This show is produced by Dixon Place, Ping Chong and Company (PCC), and Free Rein Projects. Commissioned by Dixon Place.

Free Rein Projects, founded by Jaime Sunwoo in 2014, produces multidisciplinary performance projects in theater, visual art, film, and public art. Free Rein Projects has developed Specially Processed American Me through BRIClab, HB Studio Rehearsal Space Residency, BAX Upstart Program, Barn Arts Residency, Leviathan Lab, and FailSafe with support from the Queens Council on the Arts’ Artist Commissioning Program, Ms. Foundation for Women in association with Asian Women Giving Circle, the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in association with The New York Foundation for the Arts, Brooklyn Arts Fund, MVRP Foundation, The Laundromat Project, and The Jim Henson Foundation.

Ping Chong and Company (PCC) creates theater and art that reveal beauty, invention, precision, and a commitment to social justice. Founded in New York City in 1975 by leading theatrical innovator and National Medal of Arts recipient Ping Chong, the company engages multigenerational interdisciplinary artists to build on and expand a prolific catalogue—at the root of which is Ping Chong and his singular and visionary body of work. The company’s work centers innovation, collaboration, community engagement, and amplifies underrepresented voices.

Across nearly five decades, the New York City-based company has now created over 100 original theater productions, ranging from intimate interview-based works to large-scale multidisciplinary projects featuring puppets, performers, and full sound and projection scores. Reaching audiences throughout New York, the United States, and the world, PCC transcends boundaries, exploring interconnectedness of cultures and how intersectional identities are addressed in society. The company’s work often seeks to excavate and question dominant historical narratives. pingchong.org / @pingchongco

​​A bastion for visionary artists since 1986, Dixon Place is an award-winning non-profit institution dedicated to supporting the development and presentation of original works of theatre, dance, puppetry, and literature. With an abiding commitment to racial justice and gender equity, diversity is a mandate and artist remuneration a priority. In a professional, compassionate environment, artists are inspired and encouraged to take risks, generate new ideas, and execute new practices; and adventurous audiences enhance their process.

After pioneering DP in her home, Founder El Covan organically developed artistic programs based on the needs of myriad communities. As the organization grew, the venue expanded and in 2009 opened a 6000’, physically accessible facility with a 120 seat, state-of-the-art theater and a cocktail lounge with an intimate performing space and art gallery in downtown Manhattan.

Many artists such as Blue Man Group, Lisa Kron, John Leguizamo, and Deb Margolin began their careers at DP. Over the years, established artists have appeared such as Justin Vivian Bond, Kate Clinton, Alan Cumming, Karen Finley, Niles Ford, James Lecesne, Taylor Mac, Terry McMillan, Vernon Reid, Wallace Shawn, Martha Wainwright, and BD Wong.

DP provides incomparable opportunities for artists of all stripes and callings, and endows audiences with accessible, memorable, enriching cultural experiences. An essential home for artists and their new work, Dixon Place has successfully supported artistic achievement for 35 years, contributing significantly to NYC’s cultural landscape.

Jaime Sunwoo (Playwright/Co-Director/Prop, Puppet, and Costume Designer/Projection Graphic Illustrator/Producing Artistic Director, Free Rein Projects) is a Korean American multidisciplinary artist from Brooklyn, New York working in visual art, theater, film and public art. Her works connect personal narratives to global histories through surreal storytelling. She studied art at Yale University, and was a fellow for Ping Chong and Company, and The Laundromat Project. Her work has been presented at Park Avenue Armory, Abrons Art Center, BAX, JACK, The Tank, Flux Factory, Art in Odd Places, Gallery Korea at KCCNY, Open Source Gallery, and Westbeth Gallery. She has led workshops, given lectures, and joined panel discussions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Food and Drink, Yale University, New York University, The Wang Center at Stony Brook University, and Mills College. More at jaimesunwoo.com / @jaimesunwoo.

Karim Muasher  (Co-director) is an Arab American deviser, director, and teacher working at the intersection of performance and education. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Animal Engine Theatre Company. Among his other collaborations are daredevil clown Bello Nock’s Drama Desk award-winning show Bellomania at the New Victory Theatre and physical comedian Martin Gindick’s multimedia show Wingman at the United Solo Festival. He has taught theatre and devising at institutions such as the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Guthrie Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Abrons Arts Center, International Thespian Festival, and Wingspan Arts. Karim is a graduate of Ithaca College, the London International School of Performing Arts at Naropa University, and a member of the Association of Theatre Movement Educators.

Matt Chilton (Lyricist, Composer, Sound Designer) is a musician, composer, sound designer. Their recent theater projects include reGENEration lab (Failsafe Festival) and Specially Processed American Me (The Tank, Failsafe Festival), An Iliad (Greek Embassy, Atlas PAC, Washington DC) with Iason Togas and Conor Bagley, and they have previously worked with Aya Aziz on Eh Dah: Questions for my Father (NYMF, Fringe Festival).

