ANNOUNCING THE 2024 PROJECT YZ COHORT
We are proud to announce the newest members of Project YZ, the company’s AAPI Artist Residency program. Launched in 2022, the goal of Project YZ is to support and build an artistic home for AAPI immigrant artists.
The 2024 recipients, who will each receive $10,000 ($5,000 unrestricted, $5,000 in professional development) in support over one year, are director Nana Dakin and set designer Chika Shimizu. During their one-year residency, Yangtze Rep will connect Dakin and Shimizu 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.
Yangtze Rep is also pleased to announce that its 2023 Project YZ resident artists, playwright Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin and writer and performer Đavid Lee Huỳnh, will present work-in-progress showings of their new work.
Read the Press Release to learn more.
Nana Dakin (นานา เดกิ้น) is a queer Thai American director of new work, classics and devised performance based in NYC. Her work pursues social equity by examining the way culture is constructed and unsettling dormant biases. She is the first Thai theatre director to direct at the Royal Court Theatre in London and in NYC her work has been presented and developed at Ars Nova, Atlantic Theater Company, Bedlam, The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Ma-Yi Theater Company, New York Theatre Workshop, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, The Playwrights Realm, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Soho Rep and more. www.nanadakin.com
Photo credit: Wichaya Artamat
Chika Shimizu is a Theatrical Set Designer based in New York City. Regionally she has worked with Yale Repertory Theatre (CT Critics Circle Award Nom), Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Signature Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Portland Center Stage, Cleveland Play House, Geva Theatre, and Paper Mill Playhouse. In New York Chika has worked with WP Theatre, Irish Repertory Theatre, The Barrow Group, and Epic Theatre Ensemble. Her scenic design credits proudly include “Salesman之死 ” (2023) and “Romulus The Great” (2018) for Yangtze Repertory Theatre. chikashimizu.com
Who is eligible?
Self-identified AAPI immigrant artists, creators and storytellers. Teams are welcome to apply.
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 Project YZ 2025 Cohort will be announced in the Spring of 2025.
Still have questions?
Email us at info@yzrep.org with any further questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated June 18, 2024)