APA Spotlight: Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director, East West Players

APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APIA community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).

Tim has been artistic director of East West Players since 1993 and affiliated with the organization since 1980 in various capacities from actor to director to producer. Under his leadership, East West Players has grown from a 99-seat black box space to a professionally equipped 240-seat mid-sized theater, the David Henry Hwang Theater located in Los Angeles, CA.

In 2006, Tim played an instrumental role on the national steering committee which created the Next Big Bang: The Explosion of Asian American Theatre, the first-ever national convening of 200 APA arts leaders, academics and artists. Next Big Bang was the first in a series of annual conferences and festivals to promote and facilitate a national movement of Asian Pacific American performing arts. In 2009, he was recognized with the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, only the second arts leader in California to receive this prestigious honor. Tim is also on the board of Arts for LA.

East West Players directing credits include Imelda: A New Musical (World Premiere/New York Premiere), Pippin, Equus, Voices from Okinawa (World Premiere), Passion (Los Angeles Premiere), Nisei Widows Club, Pacific Overtures (Ovation Award), Sweeney Todd (Ovation Award), and Into the Woods. Tim has also directed at Singapore Repertory Theatre, PanAsian Repertory Theatre (New York), Asian American Theater Company (San Francisco), Mark Taper Forum New Works Festival, Celebration Theatre, West Coast Ensemble and Perseverance Theatre (Juneau, Alaska). Tim wrote the book and lyrics for the musical Beijing Spring, the lyrics for the musical Canton Jazz Club and was co-writer on The Nisei Widows Club and The Nisei Widows Club: Holiday on Thin Ice.

As the nation’s premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces outstanding works and educational programs that give voice to the Asian Pacific American experience.

What is the mission statement of your life?

As I get older, my mission in life is to celebrate (and appreciate) the cultural vitality that all the Asian American pacesetters have created and to build a nice mosaic of global richness upon which the next generation can take to an even greater level. I know it sounds lofty and idyllic. There is so much being done and so much still to be done that my mission now is to be an intergenerational bridge.

How did you end up doing what you’re doing?

I started out wanting to be an actor but when I came to East West Players, I was exposed to all the facets of theater production and administration. All this eventually led to more development of skills such as directing, producing, fundraising and running the theater.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Wow! If we’re talking about an Asian American blockbuster, I’d recommend Justin Chon as the young Tim Dang, then John Cho could play me as the more adult me. I heard he does a great impersonation of me which is a scary thought.

How can people find out more about your organization or get involved?

That’s an easy question. They can look us up online. We’re also on FB, Twitter, WordPress, Yelp, Wikipedia. We’re located in the heart of Little Tokyo Los Angeles in a culturally vibrant neighborhood near the Japanese American National Museum, Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Geffen Museum of Contemporary Art and hip eateries like Suehiro Cafe, Daikokuya, Senor Fish and Spitz. So come visit us if you’re in town.

If you had a crystal ball, what do you see for the future of the Asian Pacific Islander American community?

The Asian Pacific Islander community is gaining more and more visibility in America and with that more political clout and financial power. It’s great to see so many of the younger generation volunteering their time for worthy causes. All this adds up to a strengthened voice in America that will definitely play a leadership role on the American scene.

Bonus Question: What advice do you have for young professionals? Would you give different advice for young Asian Pacific Islander American professionals?

I’m going to sound old – don’t let technology rule you, but use technology to enhance your life. Virtual is exactly that. It’s virtual. It’s not the real thing. You need the real thing. Go out and experience life. Meet people in the flesh, not just online. Communicate face to face instead of just texting. I’m sure the Asian Pacific Islander American professionals are leading the way with technology so what is helping us lead the way may one day have a reverse effect. And catch a “live” performance at East West Players. Life is better “live”.

Also, learn something as a group, not just by going online and researching a topic. Enjoy the best of all possible worlds.

Bonus Question: What are your comfort foods and what memories do you have associated with them?

The sinful thing about the comfort foods is that I can find them all in Little Tokyo. All within a few blocks of where East West Players is. I grew up with spam musubi, gyoza, kimchee, and kalua pig. Of course, it reminds me of Hawaii where all the Asian foods blend together into this nice melting pot of diversity.

Bonus Question: What’s your guilty pleasure?

Oh boy. I look forward to a nice glass of red wine at the end of the day to “wine” down from a day that is typically crazy. Working with artists, being creative, raising money, and establishing partnerships can be hectic, but there is a time to relax and relish the accomplishments of the day.

Another guilty pleasure is that I love the sun. Sunshine. Growing up in Hawaii, the sun puts me in a great mood, and makes me feel good especially when times get rough. I guess that’s why I live in sunny Southern California.

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