奇怪女兒

On April 27, 2009, I attended the East West Players Visionary Awards, an annual fundraiser for the East West Players. This was my second Visionary Awards and I was not disappointed. But before we get into that, a brief history about East West Players and my history with them.

The East West Players is essentially an Asian American theater group based here in Los Angeles, CA. They were established in 1965 as a place where people of Asian descent could perform, unrestricted by the roles Hollywood placed on them. 44 years later, the East West Players is going strong and producing many notable "alumni" such as Daniel Dae Kim, John Cho, Pat Morita, and B.D. Wong.

My first play with the East West Players was "M. Butterfly" years ago with my cousin Jeffrey. To be honest, I was in high school and more curious than anything. That and I wanted to spend time with my aunt and uncle. So when they asked if I wanted a subscription for the next season, I said yes. And this went on for years. I'm not even sure how many seasons I've been to...maybe four? Anyway, I have seen some amazing productions from the East West Players and some I didn't like so much. Many of the plays that are produced are about Asian Americans, but some shows such as "Be Like Water" deliver some pretty profound messages. My favorite musical production by the East West Players was "Pippin", but we'll get into that another time. Favorite play was probably "Proof" or "Durango".

Each year, the East West Players holds a fundraiser called the Visionary Awards. During the Visionary Awards there is a silent auction, dinner, and of course the awards. The following regarding the Visionary Awards was taken from the East West Players' website:

"The East West Players Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner is an award-winning event that salutes artists who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American community through theater, film and television. Proceeds from the evening will benefit East West Players educational and artistic programs."



Throughout the years, I have never kept up with the dancing world much. In fact, I don't keep up with much (classes included). The East West Players, however, had a different idea in mind. Starting last year, they began to present their "Breakout Performance" award. Last year, during their 42nd Visionary Awards, they presented it for the first time to the Jabbawockeez. At the time, I was completely taken with them. Not really obsessed or fangirl, but I was impressed. This year, they presented it to Quest Crew. Two out of three seasons, crews with members of Asian descent have won when America got to vote. This season, season three, a group that comprised of members that are all of Asian descent won. What’s it to me? Well, let’s take a look at my thinking for a brief ADHD moment.

The world isn’t ready for Asian Americans to make a strong presence, at least not yet. That’s always been my opinion. Slowly but surely we’re getting there. The odds always seem to be stacked against us when America gets to vote. The minority tends to go poof. It’s sad, but you all know it’s true. At the end of the day we grow to accept it and then in comes this group of guys, the first dance crew to win ABDC that has members that are all of Asian descent. They come in and they not only put on a good show, but they win. Well that changes my perspective on some things.

I was completely taken by Quest Crew. And kind of fangirly too.

I have never been taken with dancing much. Music and singing? Totally. Dancing? Well, that's new. I can talk forever about American Idol, Jay Chou, and the like! America's Best Dance Crew? Not a clue. I had to Google what "BBoy" meant and search Wikipedia for more clarification. For some odd reason or another, I continue to follow and learn about dancing so I can keep up with these young men. Despite the fact that I could easily get over Jabbawockeez (though it was fun to brag about seeing them for a while) and brush it off, this thing for Quest Crew lingers on.

So what's drawing me and millions of others in? For some it's because "they're soooooooooo cute!", so says the teeny bopper that was sitting behind me at NBA Nation. For others it’s because they simply admire their dancing. But for me, I think I see something obvious. I see ordinary people with extraordinary talent, extraordinary passion, and extraordinary drive. The rest seems to fall into place. I know people say it all the time, but how many of them actually mean it? How many of them can go up to them and talk to them and not feel those butterflies that you feel when you’re talking to someone special? You know, that nervous feeling and those darn butterflies you get when you get to meet a celebrity? I know you all know what I’m talking about.

They actually remind me immensely of a Mr. James Huynh who I hold dear to my heart despite the fact that he’s deathly afraid of California and his beliefs about the superiority of the West Coast over the East Coast clash drastically with my own. He is a topic of another time, and a big topic he is. 

I have been fortunate enough to meet them on two different occasions. As a fan, I expected the full onslaught of butterflies. Those stupid butterflies hit me all the time! But when they came one by one and I actually got to talk to them briefly? Nothing. As comfortable as if they were my sorority sisters. Slight exaggeration. My aunt even said, “They’re so humble, if you met them outside you’d never guess they were famous”. They’re gracious, humble, grateful, and thankful. They’re good folks: Ordinary people with some extraordinary parts to them. Even after knowing all this, there’s still the question of “Why them?”

I get asked this question a lot actually. People like to question why I like things and often times I simply respond with my universal answer of, “I just do”. After all this reflective writing, I think I know what it is. They are what I want to be. Not as dancers or as professionals, but as people.

They have succeeded in areas in which I have failed.
They go against the odds to do what they love and settle for nothing less.
They do what they do with a passion and not just to get by.
They dedicate themselves to their craft willingly and let discouraging words fuel them more.

And I suppose that that’s that. To think this was all prompted by an “essay contest” in the Ryan Conferido Facebook group. Don’t know if I should enter. Maybe? We’ll conclude this for now. Sorry if my ADHD was too much for you, I couldn't get a straight thought out.