about the book, how it was developed, and a general overview of who are represented in the book.

Contributing authors will read excerpts from their letters and will discuss their experience with this process as well as what compelled them to write what they shared.

There will be a general discussion following where community members are invited to ask questions.

For details about the panel discussion on July 24, visit instagram.com/thewithlovebook. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/153481/what-these-fil-ams-wish-they-knew-about-being-queer-and-filipino-in-america

Carlos Bulosan Book Club to host Filipino American author talk in LA

By WALTER ANG
July 17, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American writers Laurel Flores Fantauzzo, Ricco Siasoco and EP Tuazon will be speaking at an author talk organized by the Carlos Bulosan Book Club on July 20 at the LA Library in Historic Filipinotown.

Fantauzzo is the author of My Heart Underwater, published by Quill Tree Books. In the book, Corazon Tagubio feels like an outcast at her Catholic school. Her father gets into an accident and become comatose. When a crush on her teacher Ms. Holden turns into something more and the secret gets out, Cory is sent to her relatives in Manila.

She has to see how the country that has shaped her past might also redefine her future. (The audio book of My Heart Underwater is narrated by Fil-Am Amielynn Abellera.)

Fantauzzo has also written The First Impulse, published by Anvil. Her essays have appeared in CNN Philippines, the New York Times, The Baffler and elsewhere. For her essay, "Under My Invisible Umbrella," she received the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award, the Philippines' most prestigious literary award.

She's been a finalist for the Philippine National Book Award and for the PEN/FUSION Emerging Writers Prize. Fantauzzo has taught writing and literature at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Ateneo de Manila University.

Siasoco is the author of The Foley Artist: Stories, which includes nine stories that voice to the intersectional identities of women and men in the Filipino diaspora in America, including a straight woman attending her ex-boyfriend's same-sex marriage in coastal Maine, a college-bound teenager encountering his deaf uncle in Manila and a 79-year-old foley artist recreating the sounds of life but ultimately unable to save himself.

Siasoco is a writer, educator and activist whose work has been published in AGNI, Joyland, Drunken Boat and The North American Review.

He has taught at Columbia University, Boston College and the Massachusetts College of Art. He is a board member of Kundiman, a national literary organization dedicated to Asian American literature.

Tuazon is the author of A Professional Lola and Other Stories, which won the 2022 AWP Grace Paley Prize in Short Fiction. The book is a collection of short stories that "blend literary fiction with the surreal to present the contemporary Filipino American experience and its universal themes of love, family and identity."

Tuazon's work has appeared in The Rumpus, Lunch Ticket, Peatsmoke and Five South. They have been a finalist for the Prairie Schooner Raz-Shumaker Book Prize in Fiction and Five South Short Fiction Prize.

In their spare time, Tuazon likes to go to Filipino seafood markets to gossip with the crabs.

The author talk will be moderated by Carlos Bulosan Book Club Chair Jaime Geaga. The book club was established in 2017 and is a project of the Friends of Echo Park Branch Library.

This particular branch of the Los Angeles Public Library is located in the heart of Historic Filipinotown and houses a dedicated Philippine Heritage Collection that consists of several hundred volumes on Fil-Am life and culture.

The club's mission is to provide a forum to explore and learn about Fil-Am and other immigrant experiences through literature and art using various media, including print, audio and video formats.

The club was inspired by Carlos Bulosan's America Is in the Heart, a story of perseverance and sacrifice in the face of undaunting hardship to build a better life. The group's aim is to preserve "our collective memory by collecting the individual stories of our contributions in the building of America."

Visit carlosbulosanbookclub.org. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/153393/carlos-bulosan-book-club-to-host-fil-am-author-talk-in-la

Here’s where to experience Kulintang, indigenous music this month

By WALTER ANG
July 12, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Have you heard any indigenous and traditional Filipino music performed live lately?

Filipino Americans interested in learning more about and enjoying these different kinds of music will be glad to know that there are several shows this month that they can attend.

Well, in the Bay Area and in Hawaii, at least. But if you are not from these areas and would like these kinds of activities to come to your city or state, now you will know whom to contact.

