The Lao American Writers Summit will welcome artist Nor Sanavongsay as one of our guest participants.
Nor Sanavongsay is an artist from Illinois. He is trained in both design and programming of interactive media. He's created award winning projects for retail giants such as Sears, Motorola, and many others. He is currently working on two children's book which he plans on publishing within the year. During his rare off-hours, he donates his time to design posters and flyers for many community services across the US. www.nawDsign.com
We look forward to seeing him at the Summit!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
July 27th declared Mali Kouanchao Day!
July 27th, 2010 will be declared Mali Kouanchao Day by the City of Minneapolis in a resolution to be introduced by city councilwoman Diane Hofstede during the August 6th meeting of the Minneapolis City Council. The day will be in recognition of the outstanding contributions of Lao American artist Mali Kouanchao to the community and cultural life of the city of Minneapolis, where Kouanchao resides.
July 27th is also Mali Kouanchao's birthday.
In the nomination letters requesting the resolution, Mali Kouanchao was cited for bringing national attention to Minneapolis as a leading Laotian American visual artist in the United States today. She is a resident of City Councilwoman Diane Hofstede's ward in Northeast Minneapolis.
Kouanchao was recently declared an Archbald Bush Artist's Fellow for her artwork highlighting the journey of Southeast Asian American refugees who, in 2010, mark 35 years since the end of the wars in Vietnam, Cambodia and her former homeland of Laos.
The fellowship is the largest artist grant in the Upper Midwest and one of only three open-application artist fellowships of this size in the United States. The Bush Artist Fellowships are designed to strengthen the work of regional artists, to foster their artistic careers and to explore work that stimulates community dialogue. The fellowships are awarded to artists who exhibit strong vision, creative energy, commitment to excellence and community engagement.
The State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans also recognized her this year with a Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts. In letters of nomination sent to the city council, it was noted that Mali Kouanchao has been a pioneer for the Lao refugee community, especially among the 25,000 Lao who make Minnesota their home today.
This summer, a children's book by the author Youme Landowne will be released about her life by the award-winning Cinco Punto Press. Mali Kouanchao's art has appeared around Minnesota, and she has been a positive influence on artists from all cultures and communities. She has received support from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, the Headwaters Fund and many others.
You can visit her website at http://www.djai.net/mali
July 27th is also Mali Kouanchao's birthday.
In the nomination letters requesting the resolution, Mali Kouanchao was cited for bringing national attention to Minneapolis as a leading Laotian American visual artist in the United States today. She is a resident of City Councilwoman Diane Hofstede's ward in Northeast Minneapolis.
Kouanchao was recently declared an Archbald Bush Artist's Fellow for her artwork highlighting the journey of Southeast Asian American refugees who, in 2010, mark 35 years since the end of the wars in Vietnam, Cambodia and her former homeland of Laos.
The fellowship is the largest artist grant in the Upper Midwest and one of only three open-application artist fellowships of this size in the United States. The Bush Artist Fellowships are designed to strengthen the work of regional artists, to foster their artistic careers and to explore work that stimulates community dialogue. The fellowships are awarded to artists who exhibit strong vision, creative energy, commitment to excellence and community engagement.
The State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans also recognized her this year with a Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts. In letters of nomination sent to the city council, it was noted that Mali Kouanchao has been a pioneer for the Lao refugee community, especially among the 25,000 Lao who make Minnesota their home today.
This summer, a children's book by the author Youme Landowne will be released about her life by the award-winning Cinco Punto Press. Mali Kouanchao's art has appeared around Minnesota, and she has been a positive influence on artists from all cultures and communities. She has received support from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, the Headwaters Fund and many others.
You can visit her website at http://www.djai.net/mali
Lao American Writers Profile: Bounheng Inversin
Bounheng Inversin was born in Savannakhet, Laos. She moved to Vientiane at the age of 9 when her father was appointed to the Supreme Court. She graduated from the Lycee the Vientiane with a Baccalaureate in French Literature and Philosophy. Bounheng Inversin married in 1974 and moved to the US with her American-born Swiss husband.
