Course List Contact Info: Julie Iezzi Associate Professor, Asian Theatre (Japan focus) 956-4377 iezzi@hawaii.edu Kirstin Pauka Professor, Asian Theatre (South and Southeast Asia focus) Ph. 956-2587 pauka@hawaii.edu Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak Professor, Asian Theatre (China focus) Director, Asian Theatre Program 956-2597 ewichman@hawaii.edu	Asian Theatre Program Academic and artistic achievements World renowned. Unprecedented. Multi-faceted. International.These are just a few of the ways in which the Asian Theatre Program at the University of Hawaii has been described by theatre specialists around the country. In addition, one also hears the words innovative, creative, scholarly, prodigiously productive and unquestionably successful used to speak of this program, the largest and finest of its kind in the world. With roots that reach back to 1923, the Asian Theatre Program today offers rigorous and exciting training and instruction in three areas-Japanese, Chinese, and South and Southeast Asian theatre. The faculty experts in these fields are widely recognized and honored for their scholarship, creative work, and diligent service in designing and directing programs and productions which bring master artists from around the world into the department to train student performers, designers and musicians. From these programs have resulted some of the most outstanding Asian theatre productions to be seen outside of their respective countries of origin.These master artists residency training programs essentially bring the "field" to the university, enabling the Asian Theatre Program to maintain a multifaceted and integrative course of study that is truly unique. In-depth training and contact between students and practicing masters makes it possible for both students and faculty to simultaneously conduct theoretical research in conjunction with their creative work. This symbiotic relationship is not only advantageous but highly effective, and the resulting success of the program speaks for itself. Interest in the Asian Theatre Program continues to grow each year. To date the program has produced over eighty masters and doctoral graduates in Asian theatre, who are active throughout the world teaching, directing and acting in Asian theatre related productions and projects. Currently, there are twenty-three graduates (16 Ph.Ds, 7 MFA) either specializing in Asian performance (MFA) or Asian theatre (MA/Ph.D.), or focusing on Asian theatre within an acting, directing or design (MFA) program. Asian theatre is also a substantial component of the four emester-long courses on World theatres,in addition to the nearly two dozen semester-long courses and individual study options in Asian theatre. The department proudly claims the largest number of course offerings in Asian theatre as well as the greatest integration of Asian theatre in undergraduate coursework of any U.S. program. Considered by the giants of theatre-UCLA, Yale and Oxford-as the finest university-based Asian theatre training and performance program in the world, its international reputation regularly draws students from Europe, Asia, the Pacific region, Canada, and the U.S. mainland to study in this unique program at the University of Hawaii. Community Integration The University's Asian Theatre Program is greatly indebted to the intimate connection which has long existed between the program and the local community. Throughout several decades of Asian theatrical productions at the University of Hawaii, the community has been ever present-as audience, participant, creator and teacher. The cooperation of local artists in training and performing has been just as important to the success of productions as the contributions of time and money which community members offer in support. In turn, many graduates of the Asian theatre program go on to teach at schools and perform in theatres throughout the state of Hawaii, bringing what they've learned back into the community. In these ways, Hawaii's multi-cultural community simultaneously supports and is supported by the Asian Theatre Program. The continued growth of this invaluable symbiotic relationship is essential. Production Highlights Since 1923, the Asian Theatre Program has produced numerous world-premiers of English-language productions of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, and Thai theatre, in addition to original works based on or influenced by research and training in specific genres of Asian theatre. Many of these productions have received honors and awards. Four times Kabuki productions have received invitations to attend the regional and national competitions of the American College Theatre Festival. Several productions have toured the neighbor islands and the U.S. mainland, and twice English-language Beijing opera performances toured China. The recent staging of an Indonesian Randai dance-drama was the first ever production of Randai in English in the US and was invited to tour in Indonesia. In addition to faculty and student-directed creative work, guest artists from throughout Asia and Hawaii regularly perform and offer workshops in conjunction with the Department of Theatre and Dance. Click here to see representative photos of recent Asian Theatre productions Click here to read the Hana Hou Magazine December 06 article about Asian Theatre at UHM entitled "World Class."   Last revised: April 21, 2008 (mum) © Copyright 2000, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Theatre and Dance. College of Arts and Humanities. All rights reserved. URL: http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/asian/asian.htm