I remember E. said this to me when I was going through a hard time. Right now I'm playing those words over and over again, in that scratchy blunt loving voice, with a tone that is part Tagalog and part Natoma hood.
He was as enigmatic as the artists he admired, Prince, Tom Yorke, and Johnny Cash. Yet he was the "hug able thug." That dude that you wanted as your ally and your friend. You felt golden in his good graces. Although E. was headstrong about a lot of things, he was a true "Frisco" kid who loved existential conversations and new ideas.
I took Kumari Suraj's class last night. This chick is so dope. I would drink her bath water and swim in her hammer pants. I need a little more practice in waacking, but I'm kind of hooked. I can't stop practicing in my bathroom.
After a 3 year break and with a few new cast mates, Filipina American Women’s theater group, PMSTA (Pinays Maintaining Sisterhood Through Art) is coming back in full force with a new show, DEATH OF A PLAYER. Written by Aureen Almario, Andrea Almario, Shannon Pacaoan, Ava Tong, and Christina Ying, DEATH OF A PLAYER pushes the idea that in living life to the fullest, one must die to fully live. Initially conceived as a show that lamented loss of youth and innocence, it has since then evolved into a thoughtful, provocative look into the phases of womanhood, decisions made at each intersection, and living and dying with chosen life paths. With a live band incorporating indie, hip-hop, show tunes, and everything in between, the show is sure to provoke with the absurd truths of larger than life theater. Stories include a mail-order-bride game show that shouldn’t be so funny, but is; a murder mystery of a cheating lover, where there is no mystery as to who done it; a look at dying early – or wishing one could to hear heartfelt eulogies of one’s greatness; the undoing of a family when someone discovers a hole and an electronic eye in the bathroom; a woman’s search in finding herself, but is sidetracked by an old lover that returns; and finally three different women are trapped in a apocalyptic zombie era, to find out that one holds a deep secret; how will they survive and will they survive? Directed by A. Fajilan; writing facilitation by Gayle Romasanta; and produced by Maggie Suarez-Calixton. This production is not to be missed! DEATH OF A PLAYER will be presented in October 2011 at the newly reconstructed Bindlestiff Studio, 185 Sixth Street in the South of Market Area, SF.
WHEN: October 13-16, 20-22 and 27-29 Thursdays through Saturdays, 800PM Matinees (October 15-16, 22, and 29), 200PM
WHERE: Bindlestiff Studio 185 Sixth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
ABOUT PMSTA Pinays Maintaining Sisterhood Through Art (PMSTA), was founded in November 2007 by a group of former cast mates from the Women’s Show called, The Fountain of Youth is a 16 oz Jar of Vaseline, directed by Gayle Romasanta. With much inspiration, the cast mates, Andrea Almario, Aureen Almario, Ann Borja, Kat Evasco, Nicole Maxali, Jamie Nallas, Gayle Romasanta, Tonilyn Sideco, Maggie Suarez-Calixton, and Ava Tong, decided to open new doors for other women who can voice out their struggles and accomplishments. Pinays Maintaining Sisterhood Through Art (PMSTA) strives to foster and develop strong, creative expressions and increased visibility of Filipino American women through theater, performance, literature, visual art, and music. WEBSITE: http://pmsta.wordpress.com/
ABOUT BINDLESTIFF STUDIO Established in 1989, Bindlestiff Studio is the only permanent, community-based performing arts venue in the nation dedicated to showcasing emerging Filipino American and Pilipino artists. Bindlestiff Studio provides the often under-served Filipino American community access to diverse offerings in theatrical productions, music and film festivals, workshops in directing, production, acting, stand-up comedy, and writing, as well as a children and youth theater program. More info and tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/194248
Contact Us
pmsthruart@gmail.com
facebook us!
PMSTA Artists
Andrea Almario
Aureen Almario
Ann Borja
Shannon Pacaoan
Gayle Romasanta
Tonilyn Sideco
Maggie Suarez-Calixton
Ava Tong
Christina Ying
Banner and Facebook Image by
Eunice Nuval
Website created by
Shannon Lee L. Pacaoan
Last month I was in the bay area to watch my piece performed at Cal State East Bay called Secrets EXposed.
It was the first time that I've seen anything I've written performed on stage. I took a huge chance writing a murderous tale. It felt crazy writing it, but seeing it on stage was like experiencing brief schizophrenia.
For a second I thought to invite my mom to come with me to show, but once I told her what the piece was about she was already squeamish.
Just as she was giving me a side eye, she asked me, "What the hell is going through my daughter's head?"
Never mind. I'll go by myself. LOL
I wrote the piece for the upcoming Bindlestiff Production "Death of a Player", and I was more than flattered when director Ann Fajilan asked if she could use my piece for her college production at CSUEB.
The actress, Teresita Brown, who played the main character in my piece did exceptionally well. I was blown away when I found out it was her first time on stage, and she's going to be part of the PMSTA show in October and I couldn't be happier to have her with us!
To read the review click here. Or just read MY part :D
"One of the most surprising and delightful performances was Teresita Brown’s performance of “The Word of Oprah,” written by Christina Ying.
The piece explored madness and crime, as well as a fanatical obsession with a woman so many people revere and look to for guidance in their daily lives.
Brown gave an outstanding performance as she perfectly embodied a maniac with an intense enactment that kept the viewer hanging on her every word.
It is not easy to play a fanatical person without looking over-the-top or tacky, but Brown was thoroughly convincing and Ying’s strong story telling provided her with a variety of qualities and components to the story."
Wow... Speechless.
I'm also eternally grateful for Ann Fajilan for getting my work out there. Her students put on a great show. When I met them afterwards some of the cast gasped as she introduced me as the writer for "The Word of Oprah." It must be because I look so sweet, and you would never suspect that I would write a story about a murdering psycho ;)
Here are some more shots from the show.
The Cast for "The Word of Oprah" (I'm glad they didn't run away from me)
Me and the awesome Teresita Brown
The dead body in my piece
Yep. There's a dead body. If wanna see why check out our show, "Death of a Player"
WHERE: Bindlestiff Studio 185 Sixth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
WHEN: October 13-16, 20-22 and 27-29 Thursdays through Saturdays, 800PM Matinees (October 15-16, 22, and 29), 200PM