While raising her two sons in the US, she worked as substitute teacher and attended the University of Maryland at College Park where she graduated with B.S. in Community and Family Studies, B.A. in Spanish Literature, and a Certificate in Women Studies. Later on she attended graduate school and received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore with a concentration in Social Action. With her background in community activism, she is very engaged in empowering women and younger generation in her work with the Lao American Women Association (LAWA) of Washington D.C. where she took Lao American women's visibility to the mainstream as LAWA co-sponsored International Women's Conference and others.
She edited (with Danield Duffy) and translated "Mother's Beloved: Stories from Laos (1999) by UWPress. She is a contributor on Lao Rites of Passage for the upcoming publication "Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife" by Jonathan Lee and Kathleen Nadeau (2010) by Greenwood Pub. She was a guest lecturer on "Women and Culture" at the George Washington University in Washington DC and University of Maryland, has taught at the International Management Institute (IMI) of the American University in Washington, D.C. She also taught Lao Language and Culture at the South East Asia Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
With her fluency and ease in languages, she finds flexibility as an independent consultant on languages for numerous semi-private establishments and various federal agencies (she has had the honor to fly to Phuket, Thailand to interpret for US Secretary Hilary Clinton on her attending the ASEAN Summit last year and this year upon her meeting with the Lao Deputy PM when he recently visited the US).
She resides in MD with her husband who is a retired engineer and an avid organic gardener. This year they'll celebrate their 36th anniversary in October. She travels extensively, for learning is a lifelong endeavor. In her stationary times, she volunteers at the Library of Congress-Asian Division, at the Smithsonian Institution-Sackler Library, and her local Buddhist temple where she recently set up school of Engaged Buddhist with lessons on Buddhism for young generation. She is fluent in Lao, English, French, Spanish, and some American Sign Language (ASL) which she studied at the Gallaudet University. About a year ago, she began learning to play Ranat Ek, Kim (Dulcimer), and So U (two-string bass Lao folk fiddle)
We look forward to her joining us during the Lao American Writers Summit!
While raising her two sons in the US, she worked as substitute teacher and attended the University of Maryland at College Park where she graduated with B.S. in Community and Family Studies, B.A. in Spanish Literature, and a Certificate in Women Studies. Later on she attended graduate school and received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland at Baltimore with a concentration in Social Action. With her background in community activism, she is very engaged in empowering women and younger generation in her work with the Lao American Women Association (LAWA) of Washington D.C. where she took Lao American women's visibility to the mainstream as LAWA co-sponsored International Women's Conference and others.
She edited (with Danield Duffy) and translated "Mother's Beloved: Stories from Laos (1999) by UWPress. She is a contributor on Lao Rites of Passage for the upcoming publication "Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife" by Jonathan Lee and Kathleen Nadeau (2010) by Greenwood Pub. She was a guest lecturer on "Women and Culture" at the George Washington University in Washington DC and University of Maryland, has taught at the International Management Institute (IMI) of the American University in Washington, D.C. She also taught Lao Language and Culture at the South East Asia Studies Summer Institute (SEASSI) at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
With her fluency and ease in languages, she finds flexibility as an independent consultant on languages for numerous semi-private establishments and various federal agencies (she has had the honor to fly to Phuket, Thailand to interpret for US Secretary Hilary Clinton on her attending the ASEAN Summit last year and this year upon her meeting with the Lao Deputy PM when he recently visited the US).
