A̶L̶L̶ ̶L̶I̶V̶E̶S̶ ̶M̶A̶T̶T̶E̶R̶,̶ ̶A̶L̶L̶ ̶C̶O̶P̶S̶ ̶A̶R̶E̶ ̶B̶A̶S̶T̶A̶R̶D̶S̶,̶ ̶ ̶

S̶T̶O̶P̶ ̶A̶S̶A̶I̶N̶ ̶H̶A̶T̶E̶ ̶

ALL ASIANS ARE THE SAME, is a dark comedy using autobiographical experiences of queerness in asianess, it explores the role of the activist and the role of the performer. In this performance, we wish to devise our process by improvisation and use projected images to compliment our messages. We will possibly use pre-recorded performance, live-stream, photography, to convey tools at our exposal for celebrating Asianness, queerness, performance. Each scene will have an independent storyline but is joined by projected “Instagram infographics” and the aforementioned themes.

 

The first scene infuses Milla’s drag persona with a monologue, as Art. It starts with Art’s lipsync to Ionalee’s “Remember the Future” which sets the stage for our play: we are acknowledging the past, and figuring out what it means to be Queer Asians in our present and future. The performance will be interrupted by an Art Gallery Visitor, who sees the living art, and steals away their clothes, while ironically talking on the phone about belonging. Finally, Art recognises this and chases the Visitor to the next scene. This scene considers collective memory in art and exploitation.

 

The second scene is set in a karaoke booth, where two people try to overcome language and cultural barriers using a stereotypical Asian activity. Inspired by the 1995 documentary “Shinjuku Boys” about transgender men in Tokyo and the fringe show “Ladyboys of Bangkok” we wish to explore gender.

 

The third scene is an embassy protest, which considers how technology influences our activism. Influenced by drag performance (see image below) and how we use social media to distribute messages, we want to interrogate the meaning of “#StopAsianHate’ and how some Asians live more equal lives than others (we must consider class, gender, etc). We can also question why people think #AllAsiansAreTheSame.