CASA culture show raises issue of cultural differences
USC's Chinese American Student Association Culture Show adressed the struggles of being Asian-American.
Candy Cheng
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Lifestyle
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Those who attended the sixth annual cultural show produced by USC's Chinese American Student Association experienced all that and much more on Saturday night. Bovard Auditorium was filled with students, parents, alumni and professors.
The title of the show, "A Story of Three Brothers," centered on the struggles of being Asian-American and the conflicts faced in being apart of both the American and Asian world.
The theme of the traditional world versus modern day was explicitly displayed throughout the show, from the plot summary and music selection to the dance routines and costume design.
"This year's theme focuses more on the modern issues that Asian-Americans face," said Erika Louie, the show's co-producer. "We tried to touch upon issues that today's Asian-Americans can relate to by incorporating a wider diversity of characters."
The plot revolved around three Chinese brothers who were separated during childhood. Because of circumstantial factors and communication barriers, the boys do not keep in touch after their separation. The play begins with the grandmother arranging the first family reunion in 25 years.
Within the first five minutes of the show, the audience was greeted with a vividly painted backdrop of a Chinese landscape and a colorful display of traditional Chinese costumes. These visuals, along with the sounds of Chinese melodies and drumbeats in the background, enabled the audience to capture the essence of being in a rural Chinese village. Five scenes, along with a wushu performance and a dance routine by Chaotic Three (a USC hip-hop dance team) completed the first act.
The first half was light and entertaining, giving a humorous twist to the cultural divergence most Asian-Americans face as first- or second-generation immigrants. The play opened with the first scene titled "Separate Lives, Separate People," which introduces some of the key characters - a nurturing Asian mother, an arrogant businessman, an extravagant trophy wife, a flamboyant gay son and a college-bound overachiever. The characters not only created a dynamic cast, but their stereotypical roles make the cross-cultural barriers between traditional and modern even more apparent.
Alex Chen, a graduate student majoring in engineering, played the arrogant businessman who had a falling-out with his family.
"Even though (the businessman) is an extremely proud person, I think deep down, he has a good heart," he said.
Between the second and third scene, a wushu performance by the USC Kung Fu Club set the mood for the representation of traditional Chinese values, beliefs and way of life. The performance started with a demonstration of tai-chi exercise and moved to a more complex routine of bamboo stick fighting. In all, the "fighting" was done in accordance with the Chinese philosophy of honor and respect. A proper conclusion was done without the declaration of a winner or loser, but rather with a single head bow in acknowledgement of a well-done fight between the opponents.
In contrast to this traditional performance, a modern hip-hop dance routine performed by Chaotic Three swept the stage during the latter portion of the first act. The performance connected with the play in that it followed a scene that involved the village's preparation of a "thrilling festival." The dancers impressed the crowd with their savvy moves and complex choreography, demonstrating the new talents and potentials of modern Asian-Americans growing up in the American culture.
The second part of the show proceeded after a short intermission in which the cast members were able to quickly say hello to family and friends in the audience. The issues raised in the six scenes during the second act were more profound and drew more attention to the theme of the show itself. Some of the issues raised included adversities in forging an Asian-American identity; struggles faced with communication barriers; rediscoveries of traditional values while holding on to modern work ethics; and feelings of love and acceptance in the crossover between two cultures.
The scene "Reconnections" encapsulated the essence of the overall theme. In it, the audience witnessed the transformation and mergence of individual customs, beliefs and customs which helped reunify a family once divided.
The show was well done both in terms of the production work and in serving its purpose of entertaining an audience, but leaving them at the same time with profound messages on culture and ethnicity. Many who were in attendance at the culture show walked away with a better understanding, and perhaps even some inspiration, to further advocate an evolving Asian-American identity.