She resides in MD with her husband who is a retired engineer and an avid organic gardener. This year they'll celebrate their 36th anniversary in October. She travels extensively, for learning is a lifelong endeavor. In her stationary times, she volunteers at the Library of Congress-Asian Division, at the Smithsonian Institution-Sackler Library, and her local Buddhist temple where she recently set up school of Engaged Buddhist with lessons on Buddhism for young generation. She is fluent in Lao, English, French, Spanish, and some American Sign Language (ASL) which she studied at the Gallaudet University. About a year ago, she began learning to play Ranat Ek, Kim (Dulcimer), and So U (two-string bass Lao folk fiddle)
We look forward to her joining us during the Lao American Writers Summit!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thanks to the Lao American Writers Summit Sponsors
We wish to thank the following individuals, families and sponsors for their generous support of our efforts through financial donations and material contributions:
Contributor: $1 to $99
Asian Arts Initiative
Barnes and Noble (Door prize donations)
Lao American Outreach
Lao Women's Association
Leanna Lappine
Legacies of War
Half Price Books (Door prize donations)
Maekalah Kajsiab Ratsabout
Zakarin Lee Ratsabout
The Silosoth Family
Swan Scythe Press
The Worra Family
Sponsor:$100 to $199
University of Minnesota Asian American Studies Program
Patron: $200 to $1,000
Asian American Press
Asian Media Access
Association for Asian American Studies
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
ELao Productions
Ketmani Kouanchao and Family
Mali Kouanchao and Mike Davis
Lao Artists Festival of Elgin, Illinois
Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island
Reflections Within, LLC
Refugee Nation and Theater TeAda
KP Actors Gym
The Phaengdara Family
Catzie Vilayphonh and Family
Saymoukda Vongsay
Major Sponsor: $1000 to $5,000+
The Bounchareunsouk Family
The Jerome Foundation
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Loft Literary Center
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Minneapolis Foundation Santa Anonymous Fund
Contributor: $1 to $99
Asian Arts Initiative
Barnes and Noble (Door prize donations)
Lao American Outreach
Lao Women's Association
Leanna Lappine
Legacies of War
Half Price Books (Door prize donations)
Maekalah Kajsiab Ratsabout
Zakarin Lee Ratsabout
The Silosoth Family
Swan Scythe Press
The Worra Family
Sponsor:$100 to $199
University of Minnesota Asian American Studies Program
Patron: $200 to $1,000
Asian American Press
Asian Media Access
Association for Asian American Studies
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
ELao Productions
Ketmani Kouanchao and Family
Mali Kouanchao and Mike Davis
Lao Artists Festival of Elgin, Illinois
Laotian Community Center of Rhode Island
Reflections Within, LLC
Refugee Nation and Theater TeAda
KP Actors Gym
The Phaengdara Family
Catzie Vilayphonh and Family
Saymoukda Vongsay
Major Sponsor: $1000 to $5,000+
The Bounchareunsouk Family
The Jerome Foundation
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Loft Literary Center
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Minneapolis Foundation Santa Anonymous Fund
Adisack Nhouyvanisvong to present at Lao American Writers Summit
We are pleased to confirm the attendance of Lao American community activist and writer Adisack Nhouyvansivong at the Lao American Writers Summit.
As a graduate student in 1995, Adisack Nhouyvanisvong co-founded the SatJaDham Lao Literary Project, a grass-roots organization established to promote the Lao literary arts. From 1996 to 2002, SatJaDham hosted six national conferences. Today, Adisack no longer writes literature; instead he writes research papers as he makes his day job as a senior director of psychometric services at an educational testing company. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and two lovely daughters.
We are excited to have his presence at the Lao American Writers Summit and look forward to seeing where his current efforts are taking him.
As a graduate student in 1995, Adisack Nhouyvanisvong co-founded the SatJaDham Lao Literary Project, a grass-roots organization established to promote the Lao literary arts. From 1996 to 2002, SatJaDham hosted six national conferences. Today, Adisack no longer writes literature; instead he writes research papers as he makes his day job as a senior director of psychometric services at an educational testing company. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and two lovely daughters.
