PMSTA's "Death of a Player"

Death of A Player Press Release

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
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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

My First Theater Review

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

PMSTA Reading

Bindlestiff Studio had their Wordy Word Wednesday last night, an open mic for artists that are virgin or returning to the stage.

PMSTA hosted last night with great turnout and support. I'm very excited about the show, and a part of such a great collective. The show has a lot of sass and reflection. I felt that the material was met with a positive response.

My friend Tonilyn read my piece on the mic. She's pretty bubbly and outgoing, and wanted to meet the challenge of playing a psycho. She did a really great job! It was weird for me to hear my words being read back to me.

It was empowering for many reasons. I'm relieved to have let go of a lot traumatic experiences through this process. I've turned it into a pretty funny story, and as a result I've learned to let a lot of things go.

I like the phrase "moving forward" more than moving on. Moving on is so definite and unforgiving when you have a bad day. I've moved forward, although some days I veer to the side. My writing and my dreams continue to keep me positive and I still have a lot to look forward to.

Thanks PMSTA

Be a man

I have a photo shoot in a week, which is one of the reasons I've been hitting it hard at the gym. The theme is still Death of a Player.

We agreed that our look would be androgynous menswear a'la Janelle Monae. However, Janelle is a stick, and menswear compliments her frame.

I googled pictures of more curvy ladies, such as Kim Kardashian in menswear, but it just looks hella generic.

At the moment, I'm looking up Drag Kings to get another perspective on how to accomplish this look.

I've been pretty hooked on Ru Paul's dragrace for the past couple of months. In a way watching that show makes me feel like a woman whenever I get the urge to lay around in T-shirt and sweats.

If there is anything to take away from that show, it's that it's a ritual to look your prettiest, and you should spend however amount of time you need to get ready, in order to feel like a million bucks when you walk out the door. Also drag queens show us that you can accomplish any look, you just need the make up, the application techniques, and the time.

Ideally, I want my look to be something like this.

<----------------------------

Shall I call this look "Butch Elegance?"

In my dream of dreams I would like a white tuxedo jacket, with black underneath. I want to look like a hot chick that is torn between Scarface and Casablanca.

This will no doubt require some digging into my dad and brother's closets. Maybe a trip to thrift store.

I don't want to look completely like a dude, but because our monologues plays with gender roles, we thought it would be a good idea to do this theme for the promotion. This photo shoot is going to be really fun.

If the men on Ru Paul's drag race can make transforming into a woman look like a walk in the park, I can manage to find a look for next Sunday.

Do the Good Girls Still Have a Chance?

The Recovering Psycho girlfriend could easily make 28 calls that go to voicemail in one sitting, kick a car in the middle of traffic, throw a bowl of ramen atsomeones head, and still manage to meet the gays later for drinks with a straight poker face. This crazy behavior comes with youth, and it's NOT cute.

There are many others like me, but they might missing word recovering. At first glance I can tell these women have a temperament that is hanging by a thread, and I shudder because some of these women are with really great guys. If you did your math right, there is not much left for the good girls. I'm thinking about turning psycho again.

Most guys say they don't want the psycho girl, but they continue to date them. I suppose it's because psycho sex is hot, but if the rest of the non-sexy time is just crying and screaming, what gives? There are men that I've dated that seem to be more intrigued with my psycho past, rather than my quest to be a good peace seeking woman. Do the single ladies need to add some psycho to get a man to be loyal?

I am troubled. I haven't found my answer. Lets discuss.

Second Draft of Monologue DONE. Whew!

I just finished my second draft of my monologue, which I hadn't opened in five months. I got to read it with new eyes, and I got polish it to make it more "Fictional" rather than a personal narrative. My goal was to take "me" out of the piece as much as I can.

When I first wrote it I was very angry. The piece should have been called "Christina's written therapy." I hope the piece is actually stage worthy, but we shall see as drafts are being passed around and critiqued.

Looking at it now I feel a million miles away from it, which is exactly where I need to be.

My monologue is a mix of Dexter and Rupaul's drag race. I look forward to seeing it on stage, because I don't really want to perform this piece. The real life version was enough, and the fantasy version is just a little overkill. I'm getting feedback from a great actress friend of mine, who I hope will perform it.

I need a wordy and gutsy bootch to execute this character. God send me one.

Dear San Francisco

Everything of who I am is in this city, but it's time for us to part.

I used to love you. We've been in and out of love for quite a while now.

I can't look over one shoulder anymore. I know you like the back of my hand, and you are so fucking beautiful I would be insane to leave you.

But I have to. It's time.

I promise I will be back. I need a a dream beyond us, but you have provided some of the best experiences I've ever had.

With you, I'm an artist, an activist, a youth advocate, and a best friend.

Why am I now the prodigal daughter?

I have to do this. If not, I will forever be lost in your complications.

Goodbye love. Beautiful Love.

RIP Nujabes

I just knew I was ready.