All posts by Roger Tang

Support the She Devil Cast–GiveBIG Early!

Early giving is now live! Presented by 501Commons, GiveBIG carries the banner for Seattle’s non-profits, large and small, to magnify and gather funding for groups like PFP.

The first $750 in gifts gets matched, so scheduling your donation today can double your impact on May 3 and 4! 

Community supporters like you make our mission possible by helping us produce shows like The Brothers Paranormal and the New Providence steampunk plays.

In 2022, we are aiming for $6,000 to support our biggest production yet, She Devil of the China Seas, the true (more or less) story of the greatest pirate leader in history. We’re assembling one of the largest Asian American casts in recent history for this swashbuckling story that blends Chinese history and (yes, true believer!) Marvel comics! 

Schedule your gift now and help PFP keep making bright, bold, inclusive theatre!



Meet the Cast of SHE DEVIL!

At last, after extensive searches of the Puget Sound Asian American talent pool, PFP announces the cast for our big summer production, She Devil of the China Seas!

Heading the cast is Kristine Ota as Shih, the steel-eyed woman who rose from refugee to sex worker to pirate queen. Van Lan Pham is Cheng Ai,the pirate lord who’s more than her match. Anna Saephan is Shih’s sister, Xi, and Aaron Jin is Cheng Pao, adopted son of Cheng Ai and someone who has more than a passing fancy in Xi,



In opposition to this crew is ageless sorceress Wu Tsu, played by Eloisa Cardona, and the Man in the Golden Dragon mask. But who knows what role is played by Xuan Nu (Steph Sola), the goddess of war and love?

Rounding out the cast are Michael Latham, Alvina Hsiao, Archie Sugiyama, Kaughlin Caver, Michelle Lin, Dylan Smith and Andreya Pro. Carol Tagawa will understudy the role of Shih (and will be performing in a number of shows).

Shih knows one thing in life: survival. She clawed her way up from refugee using every means to support her injured sister. But when China’s pirate lord offers her a chance at something more, the sorceress Wu and her dark forces gather to destroy her before she can even accept…and fulfill a destiny from the gods! 

Based on the real-life pirate who commanded the largest pirate fleet in history, She Devil is one part true history, one part swashbuckler, one part Marvel comics = full length fun on stage in the mode of SHANG CHI and BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, complete with pirate queens, swords and sorcery!

She Devil of the China Seas is by PFP head honcho Roger Tang and directed by Kiefer Harrington. It will hit the Theatre Off Jackson August 11, 2022 and run through August 27, 2022. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest news on She Devil.

GiveBig to PFP for a Big Year of Art!

GiveBig to PFP for a Big Year of Art

GiveBIG, Seattle’s day of giving, returns May 3 and 4, 2022!  Co-ordinated by WashingtonGives and 501Commons, GiveBIGraises the banner for Seattle’s non-profits, large and small, to magnify funding for groups like Pork Filled Productions. 

Our goal for 2022 is our most ambitious yet! $6000 to produce and develop geek theatre (like our steampunk plays). And we imagine fantastical, inclusive, and FUN universes. The first $750 in gifts gets matched, so that doubles the wallop of your contribution!

 You got a taste of this with our Slow Cooker Unleashed!Reading  series with Cafe Nordo (and you know both groups have plans for Wolves on the Fold, The Rainshadow Distpatch and Autocorrect Thinks I’m Dead!)

But we’re not finished. Here are some things to look forward to:

  • In June, we are co-presenting, with ArtsWest, the world premiere of miku and the gods—you saw it emerging from our 2020 Unleashed program 

  • In August, we are bringing you the greatest pirate queen of all time in She Devil of the China Seas

  • And we have a super secret project coming up that’ll knock your socks off!

LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!                                     

Mark your calendars for GiveBIG on May 3 AND 4. Or avoid the rush and schedule your donation when early giving begins April 19. Keep an eye on our Facebook or Instagram accounts to stay current.

Get ready for GiveBig! And support PFP today!

2022 Seattle Asian American Film Festival About To Start!

Our friends at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival are celebrating their 10th Anniversary!

The Seattle Asian American Film Festival (SAAFF) proudly celebrates ten years of sharing Asian American independent films with the Pacific Northwest with its 10th annual film festival March 3–13, 2022. This year’s 11-day festival will offer 13 outstanding feature-length films and 12 exciting shorts programs, including 2 free programs.Due to continued pandemic precautions, there will be 5 limited in-person events, including 4 drive-in screenings andone special presentation screening at Northwest Film Forum (NWFF).