Cinthia Chen (Projection Designer) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn and Taiwan. She was a Mabou Mines SUITE/Space artist, Fresh Ground Pepper BRB Resident Artist, Creators Collective’s AEIN artist, A4 Resident artist, as well as a Theater Mitu’s Hybrid Arts Lab inaugural fellow and affiliated artist. Cinthia also works as a projections designer and was recognized for her work at the La MaMa’s Design Fest 2020. She is also a film editor and has worked for independent artists and production companies such as Five Sisters Productions and ARRI China. www.cinthiachen.com

Sarah Lurie (Lighting Designer) is a New York based lighting designer whose work has been seen around the city and abroad. Recent works include design at Abrons Arts Center, Dixon Place, Cherry Lane, La Mama, and Target Margin. Collaborators include Miguel Gutierrez, Haruna Lee, and John Maria Gutierrez. Selected credits: King Lear in the Forest (Center at West Park), No More Shimmering Cowboys (Out of Line Festival, Yara Travieso), High Winds (LAX Festival), Dog Gone Day/Memory Retrograde (BAX/Ars Nova/Under the Radar), So Long Boulder City (SubCulture), American Realness at Weiner Festwochen, Mourning Becomes Electra (TMT), A Cabaret for Dark Times (ETW), The Children’s Hour (FSSA), Infernal Machine (ETW), Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King (Cherry Lane Theater), Colin Quinn’s The New York Story (Cherry Lane Theater) www.sarahelurie.com

Aoife Hough (Stage Manager) is a stage manager, production manager, and producer based in Brooklyn. Her previous work includes The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America (Winner of Drama League Award for Outstanding Digital Theater, Individual Production), House Plant (Next Door @ NYTW), (Still) Asking for It (Joe’s Pub), and Looking At You (HERE Arts Center) among others. She is also the Production Manager and Resident Production Stage Manager for Poetic Theater Productions.

Samm Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager, Covid Compliance Officer) (he/him) is an NYC-based stage manager. Notable credits include The Untitled Lindsey Graham Halloween Spooktacular (National Queer Theater), Scribbled Lines (Poetic Theater Productions), and Madge Love (Fringe and Fur, 2020 Exponential Festival). He is also a current 2023 MFA Stage Management candidate at Columbia University. www.slynchsm.com

Alex M. Lee (Dramaturg) is a theatremaker and visual artist from Seoul, Korea, recently based in New York City. She is a graduate of the Brown/RISD Dual Degree Program from which she holds a BA in Theatre Arts and a BFA in Film/Animation/Video. When not in the theatre, she works at HERE Arts Center as a graphic designer.

Justin Perkins (Technical Director) is a puppet artist currently appearing in Madama Butterfly at Met Opera (puppeteer cover). Other recent work includes Hansel and Gretel (Michigan Opera Theater), Shank’s Mare (NYC, Paris, Chicago, Houston), Alaxska|Alaska (La Mama, tour). In 2019, he presented DIANAMAS, an immersive installation at Puppet Lab. Forthcoming work includes Unicorn Afterlife, for which he received a workshop grant from the Jim Henson Foundation. Justin is a curator at Object Movement Puppetry Festival, a residency program for puppet artists and the Program Director at New Country Day Camp. justinaperkins.com

Sarah Shin (Performer – Jaime) is a Brooklyn-based Korean American actor/director/ producer. Select performing credits include Othello (The National Women’s Theatre), The Three Musketeers (Greater Boston Stage Co./Front Porch Arts Collective), Our Town, and Beowulf: A Thousand Years of Baggage (BU). In addition to co-founding Asian American Theatre Artists of Boston (AATAB), Sarah is also involved with API Arts Network, National Queer Theatre, and StageSource as an artistic leader, and recently held a virtual artist residency at Asian American Arts Alliance. BFA Theatre Arts Boston University IG: @shinnysarah. She/her/hers

Juella Baltonado (Performer – Hormel Girl/Ensemble) Recent credits include Medusa (The Gene Frankel Theatre), and Climate Revolution (International WOW Company). New York: Kristen Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre), Under the Mistletoe with Ashley Brown and the New York Pops (Carnegie Hall), Historia di Jephte (Ida K. Lang Hall). Education: BA, Music with concentration in voice, Hunter College. MA, Music History, Hunter College.

Vanessa Rappa (Performer – Hormel Girl/Ensemble) is a poet, playwright, actor, dancer, singer/song-writer, musician, choreographer, performer. Her music, plays, and poetry have been presented by Undiscovered Countries, Judson Memorial Church, New York Theater Workshop open mic events, as well as Poetic Theater Productions as part of Love, Redefined, Together in Resilience, Poetic Lyricism, and more. Choreography and collaborative work credit include, Gen, Getting Away With It, medea & medea/for medea. She graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a double BA in Literature and Theater.

