NAATF and Saying Good-Bye to AAI

Back on June 10, I performed in the last show to be held in the Asian Arts Initiative's Cherry Street space. That weekend, AAI previewed shows that would be featured at this year's National Asian American Theater Festival, held in NYC mid-late June. I was one of the writers/performers in the "Edge of the World" show, which was conceived by Omar Telan. Other members of the writers/cast included Dan Kim, Anula Shetty, Regie Cabico, Gary San Angel, Robert Karimi, Traci Kiriyama, Ryan Suda, Kristina Wong, John castro, and Royd Hatta. Here are pics of us rehearsing in the space that Sunday before the final show at the Inish:






After our show, Asian Arts Initiative staff members passed out small pieces of paper and asked audience members to write down a hope or message for the future of AAI. We then tied our "hopes" to helium-filled balloons which were released one-by-one out of the Inish's windows.







The staff officially vacated the space at the end of June, and we anticipate the opening of the new space on Vine Street sometime in the near future. I leave you with pictures of some of the messages folks wrote on the walls of the Asian Arts Initiative, including mine and Catzie's. Good-Bye, Cherry Street--you have given us many wonderful memories.






Much love always,
Michelle