The upcoming talk Decolonizing the Stage: Final Bow for Yellowface will unpack Asian representation on the stage, specifically in ballet and opera.
Featuring guest speaker Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface, a dance company centered on East Asian representation, and author of a book by the same name, the multimedia presentation will tackle magic carpets, glittering pagodas and harem fantasies, all are part of Orientalist tropes of Asian cultures. Chan forcefully rejects these harmful and inaccurate stereotypes, challenging audiences to embrace diverse artistic portrayals and to insist on inclusion in the arts.
The presentation will be followed by a conversation with Chan and Cynthia Ling Lee, associate professor with the Department of Performance, Play & Design.
The first 25 students to arrive will receive a free copy of Chan’s book, Final Bow for Yellowface: Dancing between Intention and Impact (2020). There will also be a meet and greet with Chan earlier in the day exclusively for students to connect and learn more.
Decolonizing the Stage is part of a celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month. It was made possible by the UC Santa Cruz Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Arts Division, and one-time funds to combat bias and bigotry from the University of California Office of the President. This event is co-sponsored by the Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center and the Lionel Cantú Queer Center.
“We typically think of student engagement today through newer forms like social media or streaming services. But many students want to learn more about what is happening on stage, where a diverse group of artists is addressing the complex issues of our time by innovating more traditional forms,” says Anju Reejhsinghani, inaugural vice chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She adds, “Over the past three years, my office has participated in a number of successful collaborations with the Arts Division, so we are thrilled to be able to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month together by bringing choreographer and advocate Phil Chan to campus.”
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:30PM
Digital Arts Research Center (DARC), Room 108
407 McHenry Rd
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Free and open to the publicRegister in advance here