This series of activities under the umbrella title "Uni at Ugat" is organized by House of Gongs, a group founded by Lydia Querian and her husband Ron, which focuses on Philippine tribal music and instruments.

"'Uni at Ugat' mean 'sounds and roots' in Manguindanao and Tagalog. House of Gongs is a grassroots movement that honors tradition and fosters innovation in music and arts," Querian says.

"By encouraging artists to integrate indigenous knowledge into their creative expressions, House of Gongs aims to bridge cultural gaps and support personal growth."

Rhythms

Gongs won't be the only kinds of instruments that will be involved in these performances. According to Querian, "kulintang music is more than just hitting gongs, it's based on traditional chanting, vocal music and boat-lute music."

"It is storytelling, healing and a celebratory art form. The melodic sounds and patterns in the music reflect years of passed down voices and oral history."

On July 23 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, "Rhythms of Mindanao" will showcase the music and the art of indigenous Philippine master artists and culture bearers will be co-presented with arts organization Kularts.

Featured performers include Talaandig artists Balugto and Waway, Maguindanaon artists Sata Egal Abdullah and Farid Guinomla, and T'boli artist Joel Ganlal.

"Many ethnic tribes in the Philippines play the kulintang, each with its own unique instrumental composition."

Geography 

Then it is off to Hawaii for "Uni at Ugat: Gongs of the River" on July 25. This unique experience will feature the music of renowned Maguindanaon artists Sata Abdullah and Farid Guinomla from Cotabato City, Philippines.

Querian explains that geography influences the way kulintang is played. "Ilod are downstream Pulangi River in Maguindanao and laya are upstream," she says.

Sata Abdullah plays ilod kulintangan. "The rhythms in ilod style are typically more structured and have a steady tempo. This can reflect the more reserved nature of the region's cultural practices."

Farid Guinomla, in contrast, plays laya kulintangan. "While the laya style rhythms are often more fluid, faster and dynamic, with varying tempos that can change within a piece. This reflects the region's more expressive cultural practices."

Its second edition of "Gongs of the River" will be on July 30, with workshops and music performances by Joel Ganlal of the T'boli and Waway and Balugto of the Talaandig.

New wave

Behind the scenes, House of Gongs is prepping the next wave of kulintang performers. It is currently conducting a music camp this month where a batch of musicians are learning to integrate Filipino gongs and indigenous musical instruments into their repertoire.

"Through this camp, we are providing them access to master artists from the Philippines, Filipino American experts from the music industry and from Hollywood."

"Our inaugural camp is an essential part of House of Gong's programming. We want to encourage artists to present new works at our next Gongsters Paradise Kulintang festival, which is the only kulintang festival in North America."

Visit houseofgongs.com or email thehouseofgongs@gmail.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/153080/heres-where-to-experience-kulintang-indigenous-music-this-month

‘Professional Lola’ inspired by Filipino American author’s love for family

By WALTER ANG 
July 9, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American EP Tuazon has released A Professional Lola and Other Stories.

The book is a collection of short stories that "blend literary fiction with the surreal to present the contemporary Filipino American experience and its universal themes of love, family and identity."

As the book's title hints at, in one of the tales in the collection, a family hires an actress to play their beloved grandmother at a party.

Other scenarios that readers can encounter include a couple craving Filipino food robbing a panaderya (bakery), a coven of Filipino witches casting a spell on their husbands and a Lolo transforming into a Lola.

These are just a few of among the roster of pieces "beautifully grounded in culture and vividly and meticulously painted to make the absurd seem mundane and the commonplace, sinister."

Inspiration

In an interview with Berkely Fiction Review, Tuazon spoke of how instrumental his maternal and paternal grandmothers were in his upbringing. "Both of my Lolas .  regardless of what's going on, even if it's hard, even if they're having a bad day, they still took care of us.

"I thought of that as something really endearing but also professional. Despite who you're dealing with, I always saw my lolas [giving] us 100 percent of their love, almost like a professional," they said.

Tuazon also mentioned that they love to incorporate elements into stories to include "some sort of representation" of their background as a Filipino American.