 

To kickstart the festival, this year’s Opening Night Party will be livestreamed on March 3 at 7:00PM PST. The evening will include performances and conversations with Massive Monkees, Chong the Nomad, and headlinerRuby Ibarra with host Prometheus Brown. Audience questions for the live Q&A with the performing artists may besubmitted at bit.ly/saaffON22.

 

The four drive-in screenings will showcase the Special Presentation feature films at The Stonehouse Cafe (9701 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118). Drive-in screening tickets are $35 per vehicle. They will also screen concurrentlyonline throughout the entire festival.

 

  • MARVELOUS AND THE BLACK HOLE (Opening Night Narrative – March 4 7:00PM PST) will premiere in Seattle and is a coming-of-age comedy that touches on unlikely friendships, grief, and finding hope in the darkest moments. A teenage delinquent befriends a surly magician who helps her navigate her inner demons and dysfunctional family with sleight of hand Limited tickets will be available for the online screening.
  • CANE FIRE with MALIHINI (Centerpiece Documentary – March 11 7:00PM PST) will premiere in Seattle and examines the past and present of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, interweaving four generations of family history, numerous Hollywood productions, and troves of found footage to create a kaleidoscopic portrait of the economic and cultural forces that have cast Indigenous and working-class residents as “extras” in their own
  • MALIHINI is a short film that will precede CANE FIRE. An introspective look into Hawaiian identity and living on the mainland, filmmaker Ha’aheo Auwae-Dekker uses a candid conversation with their mother to dissect and deconstruct where they come from and how their family has lived in
  • SEE YOU THEN (Centerpiece Narrative – March 12 6:00PM PST) is a drama about the reconnection of atransgender computer programmer and an Asian American performance artist who used to date in Over the course of a one night encounter, they engage in a series of increasingly intimate and revealing conversations, before a revelation sends everything spiraling out of control. SEE YOU THEN focuses on the universal truth that no matter how much you change, a part of you will always stay the same. Limited ticketswill be available for the online screening.
  • FREE CHOL SOO LEE (Closing Night Documentary – March 13 6:00PM PST) had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and will be making its Pacific Northwest premiere. The film chronicles the union of the Asian American community to free a Korean immigrant who was wrongly convicted of a 1973 SanFrancisco Chinatown gang murder. A former street hustler becomes the symbol for a landmark movement. But once out, he self-destructs, threatening the movement’s legacy and the man himself. Limited tickets willbe available for the online

Other Special Presentation screenings this year include:

  • AFTER YANG (Northwest Film Forum / March 5 9:30PM PST / General Ticket $13, On Sale Monday February 21) had its world premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. When his young daughter’s belovedcompanion — an android named Yang (Justin Min)

— malfunctions, Jake (Colin Farrell) searches for a way to repair him. In the process, Jake discovers the life that has been passing in front of him, reconnecting with his wife (Jodie Turner-Smith) and daughter (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja) across a distance he didn’t know was there.

  • TURNING RED (Online Exclusive Preview / March 10 / Free, First Come First Serve) is Disney and Pixar’s new animated film about a 13-year-old Mei Lee who “poofs” into a giant panda when she gets too excited (which for a teenager is practically ALWAYS). The screening will be followed by a pre-recorded Q&A with director Domee Shi, who helmed Pixar’s 2018 Oscar®-winning short BAO. The film launches exclusively onDisney+ on March

In addition to being the first decade milestone for SAAFF, this year marks the 80th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the 110th anniversary of the Titanic sinking. SAAFF’s 2022 program includes films that commemorateboth anniversaries. THE SIX tells the stories of the six Chinese men who survived the Titanic sinking and faced racism upon their arrival to New York in 1912. MANZANAR, DIVERTED: WHEN WATER BECOMES DUSTshowcases the

unexpected alliance of intergenerational women who are Japanese American World War II incarcerees, Native Americans, and environmentalists defending their local lands and water rights.

Media personnel can contact press@seattleaaff.org for film screeners in advance and interview requests. Requestfestival press passes here.