We are excited to have his presence at the Lao American Writers Summit and look forward to seeing where his current efforts are taking him.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Updated speakers coming to the Lao American Writers Summit
Confirmed writers who will be attending include:
LEILANI CHAN
Leilani Chan is a nationally known performance artist and Founding Artistic Director of TeAda Productions. For over ten years, TeAda Productions cross-disciplinary performances have addressed health, education, and social justice issues of communities of color. Ms. Chan received the 2009 Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival Rainbow Award. She is a founding member of the National Coalition of Asian American Theaters & Artists and Legacies of War. Leilani co-creator of "Refugee Nation," a play about Laotian refugees in the U.S. Her work, including two solo shows "E Nana I Ke Kumu" and "Tita on the Run," has been presented across the country. Leilani has participated in UCLA's World Arts and Culture HOTHOUSE and TCG/Center Theater Group's Solo Performance Workshop led by Roger G. Smith. Her performance installation "Life as a Dashboard Hula Dancer" has been presented as part of Guillermo Gomez-Peña's La Pocha Nostra at LACMA and FITLA. Born and raised in Hawai’i, Leilani attended Hampshire College and obtained her M.F.A. from U.C. Irvine.
BOUNHENG INVERSIN
Boungheng Inversin is a prominent Asian American activist and community member who has played a prominent role in Laotian refugee resettlement through her involvement with the Lao American Women's Association in Washington D.C. and many other causes. With Daniel Duffy, she edited the 1999 short story collection of Outhine Bounyavong, Mother's Beloved:Stories from Laos,, presented by the University of Washington Press.
PHAYVANH LUEKHAMHAN
Phayvanh Luekhamhan was born in Champasak, Laos in 1975. She is a Juried Artist with the Vermont Arts Council. She has written poetry for performances and exhibits throughout New England for over ten years. Her work has appeared in Bakka Magazine, Chrysalis Education; Vermont Folklife Center Archives, and The Commons. She has held artist residency fellowships at The Vermont Studio Center (2004) and the Kundiman Foundation's Emerging Asian American Poets' Retreat (2005 & 2006). You can visit her at www.phayvanh.com
KP PHAGNASAY
Khetphet Phagnasay was born in Laos. His family escaped in 1979 from the communist government to find a better future in America. KP earned his B.A in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno, then pursued his MFA in Acting from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he studied Asian Theatre forms. KP is an Actor, Director, Playwright, and Acting coach for over 15 years. As an acting coach, he has taught at various studios in California and Hawaii.
He has worked and trained in many of the theater organizations, and talent agencies, and has helped cast talents, and translators for many projects like Lost (Thai- Laotian actors) , Finding Hope Now (Asian cast), California Babies First (South-East Asian mothers) , San Jose Juvenile Center (Vietnamese voice over/translator) various other commercials , and voice overs for non specific roles. KP has been featured in commercials, film/television such as Lost,Hawaii, Northshore, independent films and local theatre. KP worked on the feature film Finding Hope Now and is well known with non-profit organizations as a consultant or committee member to groups including FIRM, Stone Soup, and Asian Fest, Better Healthy Community Initiative, California Arts Endowment, and South-East Asian Writers/Artists, and LA’s East-West Players Asian Theater Company.
MALI PHONPADITH
Mali Phonpadith is a Lao American writer/poet. She is the co-founder of Reflections Within, LLC and she has been writing poetry, short essays, and short stories for over 20 years internationally. She has over 400 pieces of written work and was nominated as “Best Poet of the Year” by the International Society of Poets in 2007. Mali has been a tireless activist within the community, and often volunteers many hours and resources to the causes she loves, including the Young Professional Leadership Group, the International Society of Poets, the National Association for Women Business Owners, the Lao Heritage Foundation, Arts of Falls Church and is an active volunteer with Teatro de la Luna. www.reflectionswithin.com
THAVISOUK PHRASAVATH
2009 Academy Award (Oscar) and Film Independent Spirit Award nominated Thavisouk Phrasavath is an accepted member of WGAW (Writer Guild of America West). Also a creative consultant for film, television and other media, Thavi has directed documentaries, dramatic short and music video for independent record label and artists, published poetry and won awards for paintings and illustrations. Author of the upcoming book “Step Out of the Womb” (Memoir of the Journey to Land Where the Sun Fall) and “Old seed on The Soil” (Planting Generation) and a new screenplay for his upcoming feature “Lover Beloved”. His background in community work includes assisting Gang Prevention for Youth and Family Crisis Intervention and working with the police as a liaison and consultant for the Lao community. Thavi has consulted for the New York City Board of Education. The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) was the film that he was both subject and a filmmaker.
