La Prensa
Arte Y Lifestyle
Interview by Jeannie Ramirez- Lead Singer of Singing Lady Revolution
ATX Stage Diversity
Jeannie begins her set of interviews with Ms. Christine Hoang, a playwright, screenwriter, producer, and performer of Austin, Texas.
Ms. Christine Hoang introduces her first musical, Romeo and Katrina. It is set in post-Katrina New Orleans. She will be holding auditions on February 29th at the Vortex Theater. Her focus will be on Asian and black actors.
Ms. Hoang adds that her first play, a comedy, was People Color Christmas, in which the protagonist, Gabriela, is a Mexican American who does not speak Spanish well. Although the play is a comedy, it underscores the pain from “common experiences” among people from diverse ethnicities.
Christine Hoang’s plays revolve around stories surrounding people of color “told in an authentic and truthful” manner.
Next, Jeannie interviews Mr. Kokoy Serverino of Kayumanggi Rock Band. He describes his band’s music as “Philippino traditional instrumentation… combined with modern stuff.” He calls it “pinoy rock.”
Mr. Serverino tells Jeannie that his trips to the Philippines inspired him to write his music. They both mention that minorities are starting to look to their cultural roots when working in their art. He adds that “shedding” ones cultural identity, then going through the process of regaining it through a struggle, is influential in their expression.
Jeannie shares a personal story about her connection with the Spanish language and her accent, noting that this experience of looking to cultural roots extends even in their different journeys.
Mr. Serverino tells of a historical connection between the Philippino and Spanish cultures when the Philippines were colonized by Spain. Hence, many Philippino people have Spanish surnames.
Jeannie’s next guest is Symply Courtney of People of Color Comedy Festival. He announces that the group is having a second annual comedy festival most likely in October. The group just finished the ATX Diversity Days Mixer event. He shares enthusiasm about completing thirty-four shows in thirty-four days culminating in his thirty-fourth birthday. Mr. Courtney ends his interview with a sample of his show in beatbox style. What a treat!
Jeannie then interviews Cindy Soo of Lucky Chaos Productions. Ms. Soo shares that Lucky Chaos Productions is working with Latin Comedy Project, Escandalo, and Sweet Water Purple on the People of Color Comedy Festival set for this October.
Her most recent collaboration included a show at the AISD Performing Arts Center. They are also getting involved in the community by making sure that ethnic diversities are represented in their role models.
After the interviews, the performers had a chance to express their views on being a person of color in the performing arts in Austin. Views included commentary on the struggles sand blazing trails for future performers of diverse ethnicities in Austin.
We are treated to a performance by Kayumanggi- Pinoy Rock Band after the interviews.
Joseline Revilla Martinez
