Theatre Rice
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| Theatre Rice! | |
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| Founder(s) | Duy Nguyen Michael Chang |
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| Type | Modern Asian-American Theatre Group |
| Founded | Fall 1998 |
| Origins | University of California, Berkeley |
| Key people | Producer: Yue Tu Assistant Producer: Dennis Ren Artistic Director: Jim Chin Course Coordinator: Kathleen Mendoza Course Coordinator: Irene Van Publicity Director: Jerry Lee Historian: Martin Tapalla Webmaster: Jacek Wnuk Writer's Block Coordinator: Joy Regullano Chief Financial Officer: Patricia Nguyen Technical Coordinator: Anthony Cheung |
| Area served | Berkeley |
| Revenue | Ticket Sales, Merchandise |
| Members | 41 |
| Website | theatrerice.com |
Theatre Rice conducts dedicated shows on the University of California, Berkeley campus regularly, performs externally throughout the San Francisco Bay area, and tours throughout California. Shows traditionally include improvisation, sketch comedy, drama, films, live music, and adaptations, though musicals, dances, and duologues. Other forms of performance have been featured as well.
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[edit] History
Theatre Rice, the first modern Asian American theatre group at Berkeley, was started in the autumn of 1998. Since its conception, Theatre Rice has grown considerably, both artistically and physically. In the past several years, the group has begun to attract an increasingly larger audience and a greater membership. Theatre Rice has emerged from a relatively unknown group to a group whose performances have become an anticipated community event.
[edit] Mission
Theatre Rice was conceived to provide people (particularly, but not exclusively, Asian American) who might not otherwise have a chance to participate in theatrical arts the opportunity to act, write, sing, direct, dance, and learn behind-the-stage techniques. What sets Theatre Rice apart from other dramatic groups is its open and unintimidating environment, and the basic ethic that effort and commitment are more important than experience or innate talent. Because the group is comprised of both seasoned and fledgling actors, there exists a healthy dynamic within which members can share their experiences and learn from each other.
The Asian American aspect of Theatre Rice is important because it is a step towards combating the misrepresentation, as well as the lack of representation, of the Asian American community in popular culture. By its mere existence, Theatre Rice is fulfilling its purpose of putting forth ideas that stem from the minds of Asian Americans, and therefore addressing the Asian American population as well as the greater community within Berkeley and beyond.
[edit] Charity work
A percentage of every show's profits goes to charity[1]. The fall 2007 shows raised $1000 for AYPAL, the Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership. Spring 2007's shows donated $650 to YFAT (Youth For Asian Theatre) and another $650 to NAWHO (National Asian Women's Health Organization). This work allows Theatre Rice to give back to the community.
[edit] External links
- Theatre Rice Main Website
- Rice Up Your Life: An Article on Theatre Rice in the Daily Cal
- Lifting the Curtain: An Article on Theatre Rice in the Daily Cal
- UC Berkeley Main Website