OVA SAOPENG
Ova Saopeng is an actor and writer from Los Angeles, he was born in Savannakhet, Laos and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a TeAda Productions Company Artist and co-creator of "Refugee Nation" a play about the Lao-American experience, based on the stories Lao communities across the U.S. (www.refugeenation.com). He received his B.A. in Theater from the University of Southern California and since then has performed nationally with theater companies including the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis, Mark Taper Forum/P.L.A.Y., East West Players, and hereandnow. He is a member of We Tell Stories and Water's Edge Theater children's theater companies.
CATZIE VILAYPHONH
Catzie Vilayphonh is a Lao American writer and performer. A child of refugees, she was born prematurely on the way to America, and considers herself part of the ".5 Generation". A member of the spoken word duo Yellow Rage, Catzie appeared on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam in 2001 and performs at various venues across the country. She has performed with Ursula Rucker, Sarah Jones, Danny Hoch, Beau Sia and I Was Born with Two Tongues. Vilayphonh was the Fashion Director for two.one.five magazine in Philadelphia, where she also wrote her weekly column Catz Out The Bag interviewing everyone from designers to directors and artists to actors. She was also the Transmit Editor for Theme Magazine, a contemporary Asian American culture publication based out of New York. Visit her at www.yellowrage.com
SAYMOUKDA VONGSAY
Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay is the Lao American author of No Regrets, a collection of poetry and haikus published by Baby Rabbit Publishing. Her work has been published by Altra Magazine, the Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement, and Bakka Literary Journal, to name a few.
A Minnesota-based spoken word poet, she has performed and taught creative writing workshops nationally across the United States and internationally in Italy and Japan. She has worked with the Anchorage Urban League of Young Professionals lecturing and performing at the university-level and local high schools to urge voter registration and civic engagement and also served as liaison between local government and the Southeast Asian community regarding public policy.
Vongsay is a co-founding member of The Unit, a collective of emerging playwrights of color. Her short plays are staged at The Minnesota Playwrights’ Center. Her piece, Yellowtail Sashimi, will be part of the 2010 MN Fringe Festival's line-up this summer. She is a co-chair of the first Lao American Writers Summit in Minnesota and has worked actively to support the work of Lao women writers and artists across the country to celebrate heritage, diversity and community development.
BRYAN THAO WORRA
Bryan Thao Worra is a 2009 NEA Fellow in Literature, Laotian American writer and the literary editor for Tripmaster Monkey Magazine and Bakka Magazine. His work is featured in over 70 international publications and his work is taught in schools around the world. He is the author of 5 collections of poetry including On The Other Side Of The Eye, Touching Detonations, The Tuk-Tuk Diaries: My Dinner With Cluster Bombs, Winter Ink and Barrow. Currently residing in North Minneapolis, he is a Many Voices Fellow of the MN Playwrights Center, and has received support from the MN State Arts Board and the Loft Literary Center Career Initiative Grant. He received a 2009 Asian Pacific Leadership Award for the Arts from state Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. You can visit him at http://thaoworra.blogspot.com
Additional writers will be added as final confirmations are received!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Saymoukda Vongsay brings OPERATION GYNOCRACY 7/28.
Lao American writer Saymoukda Vongsay is organizing OPERATION GYNOCRACY: A 1 Night Stand With 12 Women on July 28th, Wednesday, from 7:00pm - 10:00pm at the famous Black Dog Cafe on 308 Prince St. #100, Saint Paul, MN.
