The Asian Arts Institute will feature a new multi-disciplinary theatrical project, Philly Asian Futures.
Grayce Carson
In Philly Asian Futures, ordinary spaces transform into portals of imagination.
The new community-driven, multidisciplinary theatrical project from Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists invites you to step into a magical kitchen, time-travel through Chinatown, sip tea in a ritual ceremony, and wander through a performance garden. The brand-new “Living Museum” unfolds from Oct. 22 to 26 at Asian Arts Initiative (1219 Vine Street, 3rd floor).
Over the past year, this project brought together elders from across Philadelphia’s Pan-Asian communities to work with musicians, writers, dancers, and actors. Through a series of story circles led by Mieke D and Izzy Sazak, participants reflected on lived experiences, expectations, and hopes for the community’s collective future.
Visions of the future
“Inspired by conversations with dozens of Pan-Asian elders from around Philly, nine artists weave nine different visions of the future. The result is a kaleidoscope of possibilities — some dark, some bright, all personal. What will it mean to be Asian in Philly’s future? How do we hold onto identity and community through hard times? Philly Asian Futures reminds us that wherever we’re going, we’ll get there by imagining, creating, and making our voices heard,” says Joseph Ahmed, who will direct the performances along with Caitlin Alvarez and Bi Jean Ngo.
The installation-style works will highlight these intergenerational voices and various artistic forms to explore the continued struggles, resilience, and aspirations of Philadelphia’s Pan-Asian communities. Audiences will move through nine performance installations — part museum, part adventure, and all imagination — each offering a distinct vision of the future grounded in stories of the past and present.
The lineup
The works included are ‘Ancestors in Training Cooking School’ by Mieke D; ‘Amrita and Kalinda’s Most Excellent Adventure’ by Sarbani Hazra; ‘Birthright’ by Juptej Singh; ‘Bountiful Garden’ by Marcie Mamura; ‘Coming Home’ by Geatali Tampy; ‘Ninuno’ by Josh Marquez; ‘Pearls of Our Dragon’ by Alex Shaw; ‘Southeast Asian Time Nomad’ by Lex Thammavong; and ‘Tracer’ by Daniel Kim.
Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists is part of a new pilot venue model at Asian Arts Initiative, giving artists extended space for rehearsals, performances, and community gatherings. With partners like SEAMAAC, Al-Bustan, and the Chinatown Friends Senior Care Center, Philly Asian Futures celebrates art as a space for connection, reflection, and hope.
Following the performance on Oct. 26, audiences are invited to a free public forum, which will include dinner, roundtable discussions and interactive spaces, co-curated with Asian Americans United, to explore how art and activism can build connection and spark change.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite for the performances and public forum. For more information on Philly Asian Futures, visit phillyasianartists.com.