KSU Production‚ “Monkey King‚” to be Presented in China
By special invitation from Shanghai Theatre Academy‚ one of China’s two top theatre education…
Georgia (Oct 21, 2005) — KSU Production‚ “Monkey King‚” to be Presented in China
Cheryl Brown
Abstract
Contact: Cheryl Anderson Brown‚ 770−499−3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
By special invitation from Shanghai Theatre Academy‚ one of China’s two top theatre
education programs‚ Kennesaw State University’s Department of Theatre and Performance
Studies has been offered a unique and exciting opportunity to promote global education
and cultural exchange. The department’s production‚ “Monkey King‚” directed by Karen
Robinson and performed by KSU students‚ will be presented at the Shanghai Arts Festival
in December. The play‚ a Chinese classic retold by playwright and professor Margaret
Baldwin‚ also will be performed on campus November 15−20 in Howard Logan Stillwell
Theater.
“Monkey King” is being produced for Kennesaw State’s celebration of “The Year of China.”
“Monkey King” incorporates Chinese legends and folk tales to re−tell the story of
a monk who walks on foot from China to India to bring Buddhism to China. The tale
focuses on Monkey‚ a little trickster‚ on his search for immortality and powers. It
is a mix of satire‚ fantasy‚ adventure‚ action and religious allegory.
According to Ming Chen‚ the project director for the travel team and the production’s
costume and scenic designer‚ “Monkey King” is much more than just a play itself; it
is a performance art piece in which the process of making the play is as important
as the end product. She says it has been and will be a great cultural exchange experience
for both the artists and the audience who are involved in “Monkey King.” According
to Chen‚ an ancient Chinese saying‚ “Jing Di Zhi Wa‚” means a frog trapped in a well
sees the sky only as big as the opening of the well. Chen hopes that people of all
cultures will be willing to jump out of the well they are trapped in and make an effort
to reach to a better understanding of other cultures.
This will be the first overseas performance by KSU students. During the visit to China‚
students also will have the chance to experience China’s culture. Faculty members
of the team will give seminars and workshops at the academy and participate in post−show
discussions. This cultural exchange program is made possible‚ in part‚ by a generous
grant from the Coca−Cola Foundation and by a gracious offer from the host institution‚
Shanghai Theatre Academy‚ which will provide room‚ board and local transportation
for the team during its stay in Shanghai.
Tickets for the Nov. 15−20 performances at Kennesaw State are $15. Call the KSU Box
Office at 770−423−6650 for information and reservations.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population exceeding 18‚500 from 129 countries. The third largest state university
out of 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers more than 55
undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The KSU College of the Arts is one of only four public institutions in Georgia to
have achieved full national accreditation for all of its arts programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
