Ping chong meredith monk biography

Biography of Ping Chong

Ping Chong, a modern American theater director, choreographer, writer, and artist, is one of the pioneers of Asian American theater. Born in 1946 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Chong grew up in Chinatown, New York City. He studied art and film directing at the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute, two prestigious art schools. Chong began his theater career as a member of Meredith Monk's "The House Foundation" research center for performing arts.

In 1972, Chong directed his first independent production, "Lazarus." Since then, he has created over 50 performances, all aimed at engaging multicultural audiences. Chong has received numerous awards, including two Obie Awards, an international recognition for off-Broadway theater. He has also been honored with honorary doctorates from Kent State University and Cornish College of the Arts.

Chong founded "Ping Chong & Company" in 1975, originally known as "The Fiji Theatre Company." The company's mission is to explore the meaning of contemporary theater and art on a national and international level. They create and showcase innovative interdisciplinary works that examine the intersection of history, race, art, and technology in the modern world.

Chong and his company have created more than 50 productions, which have been widely performed in major theaters, performing arts centers, and festivals worldwide. Some of his recent large-scale puppet theater works include "Cathay: Three Tales of China" in 2005, "Obon: Tales of Rain and Moonlight" in 2002, and "Kwaidan" in 1998. "Kwaidan" and "Obon" are based on Japanese ghost stories collected and published by Lafcadio Hearn, a renowned American Japanologist. "Cathay" takes place in China and consists of three interconnected stories, depicting different eras in the country's history.

Since 1992, Chong has created over 30 works as part of the "Undesirable Elements" project. This series of productions explores issues of race, culture, immigration, and the uniqueness of individuals and communities living between two or more national cultures. During the creation process, Chong and his collaborators conduct numerous interviews in different cities in the United States and abroad with potential participants from local communities. These interviews serve as the basis for the script, providing historical and personal context for future productions.