Our Past Performances

We began our rehearsals in a cold New York winter, developing the script from scratch in collaboration with the performers. The performance was built around the unique elements and stories they shared with us.

"Tongues is a gathering, an event, and a performance where we’ll re-enact the most mundane daily moments, belt out our go-to karaoke songs, and, of course, explore the art of swearing in our native Asian languages. Join us as we connect and create new, shared experiences through the power of our mother tongues."

Director - Yibin Wang

Dramaturg - Yejia Sun

Producer - Ruby Wang

Media Designer/Associate Director - Qixin Zhang

Scenic Designer - Zhuosi "Joyce" He

Light Designer - Kristen Paige

Stage Manager - Xin "Zinc" Tong

Ensemble - Andy Law, Michi Zaya, Mia Zhu, OmRaj Raut

UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT

We spent 3 months developing community workshops at university settlement community centers and senior centers. And we created this performance with and for communities in Chinatown, New York.

"Join for a day of performance, healing, and celebration — through words, sound, and voice. Whether you speak one language, two, or something in-between, Tongues is for you.

Tongues is more than a performance — it’s a bilingual gathering, an offering, a space to honor your mother tongues, your migration stories, and the in-betweens."

Phase I - Collective Ideation

May 2024

Developed with Yibin Wang, Ruby Wang, Yejia Sun, Lingyi Wang, Om Raj Raut, Andy Law, Michi Zaya, Mia Zhu.

We began in the rehearsal rooms at Riverside Church and Columbia’s Nash Studios, fueled by nothing but our passion, zero funding, and the unwavering support of friends. Today, Lingyi, one of our original performers, is pursuing her Master’s degree in the UK, oceans away.

Tongues stands as a testament to the early artistic journeys of Asian diaspora artists in the U.S., offering us a space to share stories we had never dared to tell before.

October - December 2024

Phase II - Structure Development

Developed with Yibin Wang, Ruby Wang, Yejia Sun, Om Raj Raut, Andy Law, Michi Zaya, Mia Zhu, Qixin Zhang, Christie Zhao.

During the summer, we received exciting news from the Exponential Festival, the Museum of Chinese in America, and University Settlement with support in grants, space, and community programs.

We decided to hold a second round of workshops at University Settlement, working with performers to develop the structure of the performance we are now putting together. Our team continues to grow, with more friends joining us, including Qixin, Christie, Joyce, and Kristen.

World Premier - JACK Performance

January 2025

Phase III - Into the Community

April - June 2025

October - December 2025

GRAND STREET SETTLEMENT