They said in the interview, "There's writing out there by other Filipino Americans and there are a lot of other Filipino writers [whose work] I really like, but [they do not necessarily reflect] the kind of experience that I had growing up.

"I wanted to write a story based on those kinds of experiences from my point of view of what the culture is like. This is a love story to my family. Everybody has a different perspective of the Filipino American experience, but I wanted to share mine and there's a lot of humor to it."

Tuazon said that coming up with this collection of stories has "made me a lot closer to the people I love and care about and to my culture."

Process

Talking to Inquirer.net USA, Tuazon shared that they started writing in high school and college. "I fell in love with reading in college. I feel like I learned a lot from [the books] I love to read. Slowly, I learned."

"I used to find an author and read everything they've ever written. I'm still reading and learning and being amazed by all the new ways people can tell a story."

Tuazon mentioned Filipino American writers Jessica Hagedorn and Lysley Tenorio among their list of favorite authors.

When it came time to write their own book, Tuazon explained that the earliest story in the collection was written in 2017. "It took about two years to find homes for most of the stories in different magazines." Eventually, the stories were compiled into the book. "So the whole process of the book was probably seven years!" they added with a laugh.

Overall, Tuazon, wanted to feature stories about identity. "Lola, lolo, brother, sister, ate, kuya, husband, wife. Gender, sexuality, kababayan. In addition, I wanted to showcase different facets of the Filipino American diaspora."

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/152890/professional-lola-inspired-by-fil-am-authors-love-for-family

Creative writing 'playshop' launched for young Filipino Americans

By WALTER ANG
July 3, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

CHICAGO — Young Filipino Americans will get a chance to flex their imaginations and creativity, and even learn some archeology skills at the Hidden Treasures: Unearthing Our Stories Workshop from Aug. 2 to 4, 2024.

Organized by the NVM and Narita Gonzalez Writers' Workshop, this special weekend-long youth writers' program is open to kids and teens ages 8 to 18. Last day to register July 26, 2024.

Participants will learn to "create stories, poetry, even songs, in any form or media they choose" using prompts based on artifacts from the Field Museum's Philippine Heritage Collection. They will be guided through writing games, "dreamstorming" (the workshop's version of brainstorming), how to create a zine and a student showcase, among other activities.

"Join us for an incredible journey to the Philippines at the exhibit," says Mary Grace Bertulfo, the group's midwest program director.

"A 19th-century helmet and armor made of carabao horn. Colorful barangay (boat) and outriggers. Toys and games. Who knows what intriguing treasures the young writers will encounter? These artifacts can inspire and enrich their stories."

The workshop aims to make writing and storytelling fun. Parents and educators may take comfort in knowing that the workshop's instructors "will be encouraging the more tentative students to explore story forms and writing techniques they may be curious about, such as comics, poetry, creative nonfiction, short stories, essays, etc.," says the organization's vice-president Lisa Melnick Suguitan.

"We welcome students with any level of curiosity and skill. Instead of workshops, we call our writing sessions playshops. Often, kids approach writing with some nervousness. There's anxiety over tests, grammar and being graded. Writing can be a mysterious and challenging process.

"Our playshops bring joy to the writing process, exploration and innovation. The emphasis is on nourishing the young storyteller's creative process, celebrating taking creative risks.

"They can write on their phones or devices or in notebooks. They can write short stories, poems, essays, short stories or draw comics and manga. The choice is theirs."

Workshops

The workshop will be taught by the following Filipino American instructors who will help participants hone their skills and help them find ways to achieve their creative goals.

Writer, artist, educator and comics maker Isabel Garcia-Gonzales. Her zine Fledgling Comics has been included as required reading in college courses such as Introduction to Asian American Studies and Introduction to Creative Writing.

Lisa Suguitan Melnick has more than 35 years of experience as a writing instructor. She is the author of #30 Collantes Street.

Mary Grace Bertulfo has written for television (CBS) and children's education (Pearson Education Asia, Schlessinger). Her award-winning fiction, essays and poetry have appeared in Growing Up Filipino II, City of Big Shoulders, Dear Human on the Edge of Time, and various anthologies. She is the founder of Banyan Asian American Writers Collective.

