In this Longhouse, we’re interrogating the elusive A-word: Authenticity.

Join us in Parramatta on Thursday 26 September for a robust and engaging artist led discussion, that asks – what does authenticity really mean?

Artists often grapple with authenticity— in our personal lives and in our creative work, Authenticity is closely tied to our connection to community, self-knowledge, customs, language, and cultural understandings, not to mention our sense of self-worth!

Inspired by National Theatre of Parramatta’s upcoming production of Dipika Guha’s Yoga Play — a razor sharp comedy that skewers the Western search for peace and authenticity— we reflect on how these themes resonate with us as Asian Australian artists.

How do we stay true to ourselves in a sector desperate to fulfil its own agenda? Is the search for our stories a sordid hunt for an “authentic Asian” experience? And what do they really want when they ask you to tick the CaLD box?

This panel discussion will be with director Mina Morita, Executive and Creative Producer Joanne Kee, and Director/Producer Bali Padda, facilitated by Contemporary Asian Australian Performance Artistic Director, Tessa Leong, followed by time to chat and mingle with food and drinks. In some traditional societies, the Longhouse is the meeting place where the village gathers to share stories and bond as a community. CAAP’s Longhouse Program combines talks, performances, masterclasses and workshops. All artists and arts workers interested in exploring Asian Australian themes through contemporary performance are welcome to attend.

Presented by Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance.

PANEL

Mina Morita
Joanne Kee
Bali Padda
Facilitated by Tessa Leong

TICKETS AND PERFORMANCES

Thu 26, 6:30pm 
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Tickets: $15

Tickets

NTofP is supported by City of Parramatta and  the NSW Government through Create NSW.
CAAP is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW, and assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

 

Asian Australian artists are creating contemporary theatre that extends beyond both domestic and personal themes, drawing on cultural roots as well as international influences. Works like Merlynn Tong’s Golden Blood pose new questions about the boundaries of Asian Australian identity, adding complexity and a global outlook to Australian stages. 
 
Are we looking inwards or facing outwards when we write these stories and are they talking to a local crowd or expecting a global reception? Does one come at the cost of the other? The way we position these stories and who we make them with brings its own set of challenges for the community and for audiences. In a local landscape where representation has often been limited, the stories we choose to tell—and who we’re telling them to—carry significant impact. 

In this Longhouse, we’ll explore the evolving nature of Asian Australian storytelling on our stages.  We’ll be joined by artists who are leading these next steps, shaping the future of Australian theatre. Refreshments will be served after the panel, we encourage participants to stay on to network and continue the conversation.  

PANEL

Jordan Shea
Vaishnavi Suryaprakash
How Ngean Lim
Facilitated by Jules Orcullo 

TICKETS AND PERFORMANCES

Thu 19 Sep, 6pm 
Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 2 Theatre

Tickets

Ticket Price*
General Admission $12

Transaction fees may apply
$8.50

*All tickets booked to Longhouse x STC receive a discounted ticket to a Monday - Thursday performance of Golden Blood. 
Your discount code will be emailed directly to you after the 12^th of September by STC. 

 

The Story of Chi is a new work of magic realism that follows the journey of a young girl and a teenage dragon. Chi, caught between her Japanese and Vietnamese heritage, finds herself at a crossroads during an unexpectedly turbulent time for her family. Torn between cultures and traditions, Chi’s world takes a fantastical turn when she meets Mizu, a risk-taking teenage dragon who has been separated from his family. As grandmother, mother and daughter each struggle to balance ancient traditions with their lives today, Chi and Mizu embark on daring adventures but their wish for independence might just separate them from their families forever. 

The Story of Chi marks a new collaboration between Terrapin and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance. Written by Hoa Pham, Jeremy Nguyen and Hiroki Kobayashi, this work uses body and shadow puppetry to craft a stunning world that explores love, courage, and the complexities of family. 

Performances

Thu 31 Oct– Sat 2 Nov '24
Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre

BOOK TICKETS 

Key Creatives 

Writers Hiroki Kobayashi, Hoa Pham, Jeremy Nguyen  
Director Kenneth Moraleda  
Puppetry Director Sam Routledge  
Production Dramaturg Tessa Leong  
Lighting and Set Design: Benjamin Brockman
Costume Design: Rita Naidu
Composer Terumi Narushima 
Lighting Designer Benjamin Brockman 
Puppet Maker Danny Miller  
Performers Samuel Lau, Eliane Morel, Mayu Iwasaki, Juanita Navas-Nguyen 
Development Director Courtney Stewart  
Development Composer Matt Hsu  
Development Cast Yulan Jack, Meme Thorne,  
Development Partner La Boite 

Acknowledgments: 

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.  

CAAP is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. 

Terrapin is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia and through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts. 

Image credit: Peter Mathews 

Delivered in collaboration with Sydney Theatre Company, Playwrights Lab convenes playwrights with artistic leaders, industry experts and established writers. It is supported by Sydney Theatre Company’s Watershed Program - their new home for new work and artistic development. At the core of Playwrights Lab is CAAP’s mission to address the underrepresentation of Asian Australian voices on stages. CAAP’s previous writers program LOTUS, delivered with Playwriting Australia (now Australian Plays Transform) supported over 70 writers, leaving an indelible mark on the national cultural landscape.

EOIS Are now Open

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from early-to-mid-career Asian Australian playwrights based in NSW to join this program. This year's initiative is led by CAAP Artistic Director, Tessa Leong and STC’s Artistic Director Kip Williams alongside Director of New Work and Artistic Development Paige Rattray. The day-long program will include opportunities for participants to connect with industry leaders and a masterclass with celebrated playwright Anchuli Felicia King, writer of American Signs, Poison of Polygamy, and White Pearl at the Sydney Theatre Company. Participants will gain insights into the new work ecosystem at STC, exploring how new works are developed and the ongoing connection points available to playwrights throughout their careers.

An honorarium will be paid to each of the successful participants.

Playwrights Lab, Gadigal will run Thu 10 Oct.

Who is Eligible 

• Early-to-mid-career Asian Australian playwrights of any age who have written at least one full-length play. The play doesn't need to have been performed.
• Writers must be NSW-based at the time of application.
• Writers must be available for the full day Thu 10 Oct.

How to Apply

Applications are now closed.

Applications will be assessed by the team at CAAP and Sydney Theatre Company. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

If you have any questions about the application process or access needs, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Acknowledgments 

Playwrights Lab is generously supported by Constellation Creatives Foundation.

CAAP is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW, and assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

STC Watershed Lead Patron: Jibb Foundation.

Image: Jay Patel