Rescued Memories & The Escape clips

The Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University and Asia Society present

THE ESCAPE AND RESCUED MEMORIES: NEW YORK STORIES

By Lenora Lee Dance with Kei Lun Martial Arts & Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 · FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 · 8PM

Asia Society

725 Park Avenue

General Admission & Asia Society members: www.asiasociety.org/new-york/events/upcoming

A/P/A Institute members: www.apa.nyu.edu/events

www.LenoraLeeDance.com

Directed by A/P/A Institute at NYU Visiting Scholar LENORA LEE, the interdisciplinary performance works The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories excavate the lives of early 20th century Chinese women migrants through dance, martial arts, film, text and music. They are companion pieces that detail stories of women who became vulnerable upon their arrival in the United States. The pieces shed light on the experiences of these women in the context of the social history for Chinese in America as well as in the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement. They connect these experiences with today’s fabric of organizations and individuals that are on the front line of the contemporary struggle against the exploitation of women and children in our communities.

The Escape is inspired by a girl who sought refuge from exploitation in San Francisco at Donaldina Cameron House, a faith-based social service agency that today continues to serve Asian communities living in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Rescued Memories: New York Stories retraces the life of Bessie M. Lee (Bessie You Toy–b. 1894), who, after migrating to New York City, spent two years in indentured servitude working for a wealthy Chinese family.

Featuring media design by Olivia Ting, videography directed by Tatsu Aoki, music score by Francis Wong, and text by Genny Lim. Lighting in the 11/8-11/9/13 SF performances at the de Young Museum by Patty-Ann Farrell. To be performed in NYC on 5/8-5/9/14 by Juliet Ante, Kelly Del Rosario, Raymond Fong, Larissa Fong, Marina Fukushima, Chin-chin Hsu, Lynn Huang, Wei-Shan Lai, Lenora Lee, Olivia Ting. Original cast included Yukihiko Noda, SanSan Kwan, and Chia-Yi Seetoo.