AS Phils hosts theater panel
New initiatives in theater take centerstage in Asia Society Philippines' back-to-back arts and culture events on September 23.The events are co-organized with the New York based Lark Play Development Center, which counts Tony Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) as a playwright advisor and Lloyd Suh (American Hwangap) among their former Fellows.
Breaking through Barriers, a panel discussion centered on diversity and theater's role in cultural exchange, takes place, 400 pm, at the Filipinas Heritage Library. Discussions will be led by John Eisner, Lark's artistic director; Kate Loewald, artistic director of Play Company; Jorge Ortoll, executive director of Ma-Yi and member of ITI; Chris Millado, director; Martin Lopez, head of Far Eastern University's President's Committee on Culture; and Mozart Pastrano, artistic director of Pasundayag Community Theater. Both Lopez and Pastrano belong to Asia Society's Philippines 21 Fellows representing arts and culture.
The discussion is immediately followed by a Meet the Writers reception, 6pm, at the Ayala Museum. David Henry Hwang delivers a keynote speech on the importance of supporting new writers and international theater exchange. He also joins Lloyd Suh and members of the local playwright group Writers Bloc in sharing excerpts of their current work.