Since writing this story, I have been lucky enough to participate in a community theater project and the Vagina Monologues here in Gwangju. The Gwangju Performance Project has come a long way, with many other successful plays and there are still many talented and active performers living and working in this city.
July 3, 2014
The Gwangju Performance Project, the local amateur performance troupe, is busy preparing this summer’s production of Rumors, a farcical play written by Neil Simon. According to GPP treasurer and cast member Joey Nunez describes, the story is “very line-driven” and “a conversational war between characters.”
The GPP was founded in 2011 by English teachers Travis Major and Jo Park, who have since left Korea. To get a sense of the play, and of the Gwangju community theater, Gwangju News sat down with GPP staff and cast members.
Anna Volle, GPP’s president and director of Rumors, chose this year’s first performance in fall 2013, after the play Why Torture is Wrong and The People Who Love Them received a mixed response.
“The play itself was controversial and not all people who saw the show liked it,” Volle said. “Black humor is hard in any language and it doesn’t always cross borders. But I wanted the new play of the year to be something that everyone could enjoy, something that was light-hearted and fun.”
That’s exactly what “Rumors” is, says Lisa Mynhardt, vice-president of the GPP and the show’s stage manager. “A glimpse into the unbelievable life of the insane upper class, it will get more than a chuckle out of everyone.”
Heather Aitken, who serves as the play’s assistant director as well as GPP secretary, sees the GPP growing into a strong community project. “I want people to know that when we audition, it’s open to anyone in the community. We aren’t a clique. Anyone can be involved. GPP can facilitate joining together the Korean and the foreign communities through the performing arts.”
“I hope that people have a good night out with Rumors and that Koreans can get an insight into American culture.”
Rumors casts a Korean actress into a GPP production for the first time. Susie Choe is a Gwangju native and fourth-year Chonnam National University student. After performing in the Gwangju Vagina Monologues this past April, Choe auditioned for Rumors.
“I didn’t think I could do this, didn’t even think about taking the audition,” Choe said, “because I’m not a native speaker.”
Choe says that while being the only Korean is sometimes a challenge, it doesn’t hold her back fr.om participating. “I don’t feel uncomfortable being with foreigners. The thing I’m worried about the most is bothering other people because of my English ability, but the directors have been so generous to me, so I have no problem so far. And yes I think other Koreans also can get involved if they are willing to. If I can, everyone can! I’m enjoying it, and I just can’t wait to be on the stage!”
Since taking over as GPP president in March, Volle has seen the group expand beyond theater, incorporating a new choir, an emerging dance troupe and monthly theme-based performance workshops.
She cites the recent raffle fundraiser as a successful funding source. “It dramatically changes your options when you have some funding to set things in motion in the first place, being able to fund more larger and daring projects.”
Volle’s dream is for the GPP to become a full-scale Gwangju-based community program.“The Korean community could become involved in a more visible and active way. People who would like to get involved in dance and theater can go to a workshop and learn a little bit and maybe they try auditioning.”
The biggest ambition is making the Gwangju Performance Project an official non-profit organization in Korea. Secretary Nunez said this next step would garner more validity for the project and give more local groups a chance to partner with them.
“What we’re doing now is leaving footprints in the Gwangju community for residents who will be here 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now. Our future looks very bright!”
The Rumors performances are 7pm July 12, 3pm July 13, 2pm + 7pm July 19 and 3pm July 20, at the theater inside the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) building in Sajik Park. This will be the first performance with accompanying Korean subtitles. GPP membership is 10,000 won per year.
Original story:
Korean Translation:
http://www.gjdream.com/v2/week/view.html?uid=457349&news_type=415&page=1&trackback=2
For more information, please visit: http://www.gwangjutheatre.com
Love Letters to the Present 