Fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company
Founded in January 2002, fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company is a dynamic independent theatre company determined to carve out a space in the Canadian cultural landscape for vibrant Asian Canadian voices. The company is currently led by Artistic Director David Yee and Business Manager Michael Man.
Contents
Current Season (2014/15)
The Philly Project by David Yee[1]
Durango by Julia Cho[2]
The 12th Annual Potluck Festival
Mandate
fu-GEN Theatre Company is dedicated to the development of professional Asian Canadian theatre artists through the production of new and established works.
Mission
- To produce works of Asian North American playwrights, and foster new works by emerging playwrights.
- To explore and address issues of Asian North American’s societal roles, responsibilities and identity in the past, present and future through our artistic endeavors.
- To build a stronger, intercultural Canadian community by breaking down stereotypes through education and development of a strong cultural artistic base.
Vision
- We serve the Asian Canadian theatre artist
- We are dedicated to exploring the underlying Asian Canadian story
- We believe in diversity of practice: using non-traditional space, time, methodology & philosophy
- We are evolving with our artists
Company History
fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company was founded in January of 2002 by artists Susan Aceron, Nina Lee Aquino, Leon Aureus, Josephine Chim Bertrand, Lisa Kim, Charmaine Lau, Ping-Ya Lee, Richard Lee, Hiromi Okuyama, Siu Ta, Ian Wong, David Yee and Dale Yim. In December 2002 the company incorporated with four executive members: Nina Lee Aquino, Artistic Director; Richard Lee, General Manager; Leon Aureus, Producer; David Yee, Artistic Associate. In 2006, Aureus and Yee left the company for other pursuits, Yee returning in 2009 as Associate Artistic Director. In 2010, Aquino and Lee exited and Yee assumed directorship of the company with Carin Lowerison as General Manager. In 2014, Lowerison departed and the role of General Manager was retired, with Michael Man assuming the role of Business Manager.
Kitchen & Potluck Festival
Part of fu-GEN's core programming is the season-long creation lab, called The Kitchen and the resulting festival of new work that comes from it, called The Potluck Festival. A vital part of fu-GEN's activity, The Kitchen and Potluck Festival are our consistent support programs for emerging artists. Work that has originated and been developed through past Kitchens and Potluck Festivals include Pu-Erh by Norman Yeung, lady in the red dress by David Yee, Prison Dancer by Romeo Candido, Kim's Convenience by Ins Choi.
Production History
Along with several workshop presentations and an annual festival of new work, fu-GEN has produced 11 shows, including four remounts of Banana Boys. fu-GEN also produced the first ever international Asian Canadian Theatre Conference and Festival (GENesis) attended by artists and academics from all across North America, featuring new play readings every night.
Filial by David Yee (2003)
Banana Boys by Leon Aureus - Premiere (2004)
Banana Boys by Leon Aureus - Magnetic North and Toronto Remount (2005)
Singkil by Catherine Hernandez (2007)
paper SERIES by David Yee (2007)
Banana Boys by Leon Aureus (2008)
lady in the red dress by David Yee (2009)
GENesis: Asian Canadian Theatre Conference and Festival (2010)
Brown Balls by Byron Abalos (2011)
sex tape project by Adrienne Wong, Donald Woo and David Yee (2012)
Ching Chong Chinaman by Lauren Yee (2012)