Educator Michael Gonzalez is the founder and director of the NVM and Narita Gonzalez Writers' Workshop. He is a faculty member of the City College of San Francisco.

Heritage, legacy, stories

The NVM and Narita Gonzalez Writers' Workshop offers fiction writing workshops both in the US and the Philippines.

Founded in honor of Filipino novelist, short story writer, essayist and poet Néstor Vicente Madali Gonzalez, the workshop's mission is to encourage people of all ages, genders and ethnicities to discover writing as an expression of self and of others.

Some of Gonzalez's novels include The Bamboo Dancers, A Season of Grace: A Novel and The Bread of Salt and Other Stories.

"NVM Gonzalez believed that literature is the mirror of a people's collective soul to be cultivated with care and with creativity. We hope our workshops fulfill this mission," says Michael Gonzalez. "Inspired by NVM's life story, we develop programs that cultivate appreciation for fiction writing, visual arts, and music."

For details, visit nvmgonzalez.org. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/152511/creative-writing-playshop-launched-for-young-fil-ams

First-ever Filipino American theater festival in Chicago looking for playwrights

By WALTER ANG
July 1, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

CHICAGO —  Submissions for plays are now being accepted for the inaugural Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival, which will be held in October.

The festival is organized by Fil-Am theatre and community arts organization Circa Pintig.

Selected submissions will receive a staged reading at the festival. Talkback sessions will be held after each performance with the artists involved in the play.

"The theme of the festival is 'Kapwa,' says Ginger Leopoldo, the group's executive director. "It is the same theme of our season this year."

The theme is about "connecting with kapwang Pilipino" through new theater works "focusing on the Filipino experience."

"This is our first festival for new works. We are accepting works from playwrights here in the US and globally."

In addition to providing a venue for new plays, the Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival will also showcase readings and performances of the following plays: "Leaving Mother: Anak ni Tapia" by Lani Montreal; "The Butterfly of Chula Vista" by Giovanni Ortega; "Daryo's All-American Diner" by Conrad Panganiban; "Crossroads" by Foline Roos; and "Hail Mary/Maria" by RJ Silva.

Action through arts

The organization began its activities in 1986 and became Pintig Cultural Group in 1991. Pintig means "pulse" in Tagalog. Circa, which eventually became part of the group's name as its goals and ethos broadened, is an acronym for Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts.

Circa-Pintig prides itself on not just existing simply for entertainment or 'art-for-art's' sake. It sees itself as a theater group that engages community members in collective action through the arts.

For more than 30 years now, Circa-Pintig has been immersing its volunteers and students in using theater as a tool to tackle difficult topics that affect their communities. The group has touched on issues such as internalized racism, homophobia, economic exploitation and youth trafficking, in "creative and engaging ways."

Submission Information

Playwrights who identify as Filipino American, Filipino or with Filipino heritage "are deeply encouraged" to submit.

The submission must be an original 10 to 15-minute play or excerpts from full-length pieces. Submissions that have been previously produced or published will not be accepted.

Submissions must note if the play includes non-English languages (Tagalog, Bisaya, Spanish, etc.) and must include English translations.

The submission must begin with a front page that includes the work's title followed by the playwright's name, email and a 200-250 word playwright's bio.

A playwright may submit up to two plays but only one entry will be accepted. A script may have more than one author.

Include a character list not to exceed a cast of seven performers (who can play multiple roles if necessary).

The manuscript must be typed in at least font size 12 and pages must be numbered.

"We encourage you to send your best work that would enhance and amplify the Filipino narrative in the diaspora." Playwrights whose works will be selected will receive a small stipend.

The judges selecting works will be comprised of a panel of Circa Pintig playwrights and artistic associates, including Lani Montreal, Conrad Panganiban, Larry Leopoldo, Myra Kalaw, Giovanni Ortega and Luis Pascasio.

Submissions are due on July 31, 2024. Selections will be notified by August 31, 2024.

Email info@circapintig.org or visit circapintig.org. Circa Pintig is included in the book Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/152312/first-ever-fil-am-theatre-festival-in-chicago-looking-for-playwrights