Other festival highlights include some of our short film programs:

  • The Call Your Mom shorts program explores the experience of motherhood. These films bring attention to thegenerational, cultural, and migrational disconnects between us and our mothers and other maternal
  • The Haru Haru: Korean American Shorts and Pamilya: Filipino/a/x Shorts are shorts programs that each speak to the unique experiences of their communities. Haru Haru: Korean American Shorts includes BJ’sMOBILE GIFT SHOP, a short film that premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Pamilya: Filipino/a/xShorts includes award winning films HONOR THY MOTHER, KALINGA (CARE), and LOLO.
  • The Reflections: Refugee Stories and Legacies shorts program highlights the experiences, stories, and lasting legacies of refugee communities. From their experiences building their own small businesses and community within the United States, to the second-generation young adults redefining their own relationship to America, these films capture the complexities, histories, healing, and pain of refugeecommunities and the futures that they have helped pave the way

 

Online Ticket Prices:

  • General Ticket: $10 | $8 (Discounted) | $20 (Household)
  • Festival Pass: $120
  • Shorts Pass: $80
  • Festival 6-Pack: $50

 

Other ticketing information:

  • Tickets for the shorts programs SAAFF Storytime and Not So New Normal: COVID-19 Shorts, Series 2 arepay-what-you-can.
  • All films with drive-in screenings also will be available for virtual
  • Viewers will be able to start watching at any time during the festival dates (12:00AM PST March 3, 2022 to11:59PM PDT March 13, 2022) after a purchase is made, and will have 48 hours to finish watching once theyclick

 

Visit bit.ly/saaff2022 to purchase passes, browse the online catalog, and buy tickets. Most screenings will befollowed by a pre-recorded Q&A with director(s) and/or cast and crew.

 

About SAAFF

SAAFF showcases works by Pacific Northwest Asian American filmmakers, as well as films from across North America dealing with Asian American people, issues, and themes. SAAFF is the only film festival in Seattle to provide a space for Asian American voices, perspectives, and histories. For more information about SAAFF, visitseattleaaff.org.

 

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Full Line-Up

 

Narrative Features

 

  • Not So New Normal: COVID-19 Shorts, Series 2
    • WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM?
    • YELLO
    • EXHAUSTED
    • THIRD CULTURE: ADOPTED STORY
    • ONLY ASIAN FRIEND
    • HOME AWAY FROM HOME
    • INVITED IN
  • Queer AF
    • I DON’T LIVE A VERY INTERESTING LIFE
    • IMPERFECTLY COMPLETE
    • F1-100
    • MUTYA
    • THO
    • BIGGER IS BETTER
  • Family Portraits
    • I FIND HIM IN THE WEATHER
    • GOOD NEWS
    • 1056 METRES
    • LONELY BLUE NIGHT
    • THE CHILDREN
    • THERE WAS NOBODY HERE
    • RASPBERRY
  • Sweet & Salty
    • WATERMELON SECRETS
    • HAVE YOU EATEN?
    • A BOWL FULL OF LOVE
    • KOTO: THE LAST SERVICE
    • LEFTOVERS
    • A HUNDRED JOYS
    • NO PLACE LIKE KASAMA
  • Snapshots
    • SHILPI
    • 婦人 (FUJIN)
    • MELT
    • SYNCHRONIZED
    • ASCEND: REFRAMING DISABILITY IN THE OUTDOORS
    • CASHBACK
    • ANYTHING FOR YOU
    • CONGRATULATIONS (MABROOK)
    • LIGHTNING
    • LEARNING TO DROWN
  • Growing Pains
    • JITTERS
    • TRILL
    • MAN BROWS
    • EXTRA CREDIT
    • ALIEN
    • AMERICANIZED
    • SINGLE BROWN MALE
    • POACHERS
    • WHAT WE FIND IN THE SEA

 

Auditions Now Open for SHE DEVIL OF THE CHINA SEAS

Auditions are now open for PFP’s She Devil of the China Seas, set for August 2022 at the Theatre Off Jackson.

Based on the real-life pirate who commanded the largest pirate fleet in history, “She Devil of the China Seas” is one part true history, one part swashbuckler, one part Marvel comics! In this show, Shih knows one thing in life: survival. She clawed her way up from refugee to sex worker to support her injured sister. But when China’s pirate lord offers her a chance at something more, the sorceress Wu and her dark forces gather to destroy her before she can fulfill a destiny from the gods! An action fantasy a la BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA and SHANG CHI, complete with pirate queens, swords, and sorcery!

AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition form (with space for video auditions) at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1l0ANEZywcoSWPHaM1CoJ3x1ZpxXM8u72wiweUOa9H6I/

Audition/Interview Dates: 
Auditions open immediately. Video submissions. Deadline February 28, 5 pm.

Callbacks March 22 and 26 at Theatre Puget Sound.

Audition Requirements: 

Seeking actors of all body sizes, genders, and physical abilities. 

Global Majority (BIPOC) actors, especially AAPI actors, are especially encouraged to audition. 

But roles require actors of ALL races/ethnicities.

Auditioners will be required to be vaccinated AND boosted. Actors called for callbacks will need to be masked, vaccinated and boosted.

Please note that there are specific needs in the script and we are working to cast as authentically as possible. Stage combat is a defining piece of this play. 

Sides from the play will be available for use as monologs. Actors may submit up to three sides of their choice, regardless of their fit to the character.

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/XI_SIDE_2022.pdf

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ZHONG_SIDE_2022.pdf

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SHIH_SIDE_2022.pdf

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PAO_SIDE_2022.pdf

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/WU_SIDE_2022.pdf

https://porkfilled.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AI_SIDE_2022.pdf

Cast breakdown

YI SHIH
Refugee/street worker/pirate. Can steamroller you with her sword, brains or personality. East or Southeast Asian F, 20s. Fighter.
YI XI
Sister to Shih. Early leg injury blinds her to her own power. East or Southeast Asian F, early 20s. Non-Fighter.
CHENG AI
Pirate leader, oozes testosterone and charisma. East or Southeast Asian M, 30s to 40s. Fighter.
CHENG PAO
Ai’s adopted son (won in a card game) and second in command, silver tongued, Any ethnicity M, mid 20s. Fighter.
XUAN NU
The Dark Lady of the Ninth Heaven. Goddess of war and erotic arts. Amused by the antics of humans. East Asian, any age. Doubles as fighter.
WU TSU
Immortal/sorceress. China First! (w/her leading China). East or Southeast Asian F, 20s to 50s. Non-fighter.
HUANG ZHONG
Middle-aged Asian male, sailor. Weaselly. Doubles as fighter.
HUANG LING
His young niece. Asian. Teens. Doubles as fighter.
JIN GUANG
Young Nobleman. East Asian M, 20s. Doubles as fighter.
PEI
Crewman in Ai’s fleet, Zhong’s buddy. Any ethnicity M, 20s to 30s. Doubles as fighter.
LI HUANG
Fellow pirate captain. East or Southeast Asian Ms, 20s to 30s. Fighter.
ASSORTED SAILORS & RUFFIANS
A mix of ages, genders and races, including white. Fighters.

Compensation: 

Actors will be paid a stipend of $500 (plus 1% of net) and receive a certification from the Society of American Fight Directors if they complete the 3-week stage combat intensive (free to participants). Approximate value of workshop is $500.

Rehearsal schedule

Extended rehearsal schedule to encompass a stage combat intensive training (and the uncertainties of a pandemic world). Completion of intensive will result in certification in Unarmed Combat from the Society of American Fight Directors (workshop is free to participants). (Note: Actors not cast as fighters, or actors already certified are not required to take this workshop)

Fight Intensive (Aimed at actors in fighting roles)
(9 hrs a week)
May 23 to June 13
(Note: this is a change!)
 
Rehearsals
(15 hrs a week max)
(Early May to June, primarily with principal actors)
Mid June to End of July (Will be scheduled around actors schedules)
This will start with development of fight choreography  (6-9 hours/week)
Work up 15 hours a week
Extended tech end of July until opening of show (20 hrs.week)
 
Performances at Theatre Off Jackson

Preview: Tues. 8/9
Opening: Thurs. 8/11
Closing: Sat 8/27

Thu-Sat 8/11-13 at 8:00 PM
Tue 8/16 at 8:00 PM
Thu-Sat 8/18-20 at 8:00 PM
Sun 8/21 at 2:00 PM
Tue 8/23 at 8:00 PM
Thu-Sat 8/25-27 at 8:00 PM

 

PFP and SAFD Team Up for Stage Combat Classes

The Society of American Fight Directors is working to Expand, Educate, Empower!