Curated with May Lee-Yang and featuring DJ Kool Akiem on the 1s and 2s, "Nothing is sacred, politically correct, or too sensitive to touch as twelve women will let the kitty out of the bag through poetry, prose, song, and laughter." They're also offering *** FREE GOODIE BAGS TO THE FIRST 15 WOMEN!! ***
Featured talents so far include a who's who of amazing Twin Cities artists including: Mysnikol Miller, Kelly Fallows, Linda Chanda, Alison Morse, Andrea Jenkins, Lori Young-Williams, Tene Morgan, Rachel Austin Bernstein, Pachee Moua, Heidi Berg, Carrie Stark, and Eva Song Margolis!
Happy Hour 7pm – 9pm and the event is open to ALL ages. They are requesting donations $5 or any amount. This is a benefit show for the Lao Writer Development Fund and to promote May Lee-Yang's Fringe show, "Confessions of a Lazy Hmong Woman." All proceeds will go towards the Lao American Writer Development Fund.
Curated with May Lee-Yang and featuring DJ Kool Akiem on the 1s and 2s, "Nothing is sacred, politically correct, or too sensitive to touch as twelve women will let the kitty out of the bag through poetry, prose, song, and laughter." They're also offering *** FREE GOODIE BAGS TO THE FIRST 15 WOMEN!! ***
Featured talents so far include a who's who of amazing Twin Cities artists including: Mysnikol Miller, Kelly Fallows, Linda Chanda, Alison Morse, Andrea Jenkins, Lori Young-Williams, Tene Morgan, Rachel Austin Bernstein, Pachee Moua, Heidi Berg, Carrie Stark, and Eva Song Margolis!
Happy Hour 7pm – 9pm and the event is open to ALL ages. They are requesting donations $5 or any amount. This is a benefit show for the Lao Writer Development Fund and to promote May Lee-Yang's Fringe show, "Confessions of a Lazy Hmong Woman." All proceeds will go towards the Lao American Writer Development Fund.
Lao American Writers Summit Free for 50 Lao Youth
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Nearkhoon nominated for an Emmy!
The film, Nerakhoon, has been nominated for an Emmy! We look forward to seeing co-director and subject Thavisouk Phrasavath in MN next month!
The news was announced on POV - Blog . Emmy Nominations for Patti Smith and Nerakhoon! | PBS that two POV films have received nominations for a primetime Emmy award in the Exceptional Merit In Nonfiction Filmmaking category.
The news was announced on POV - Blog . Emmy Nominations for Patti Smith and Nerakhoon! | PBS that two POV films have received nominations for a primetime Emmy award in the Exceptional Merit In Nonfiction Filmmaking category.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Leilani Chan to attend Lao American Writers Summit!
Leilani Chan is a nationally known performance artist and Founding Artistic Director of TeAda Productions. For over ten years, TeAda Productions' cross-disciplinary performances have addressed health, education, and social justice issues of communities of color.
Ms. Chan received the 2009 Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival Rainbow Award. She is a founding member of the National Coalition of Asian American Theaters & Artists and Legacies of War. Leilani is co-creator of "Refugee Nation," a play about Laotian refugees in the U.S. Her work, including two solo shows "E Nana I Ke Kumu" and "Tita on the Run," has been presented across the country.
Leilani has participated in UCLA's World Arts and Culture HOTHOUSE and TCG/Center Theater Group's Solo Performance Workshop led by Roger G. Smith. Her performance installation "Life as a Dashboard Hula Dancer" has been presented as part of Guillermo Gomez-Peña's La Pocha Nostra at LACMA and FITLA.
Born and raised in Hawai’i, Leilani attended Hampshire College and obtained her M.F.A. from U.C. Irvine. She is married to Lao American actor and writer Ova Saopeng. We look forward to having her join us!
Ms. Chan received the 2009 Los Angeles Women’s Theater Festival Rainbow Award. She is a founding member of the National Coalition of Asian American Theaters & Artists and Legacies of War. Leilani is co-creator of "Refugee Nation," a play about Laotian refugees in the U.S. Her work, including two solo shows "E Nana I Ke Kumu" and "Tita on the Run," has been presented across the country.
