Current Projects

Project Manager - Research for music festivals and educational programs around the globe
at the National Symphony Orchestra in Taipei, Taiwan

NSO plans to publish my research into a book in 2010!

Brandeis Theater Company presents The Orphan of Zhao

Director's Note
by Naya Chang

I have always wanted to use theatre as a means to build a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. Creating an onstage production can give audiences exposure to cultures that may not be familiar. Theatre has that power! I am very proud to bring a part of my culture onto the stage here at Brandeis University.

In The Orphan of Zhao, individuals struggle for justice in the face of oppression and the misuse of power. This theme recurs throughout history. Recall the lone college student who stopped a battalion of tanks in their tracks by simply standing in front of them during the 1989 massacre of Tiananmen Square. Each character that tries to save the Orphan embodies the spirit of that student.

I hope that this play forces us to reflect on the importance of human rights and what each of us deems worth fighting for. I decided to depict the violence on stage in a realistic and graphic way. Beauty coexists with violence and pain—a reality that I feel is important to confront.

I decided to make Cheng Ying, traditionally a male character, a woman in this production because I wanted to explore the strengths of motherhood. Cheng Ying’s sacrifice and burden is extraordinary. The Orphan of Zhao carries on Cheng Ying’s journey, fulfills his family’s legacy and moves on to become a great leader.

It is a humbling and wonderful experience to have a playwright and designers take my vision and create their own interpretations of it. I love that process and I think that’s what makes it theatre. My goal of building a bridge between eastern and western cultures certainly were embodied in this process with a truly talented, multi-cultural team.

________________________________________________

Thank you for your support!

Please come to see the remaining run of
The Orphan of Zhao on the mainstage of
Spingold Theater Center:

04/03/08 Thursday 8pm
04/04/08 Friday 8pm
04/05/08 Saturday 2pm & 8pm
04/06/08 Sunday 2pm

For more information:
http://www.brandeis.edu/btc/The%20Orphan%20of%20Zhao.html

If you would like to listen to backstage broadcast - interview with directors Eric Hill and Naya Chang - please click here!

Naya Chang's Theatre Production Photos

Showcase

Come Join us for our Brandeis 2008 MFA acting showcase
directed by Robert Walsh

Boston
March 31, 2008 4:30pm
Laurie Theater, Spingold Theater Center
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02451

New York City
April 7, 2008 1:00pm, 5:30pm, 7:00pm
Producers Club Theatre
358 W 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

RSVP to showcase@brandeis.edu

Naya Chang - music director and fiddler for A Christmas Carol

Naya Chang plays the violin for A Christmas Carol at Berkshire Theatre Festival on the set designed and built by Carl Sprague.
Gail M. Burns of GailSez.com wrote about Naya:

" Chang, who also plays the silent role of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, is a beautiful and talented young woman whose presence and musical ability really moves this production from the realm of the predictable to the higher reaches of artistry."

Naya Chang as Forgiveness From Heaven in The Waiting Room

Naya Chang as Forgiveness From Heaven with Jay Lee as Blessing From Heaven in Lisa Loomer's The Waiting Room, directed by Janet Marrison at Brandeis Theater Company. Forgiveness From Heaven is a wealthy eighteenth century Chinese woman with bound feet. She enjoys her husband's attention as Blessing From Heaven takes much pride in Forgiveness From Heaven's small feet.

Her husband Blessing From Heaven dismissed her because her toes fell off due to gangrene which was caused by the practice of foot-binding. She stays at the hospital by herself and starts to use different drugs and joints. She eventually dies in the hospital next to Wanda.

Naya Chang as Forgiveness From Heaven dances in The Waiting Room

Naya Chang as Forgiveness From Heaven does the Chinese ribbon dance in the end of the play.