ANNOUNCING THE SECOND COHORT OF PROJECT YZ ARTISTS
Launched in 2022, Project YZ is Yangtze Rep’s first residency program with a goal to support and build an artistic home for AAPI immigrant artists. Project YZ encourages its resident artists to connect with their artistic impulses, push boundaries, and give back to the community. Now in its second year, we are shifting focus to support the artistic journey of each resident artist. We envision a process that values open dialogue, honest conversation, and bold endeavors. We want to create a sense of belonging through artistic discovery. In addition to $10,000 in direct support, the one-year residency program will offer professional development and research opportunities.
Read the Press Release to learn more.
Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin (they/she) is a writer, performer, educator, and new work advocate. Kaela's plays include Call Out Culture (2022 O'Neill NPC Finalist, 2021 NADIA Festival, 2019 Ars Nova’s ANTFest), High School Coven (2023 Strand Theatre Baltimore Production, 2017 Corkscrew Festival), Harpers Ferry 2019 (2022 Know Theatre of Cincinnati production, 2021 Kendeda finalist), Tiger Beat (2021 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2021 Seven Devils Conference finalist), and The Well-Tempered Clavier (2020 BAPF finalist, 2019 Paul Stephen Lim Award.) Kaela has received six Kennedy Center awards and has developed work with the Alliance Theater, Gingold Theatrical Group, Exquisite Corpse Company, The Road’s Under Construction Lab, the Coop’s Clusterf*ck, Playground-NY, and Pipeline Theater Company’s Playlab. Commissions include work with EST/Sloan, Montana Repertory Theater, Luna Stage, and College of the Holy Cross. Garvin is the Tank’s 2022 & 2023 Pridefest curator and a founding member of Undiscovered Countries, a Brooklyn-based incubator of new interdisciplinary art. They worked on staff at the Sewanee Writers Conference and as the BAPF Season 45 Play Selection Advisor at the Playwrights Foundation. Kaela has taught playwriting at Cornish College of the Arts, Freehold Theatre, and Indiana University. They currently work as the Programming Associate for the Tank NYC and the Literary Manager for Luna Stage in New Jersey. www.kaelameishinggarvin.com
Photo credit: Leilani Carr
David Lee Huynh is a first-generation Việt-American artist based in New York City. His Off-Broadway credits include the critically acclaimed six hour revival of Shakespeare's Henry VI (NAATCO), Once Upon A (korean) Time (Ma-Yi Theatre Company), The Merchant of Venice (Theatre for a New Audience/Shakespeare Theatre), No-No Boy and The Emperor’s Nightingale (Pan Asian Repertory Theatre). His television/film credits include starring in the official Dungeon and Dragon actual play series 𝘌𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺, Blue Bloods, FBI, Solitary, and Children of the Dust. His voiceover career includes credits on "Star Wars: The Battle of Jedha", "Minecraft: The Shipwreck", and Tom Hanks' debut novel "The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece." TEDx Speaker: “Asian Enough?” Founding member of The Sống Collective, an organization devoted to the artistic growth and development of the Việt diaspora in America. MFA: University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program | www.davidleehuynh.com
Who is eligible?
Self-identified AAPI immigrant artists, creators and story tellers. Teams are welcome to apply. We believe everyone in this country is an immigrant unless they are from the Indigenous communities.
What/who are we looking for?
We are looking for artists who want to connect with their artistic impulses, dare to push boundaries, and are ready give back to the community.
Projects must be original. The project doesn’t need to be complete or finished by the time of the submission. However, projects that are (1) under option, (2) commissioned, (3) scheduled for professional production at another organization, or (4) have received public presentations prior to the submission or are scheduled for public presentations during the length of the residency, are not eligible.
What do you get?
During the one-year residency, we will connect you with other collaborators, offer research support, and facilitate interviews and focus groups. Dramaturgical development and discussion with Yangtze’s artistic staff will take place throughout the residency. Consultation with a culturally specific dramaturg can also be provided as needed. Professional development opportunities could take place in various forms. We will serve as the line-producer.
Each resident artist will receive a grant of $10,000, of which $5,000 to be an unrestricted financial award, payable upon signing this letter, and $5,000 to be used towards any professional development opportunities related to your project.
The residency program does not guarantee a full production in Yangtze’s future seasons.
I’m interested, how do I get involved?
Details about 2024-2025 Project YZ will be announced in the Spring of 2024.
Still have questions?
Email us at info@yzrep.org with any further questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated June 20, 2023)