Dmae welcomes NYC performing artist Soomi Kim, formerly from Beaverton, who is presenting her provocative work as part of Boom Arts season. Kim is collaborating with Suzi Takahashi in Chang(e), an homage to the late artist and activist Kathy Change (born Kathleen Chang), who died in a self-immolation act of protest in Philadephia in 1996.
(Aired 11am 12/5/17 on KBOO 90.7 FM or always on stagenstudio.com and always on iTunes)
CHANG(E)
Co-Created by Soomi Kim & Suzi Takahashi
Performed by Soomi Kim & Company
Directed by Suzi Takahashi
December 7-10, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
*Please note that December 7th is a preview performance.
The Headwaters Theatre, 55 NE Farragut St.
For tickets and info visit: BoomArts.org
From Boom Arts, Theatre Diaspora & APANO:
Devising Performance with Soomi Kim
A SLIDING SCALE Workshop for Portland Area-based Performing Artists of Color
At Sunnyside Community House Saturday, December 9th at 1pm - (INCLUDES A TICKET TO THE SHOW) REGISTER HERE
Boom Arts presents the world premiere of a newly updated version of Chang(e), featuring Soomi Kim, Jo-Anne Lee, Zeke Stewart, and Polaris Dance Theatre Artistic Director Robert Guitron as guest performer, on December 7 (preview) and 8, 9, & 10 at The Headwaters Theatre,55 NE Farragut St. in Portland. All performances will be at 7:30pm, with post-show discussions to follow performances on December 8, 9, and 10. Tickets for all shows are $12 students; $20 general admission; and $30 premium reserved. Tickets can be purchased at www.boomarts.org or (866) 811-4111.
The Philadelphia-based performance artist and activist Kathy Change fought for global social transformation and aimed to save the world from disaster. She became national news briefly when, as a final act of protest, she self-immolated on the University of Pennsylvania campus in October 1996. Fast forward twenty years: Kim and co-creator/director Suzi Takahashi return to Change’s story for the latest in their trilogy of theatre works based on under-recognized Asian American visionaries whose lives were cut short. Chang(e), a visually and aurally sumptuous docudrama, brings Change’s prescient defiance to life through a phantasmagorical blend of dance, verbatim text sourced from meticulous research, projections, and original sound score. This look backward could not be timelier as Kim—through Change—asks profound questions about hope and failure in activism.
Post-Show Discussions:
Friday, December 8th with Chisao Hata, Portland-based artist and past collaborator with Soomi Kim
Saturday, December 9th with Mary Gabriele, Cottage Grove-based MD and past collaborator with Kathy Change, and Paul Susi, Portland-based artist and social worker
Sunday, December 10th, co-presented with Age & Gender Equity in the Arts, with AGE Founder Jane Vogel & Courtney Rae, Portland's Resistance
BIO: Soomi Kim Creator/ Performer is a Korean born, Beaverton raised, New York City based actor/movement artist (dancer, stage combat/martial arts, choreographer, former gymnast). She has worked as a company member with several artists producing, creating and performing her own work, almost always in the collaborative setting. Kim's newest work, My Little China Girl, premiered on November 3rd at Dixon Place in New York City. Kim and director Suzi Takahashi have created and devised a trilogy of work based on under recognized figures Asian American visionaries whose lives were cut short: Lee/gendary, Dictee: bells fall a peal to sky and Chang(e). Chang(e) (based on the life of Kathy Change) was developed through the HERE Artist in Residency Program (2012-2015) and ran for 3 weeks in November on HERE’s mainstage. Dictee: bells fall a peal to sky (dance theatre adaptation of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s Dictee) was featured at Culture Project's Women Center Stage Festival at the Living Theatre in 2012. Lee/gendary (written by Derek Nguyen, directed by Suzi Takahashi based on the life of Bruce Lee) ran at HERE Arts Center’s main stage where Kim served as producer & performer in this show. This performance run garnered 6 New York Innovative Theater (2009) award nominations and 3 wins, including Outstanding Production of a Play. Kim was also nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role (as Bruce Lee) as well as Outstanding Choreography (alongside Airon Armstrong). All three shows were selected to be presented at the 1st, 3rd and 4th National Asian American Theatre Festivals (NYC, L.A. and Philly). Kim has performed and toured extensively with companies and artists such as Ex.p girl, composer/choreographer Grisha Coleman in her work echo::system-the desert and the late Fred Ho (BAM’s Next Wave 2001 and 2003 U.S. tour for Voice of the Dragon). As an actor her work ranges from down town and regional theater to independent film and web series appearances.
- KBOO