Joyce Lam is the co-Founder, President and Artistic Producer of the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (VACT). Recently, she produced Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE with Chinese surtitles hoping to entice Chinese-speaking patrons to English-speaking theatre. Also in 2008, she produced weekly comedy sketch segments for AZN Lifestyles TV on Citytv, co-moderated with Norman Amour for the final session at the 2008 Making a Scene Conference, was approached by NBC Universal to coordinate a meeting in Vancouver for upcoming Asian Canadian writers, directors and producers to meet with the Kelly Edwards, Vice President of NBC for its Diversity Initiative, and was nominated for the North American Association of Asian Professionals’ Spotlight on Leadership. Joyce has produced over 30 productions with the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre.

With a BFA degree in Theatre Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, Rick has spent the last 13 years, after graduation, working in the local Entertainment industry. After directing and producing musicals Falsettos, Baby and Company with several Jessie Award nods and a win, and garnering his own Gemini Award and Leo Award nominations and a win for his on-screen acting work in Godiva’s, Rick recently served as the Assistant to Roland Emmerich who shot principal photography here in Vancouver for Sony Pictures’ mega-budgeted 2012. As a Producer/Director/Writer/Actor, Rick now collaborates with his partners to create commercially cross-cultural projects, and was last year granted Telefilm Canada development funding as a Screenwriter/Producer for his company’s first feature film.

An actor, singer and composer, Christopher King is happy to be working with VACT on FLOWER DRUM SONG. His performance and musical director experience include working with Applause Musicals in Concert, Footlight Theatre Co, Theatre Under The Stars, and many other productions around Vancouver. For more info on Christopher, visit www.chris-king.com .

Raphael has been involved with stage performances for over 20 years. Having trained in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and U.S., he incorporates the essence of East and West. His portfolio includes performances from all over the world. With a strong background in productions, vocal and musical training, combined with the variety of dance styles that he has mastered, he is in high demand to choreograph for a multitude of events. From pop concerts, theatre, live TV broadcasts, fashion shows to pageant shows, Raphael’s creativity has always received phenomenal reviews. He also had the pleasure to work with some of the most well known pop artists from S.E. Asia, as well as local talents. Having a critical eye for on-stage performances, he had been repeatedly invited by TV stations, record and production companies, artists and performers to judge, choreograph, direct and produce dance performances of the highest quality.

A genre-defying artist, Yawen has created a body of work in the realms of music composition, gallery installation, performance art, musical theatre, music for dance, radio play, and film. Past works include Urinetown, The Musical! (Jessie Richardson Award, Best Production, 2007), Made in China (CBC/BBC Radio, 2004), Excursion (Jessie Nomination, Outstanding Original Musical, 1998), The Peach Project (cross-cultural opera, 2001) and The Difficult Mountain Paths of Szechwan (National Taiwan Symphony New Composition winner, 1992). She was recipient of the explorPERFORMANCE Award 2005, and has been a frequent nominee for various awardsFor her complete artistic portfolio and catalogue, go to www.asianrainwerk.com .

Joanna Lui is pleased to work on her fourth production with VACT. Joanna graduated from SFU’s Theatre Production and Design program in 2008 and focused her studies in stage-managing and lighting design. Past credits with VACT include lighting design for Cowboy vs Samurai and stage-managing Bondage, The Odd Couple and Etch-Your-SketchOFF comedy night (2008,2009). Her credits at SFU include lighting design for Off Centre Dance: Velocity x4, Student Dance 2007 and Black Box 2006; and stage managing credits include Dances on the Hill 2007 and The Visit. Joanna is very honored to work on The Flower Drum Song with such a strong cast and production team. This is her first time working on a musical and she knows that it’ll be the best production ever!

Darren is thrilled to be working with Rick and this talented team again. Recent designs include lighting and sound for “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Cabaret” and “The Laramie Project” (Lord Byng Secondary), lighting for “Coram Boy” and “There Came a Gypsy Riding” (United Players), “Company” (Arts Club), “The Nutcracker” (SoSuite Productions at Jericho), sound for “Socrates on Trial” (Vital Spark at the Chan), “Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad” and “The Dishwashers” (Arts Club 2005 Jessie Nominee) and Technical Director for VACT’s recent production of “The Odd Couple”. Darren is the head electrician for the Arts Club Theatre’s Granville Island Stage.

Migrated to Vancouver with her family in her late teens, Janice studied at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for her Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design, then UBC, Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Design. Janice has since been involved in many set designs and films such as As You Like It (Tuatara Productions), Suddenly Last Summer (United Players), Twelfth Night (Vancouver Island University), There Came A Gypsy Riding (United Players), Gravity Boy (NSI ZeD Drama Prize short film, Cracked Entertainment), Amber and Nicole (Legacy Filmworks), and Case No. 39 (Paramount Pictures). Janice is currently working as an interior designer in Gastown.