Leilani has participated in UCLA's World Arts and Culture HOTHOUSE and TCG/Center Theater Group's Solo Performance Workshop led by Roger G. Smith. Her performance installation "Life as a Dashboard Hula Dancer" has been presented as part of Guillermo Gomez-Peña's La Pocha Nostra at LACMA and FITLA.
Born and raised in Hawai’i, Leilani attended Hampshire College and obtained her M.F.A. from U.C. Irvine. She is married to Lao American actor and writer Ova Saopeng. We look forward to having her join us!
Friday, July 2, 2010
KP Phagnasay to attend Lao American Writers Summit!
One of the writers who will be speaking and presenting at the Lao American Writers Summit is KP Phagnasay from Fresno, California.
Khetphet Phagnasay was born in Laos. His family escaped in 1979 from the communist government to find a better future in America. KP earned his B.A in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno, then pursued his MFA in Acting from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he studied Asian Theatre forms. KP is an Actor, Director, Playwright, and Acting coach for over 15 years. As an acting coach, he has taught at various studios in California and Hawaii.
He has worked and trained in many of the theater organizations, and talent agencies, and has helped cast talents, and translators for many projects like Lost (Thai- Laotian actors) , Finding Hope Now (Asian cast), California Babies First (South-East Asian mothers) , San Jose Juvenile Center (Vietnamese voice over/ translator) various other commercials , and voice overs for non-specific roles.
As an actor, KPs has been featured in commercials, film/television such as Lost,Hawaii,Northshore, independent films , local theatre, etc. KP worked on the feature film Finding Hope Now as both the Acting Coach and as an actor. KP is well known with various non-profit organizations often sitting as consultant, or committee member to groups such as FIRM, Stone Soup, and Asian Fest, Better Healthy Community Initiative, California Arts Endowment, and South-East Asian Writers/Artists, LA’s East-West Players Asian Theater Company, working with, training and developing acting workshops, and performance pieces that most relate to the Asian community and Culture.
He has toured with PASSAGES (stories of Refugee experiences) production- (honored by the State of California) in Japan and various cities, and sang lead in a Chinese Opera Group in China and Hawaii. He also tours with his one man show focusing on growing up in Laos through the eyes of a 5 year old child.
Staying loyal to his heritage and to all south-east Asian refugee generations and other Asian communities, KP keeps his focus on bringing out the talents of those communities for many issues and offerings. KP constantly works to bridge the gap to bring all talents into the mix.
We look forward to seeing his work and presentations at the summit!
Khetphet Phagnasay was born in Laos. His family escaped in 1979 from the communist government to find a better future in America. KP earned his B.A in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno, then pursued his MFA in Acting from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where he studied Asian Theatre forms. KP is an Actor, Director, Playwright, and Acting coach for over 15 years. As an acting coach, he has taught at various studios in California and Hawaii.
He has worked and trained in many of the theater organizations, and talent agencies, and has helped cast talents, and translators for many projects like Lost (Thai- Laotian actors) , Finding Hope Now (Asian cast), California Babies First (South-East Asian mothers) , San Jose Juvenile Center (Vietnamese voice over/ translator) various other commercials , and voice overs for non-specific roles.
As an actor, KPs has been featured in commercials, film/television such as Lost,Hawaii,Northshore, independent films , local theatre, etc. KP worked on the feature film Finding Hope Now as both the Acting Coach and as an actor. KP is well known with various non-profit organizations often sitting as consultant, or committee member to groups such as FIRM, Stone Soup, and Asian Fest, Better Healthy Community Initiative, California Arts Endowment, and South-East Asian Writers/Artists, LA’s East-West Players Asian Theater Company, working with, training and developing acting workshops, and performance pieces that most relate to the Asian community and Culture.
He has toured with PASSAGES (stories of Refugee experiences) production- (honored by the State of California) in Japan and various cities, and sang lead in a Chinese Opera Group in China and Hawaii. He also tours with his one man show focusing on growing up in Laos through the eyes of a 5 year old child.
Staying loyal to his heritage and to all south-east Asian refugee generations and other Asian communities, KP keeps his focus on bringing out the talents of those communities for many issues and offerings. KP constantly works to bridge the gap to bring all talents into the mix.