EEE allows underserved communities and organizations to receive 30 hours of training (free!) in a particular weapon discipline (e.g. unarmed, single sword, knife, etc.) from an SAFD Certified Teacher and Advanced Actor Combatant. The 30 hours of training will culminate in a Skills Proficiency Test to be adjudicated by a Fight Master, giving students the opportunity to certify in said discipline. Payment for Certified Teachers, Advanced Actor Combatants, and adjudication fees will be provided for by the Society of American Fight Directors or grant funding. The organization receiving the education will not be held responsible for these expenses.

The mission of “Expand, Educate, Empower” is to:

  1. Expand the outreach and diversity of the Society of American Fight Directors by connecting underserved artists and theatre professionals to stage combat professionals.
  2. Provide free access to stage combat education.
  3. Empower a more diverse cohort of theatre professionals.

Most of the slots are reserved for actors in our summer production, SHE DEVIL OF THE CHINA SEAS, but extra slots will be open to PFP alums and other BIPOC theatre artists. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements!

PFP Aims To Collaborate With Deaf Community With End of 2021 Campaign

End of 2021 Campaign

PFP is launching our first Year End Campaign!

We aim to raise $2,500 to ally with the Deaf community by developing a new world premiere play by an Asian American Deaf artist (with many Deaf actors in the cast!) for our Slow Cooker Unleashed, and to provide ASL interpreters for a Deaf Community Night for She-Devil of the China Seas

Already, we’ve raised $1,200 $1954 $2074 from donors!! We’d love for you to join this very cool initiative, which will build bridges from the Asian American community to the Deaf community.

Visit our giving portal (or click on the photo) and donate to PFP to help us reach our goal to bring fun, larger-than-life stories! Let’s meet our goal and a joyful 2022 for the Asian American and Deaf communities!!

Resilience! An AAPI 24-Hr Play Fest November 13

Through Covid and an ever-mounting tide of anti-Asian hate, Asian Americans have gone through the wringer in the past two years. Well, guess what—we’re still here, persisting and resisting all your efforts to stuff us into boxes to define us. We’re striking back with our whole voice, creating 7 new plays in 24 hours themed around resilience, representation and better, bolder futures.
Featuring the talents of nearly 40 AAPI writers, performers, directors, producers and technicians.
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STREAMING LIVE! Link to the stream will be sent in a day-of event reminder after the purchase of a ticket.
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Pork Filled Productions is using a Name-Your-Price structure to work with our audience and what they can afford to give. Thank you for supporting local theatre and local theatre artists.
If any cost is prohibitive, please reach out to porkfilled@gmail.com
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PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Nabilah Ahmed
Briana Bui
Eloisa Cardona
Matt Dela Cruz
Brian Dang
Stanley Dang
Omar Faust
Kuan Foo
Keiko Green
Kiefer Harrington
David Hsieh
Kathy Hsieh
Rebecca K. Hsia
Mimi Katano
Agastya Kohli
Greg Lam
Pearl Lam
David Le
Denny Le
Laura Lee Caudill
Maggie Lee
Christian Quinto
Rachel Rene Araucto
Zenaida Rose Smith
Anna Saephan
Steph Sola
Alyda Sorm
Tim Takechi
Roger Tang
Fune Tautala
Kendall Uyeji
Josh Valdez
Nina Williams-Teramachi
Christie Zhao

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WATCH PARTY   |  1-4 pm Sat 11/20 at Theatre Off Jackson

One week after the live stream, we’re creating a community space to watch a recording of the festival together and chat about the experience with food and fun!

Masks and proof of vaccination are required for entry. You must show a proof of vaccination at the door.

Admission is Pay-What-You-Will.* Drop a donation at the door – OR – RSVP in advance by donating in the form of a ticket HERE.

*This event is FREE to the creatives who took part in the fest: no RSVP required, simply give your name at the door.

Resilience! Is Coming!

PFP presents RESILIENCE! An AAPI 24-Hour Play Festival on November 13, 2021 at 8:00 PM PST.

Through Covid and an ever-mounting tide of anti-Asian hate, Asian Americans have gone through the wringer in the past two years. Well, guess what—we’re still here, persisting and resisting all your efforts to stuff us into boxes to define us. We’re striking back with our whole voice, creating 7 new plays in 24 hours themed around resilience, representation and better, bolder futures.

The festival performance will be live-streamed on PFP’s YouTube channel.

Link to tickets and the full list of the cast and crew to be announced in October.