Cal Garingan is excited to be in his first VACT production as Assistant Set Designer. Hailing from the world of film and TV, Cal has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UBC and an MFA
in Film and TV Production from Chapman University, California, where he wrote, directed and produced several film projects. In2005, Cal completed the NFB documentary “Why Thee Wed,” on BC’s historic same-sex marriage case, which has since been aired on Knowledge Network and sold to broadcasters in Europe. Cal’s script “Waiting for Goliath” won the Citytv/Out on Screen writing competition, while his feature screenplay “Fearless” (a.k.a. “Jacob”) won the Praxis Screenwriting Competition in 2008. Whenever Cal is not counting animated sheep in his sleep, he spices up his life by making a mean butter chicken and dancing an even meaner chilly cha-cha.

No matter how you look at it – through cloud, rain or clear blue skies, the sun is always shining. That’s the biggest lesson that she learned through this theatre journey thus far. Graduating from the University of Ottawa with double honours in Theatre and Psychology, she moved out to Vancouver to do her first directing apprenticeship at Pacific Theatre. From there, she is pleased to be working with VACT and she will continue to enjoy the good weather of Vancouver – when it arrives. Some of her favourite productions are: The Woodsman (Pacific Theatre), The Maker of Dreams (University of Ottawa) and The Women (University of Ottawa) and many more of the future.

Jeannine Sheares-Moon’s passion for vintage clothing made her the perfect fit as Costume Co-Designer for Flower Drum Song (a play set in 1958). Particularly challenging was finding period pieces on a shoestring budget – though it was a job she found came naturally, since some of the favourite pieces in her personal closet were vintage finds that were bought for a song. This is Jeannine’s 7th year as a volunteer with VACT, and she’d like to give a shout-out to the terrific team that keeps her coming back for more!

Rick “Smokey“ Senechal is a three-time Leo Award winner and Gemini and Golden Reel Award nominee for his audio and sound production work for film, television, animation and videogames. His feature film credits include IT’S ALL GONE PETE TONG and THE CORPORATION – and his vast TV credits as a sound designer and sound recordist extend 4 seasons on DA VINCI’S INQUEST, 5 seasons on ANDROMEDA, and 5 seasons on THE L WORD. Previously, Rick also provided the sound & music recording and editing for all five SEX IN VANCOUVER productions for VACT since 2001.

The best translation, in my opinion, is one that doesn’t sound like translated work. It is my hope that the Chinese speaking audiences who rely solely on my translation of the script will be able to enjoy the dialogue as if they were originally written in Chinese. Translating the script has been a lot of fun, but challenging as well. Many hours were poured over certain English words and names for the most suitable Chinese counterpart. I hope my work has been satisfactory. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to let me know so improvement can be made for the next play and future audiences. Thank you and enjoy!

Bio and photo to come…

A graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design and the Vancouver Film School, Terry has worked at a several Vancouver design agencies. In recent years, Terry decided to move into illustration full time. Since then he has worked with a wide range of prominent clients from North America, Europe and Asia.

Ray has been a professional photographer for over 10 years, having graduated from Langara College’s Professional Photography Program in 1998. Ray has learned a lot from volunteering his time to VACT since the first Sex In Vancouver in his younger days, and is impressed, though not surprised, at how often the seats sell out due to the hard work of each stellar cast and crew. Other non-profit organizations which Ray volunteers for include The Vancouver Asian Film Festival, explorASIAN, and most notable in his heart, Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Ian Jesse Chan is excited to be the part of the production team of VACT’s FLOWER DRUM SONG! Proudly being a product of Methodica Acting Studio Production Program, Ian has been involved in many amateur theater productions and professional performance events since 2002. His various in different roles and experience have included Stage Manager, Director, Sound Operator, Set designer, Props Master etc. Ian never stops exploring his possibility and is happy to be putting his experience to the test this time around as Assistant Stage Manager!

Gary Koh has been in the Film & Theatre industry for six years. He has produced, directed and acted in short films, features and plays here in Vancouver. Gary has been in numerous plays. Multitasking as Stage Manager, Set Decorator, Tech, Props and Costume Design, Producer, and yes, sometimes he acts in them too. Sometimes he likes to bring his red guitar along and break out into songs, as he has been also been on stage as singer and guitar player of his own rock band for ten years.

Jonathan Endo recently got back into the entertainment scene this past year. He joined the VACT’s Etch Your Sketch Off’s competition two years in a row and performed in last year’s Fringe Festival for the Production Wok Hard. This sketch comic now looks for props in The Flower Drum Song, how he got into doing props, not even VACT knows…

Alice is thrilled to be working in her 6th year with VACT and celebrating its 10th year and 1st musical production! From backstage work to box office to member of the Board of Directors, she continuously enjoys working to promote Asian Canadians onstage! Previously working for Warren Miller Entertainment Canada marketing ski films, organizing provincial and national tradeshows and conferences, and now working at the University of British Columbia as a Conference Coordinator, Alice’s experience in event planning and marketing is being put to the test as this year’s Marketing & Volunteer Recruitment Director.