We look forward to seeing his work and presentations at the summit!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Loft Literary Center Blog highlights the Lao American Writers Summit!
The Lao American Writers Summit was mentioned on the blog of the Loft Literary Center:
http://www.loft.org/writersblock/2010/06/30/lao-american-writers-summit/
Incorporated in 1975, The Loft Literary Center is the nation’s largest independent literary center. The Loft supports the artistic development of writers, fosters a writing community, and builds an audience for literature. Thousands of students register for Loft creative writing courses each year; thousands more participate in Loft readings and other events. Loft competitions, grants, and honoraria help authors pursue the writing life. Loft publications and its website bring the writing life home to literature lovers everywhere. The list of acclaimed authors who have appeared at the Loft over the years reads like a Who’s Who of American letters.
http://www.loft.org/writersblock/2010/06/30/lao-american-writers-summit/
Incorporated in 1975, The Loft Literary Center is the nation’s largest independent literary center. The Loft supports the artistic development of writers, fosters a writing community, and builds an audience for literature. Thousands of students register for Loft creative writing courses each year; thousands more participate in Loft readings and other events. Loft competitions, grants, and honoraria help authors pursue the writing life. Loft publications and its website bring the writing life home to literature lovers everywhere. The list of acclaimed authors who have appeared at the Loft over the years reads like a Who’s Who of American letters.
Thanks to our new interns!
Bop Phothisane, Manysavanh Phothisane, and Alex Nok Phasy have all graciously agreed to serve as volunteers for the Lao American Writers Summit in August. We look forward to working with them in the future!
Follow the Lao American Writers Summit on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/laowriters, is the official twitter feed of the Lao American Writers Summit, updated daily with news and additional opportunities for writers and artists.
New sponsors: Association for Asian American Studies
The Lao American Writers Summit is pleased to add the Association for Asian American Studies as a 2010 sponsor.
The Association for Asian American Studies was founded in 1979 for the purpose of advancing the highest professional standard of excellence in teaching and research in the field of Asian American Studies; promoting better understanding and closer ties between and among various sub-components within Asian American Studies: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Hawai'ian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander, and other groups. AAAS sponsors professional activities to facilitate increased communication and scholarly exchange among teachers, researchers, and students in the field of Asian American Studies. The organization advocates and represents the interests and welfare of Asian American Studies and Asian Americans. AAAS is also founded for the purpose of educating American society about the history and aspirations of Asian American ethnic minorities.
We express our sincere thanks for their support! It means a great deal to us!
The Association for Asian American Studies was founded in 1979 for the purpose of advancing the highest professional standard of excellence in teaching and research in the field of Asian American Studies; promoting better understanding and closer ties between and among various sub-components within Asian American Studies: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Hawai'ian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander, and other groups. AAAS sponsors professional activities to facilitate increased communication and scholarly exchange among teachers, researchers, and students in the field of Asian American Studies. The organization advocates and represents the interests and welfare of Asian American Studies and Asian Americans. AAAS is also founded for the purpose of educating American society about the history and aspirations of Asian American ethnic minorities.
We express our sincere thanks for their support! It means a great deal to us!
Updated biography for Thavisouk Phrasavath
2009 Academy Award (Oscar) and Film Independent Spirit Award nominated Thavisouk Phrasavath is an accepted member of WGAW (Writer Guild of America West). Also a creative consultant for Film and Television and other media. Thavi has directed documentaries, dramatic short and music video for independent record label and artists, published poetry and won awards for paintings and illustrations. Author of the upcoming book “Step Out of the Womb” (Memoir of the journey to land where the sun fall) and “Old seed on The Soil” (Planting Generation) and a new screenplay for his upcoming feature “Lover Beloved”. His background in community work includes assisting Gang Prevention for Youth and Family Crisis Intervention and working with the police as a liaison and consultant for the Lao community. Thavi has consulted for the New York City Board of Education. The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) was the film that he was both subject and a filmmaker.
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