Monica Goff (Performer – Hormel Girl/Ensemble) is an actor, writer, and director originally from San Jose, CA, and is thrilled to sing the praises of her favorite food. Monica has performed at the Great Salt Lake, Minnesota, and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, Pioneer Theatre Company, and San Jose Stage. Selected credits: Hippolyta in Two Noble Kinsmen (OSF’s Play On!), Katharine in Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Fourth Wife in Blue Beard, Helena in Midsummer, Masha in The Three Sisters. You can also see the back of her head on various streaming services. Monica has studied at the Linklater Center, Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and LAMDA. BFA Acting from the University of Utah. @gourmet.reads on Instagram | monicagoff.com

Nathaniel Basch-Gould (Performer – Jay Hormel/Ensemble) is an actor, director, and playwright. New York acting credits: Rhinbecca NY (Theater Reconstruction Ensemble), Poor Sailor (Tugboat Collective), You on the Moors Now (TRE), Immersion (Sans Comedia), The What Dance (TC), Il Regno Malati at Dinner (TRE), Obedient Steel (TC), Jack the Bird (TC), MARS (Superhero Clubhouse), Berries of Wrath (Dead Copycats), Moon & Marble (TC). New York directing: Ghost in the Machine (Dead Copycats). Writing: The Scottish Play (Shrunken Shakespeare – upcoming). Originally from Sandy Hook, CT, Nathaniel now lives in Philadelphia. Training: Williams College, LAMDA.

Eunji Lim (Performer – Grandma/Ensemble) is a Korean, New York City based versatile artist- actor, singer, dancer, and writer. She is originally from Seoul, South Korea, where she studied Acting in Kookmin University as well as worked as an artist. Eunji made her New York Theater debut in The Riverside Theatre as well as New York Theatre Workshop for world premiere tour ‘Doña Mañana’ by People’s Theatre Project. Eunji is eager to be an ambassador of art for broadening cultural and artistic circles of the international stage. MFA in Acting, Actors Studio. Drama School.

Adrianna Mateo (Music Director, Performer – Hormel Girl/Ensemble) is an alt-pop artist, solo violinist, and actress. She opened for Alicia Keys at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, performed her original music at Rockefeller Center’s famous Rainbow Room, and recorded her upcoming single Skin Hunger at Jungle City Studios with a Grammy Award-nominated team whose credits span Björk to John Legend. Previously, Adrianna performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, at Carnegie Hall and the TimesCenter, on stage for multiple, concurrent runs at the Metropolitan Opera and Metropolitan Museum of Art, at the Bang on a Can Summer Marathon, and on tour internationally, earning her acclaim from the New York Times and TimeOut New York.

Grace Hwoang (Understudy) studied Opera at the Aaron Copland School of Music where she performed the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and sang as the soprano soloist in Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the QC Orchestra, QC Choir and Nassau Community College Choir. Her more recent ventures include writing the music for and performing as Amiens in Theater 315’s As You Like It by Shakespeare, and taking on the role of Elizabeth in the off-Broadway musical Frankenstein. She shares her works on Youtube under the name “Grace Juhe.”

Nadia Kim (Understudy) is a Korean interdisciplinary artist working with film, theater, and puppetry. She earned a BA in Comparative Literature at Bryn Mawr College where she was actively involved with the college theater department as an actor, costume assistant, and theater technician. Her recent works include stop motion short Windglobe and narrative short Interlude. She currently works at Ping Chong and Company as the Operations Assistant.

Ping Chong (Artistic Director, Ping Chong and Company) is an internationally acclaimed interdisciplinary artist, and founder of Ping Chong and Company. Since 1975, he has created over 100 original works for the stage in New York City, and around the world. In 1992, Chong created the first Undesirable Elements production in an ongoing series of community-based oral history projects exploring culture and identity. Published works include The East West Quartet and a volume on Undesirable Elements. The first comprehensive volume on his body of work, The Interdisciplinary Theatre of Ping Chong: Exploring Curiosity and Otherness on Stage by Yuko Kurahashi, was released in 2019. Ping Chong is the recipient of two BESSIE awards, two OBIE awards, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, and the 2014 National Medal of Arts.

Bruce Allardice (Executive Director, Ping Chong and Company) has been the administrative leader of Ping Chong and Company since 1988. He received the 2007 Susan E. Kennedy Memorial award for his service to the field of arts management.

Jane Jung (Managing Director, Ping Chong and Company) leads general management, financial, and operational areas of the Company; and oversees the Creative Fellowship Program.  Previous positions held include  Managing Director of The Civilians, General Manager of Ping Chong and Company. She is a board member of Musical Theater Factory, Radical Evolution, Network of Ensemble Theaters and is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and Mount Holyoke College.