Painted Bride Presents Spoken Word & Dance Performance on Black and Asian American Artists Healing From Trauma
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Painted Bride Presents Spoken Word & Dance Performance on Black and Asian American Artists Healing From Trauma
Renowned dancer Sun-Mi Cho and award-winning poet LindoYes to perform their first collaboration on December 8 – 9 in West Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA (November 13, 2023) – Painted Bride presents “ENDoor,” a new play on healing BIPOC trauma incorporating spoken word, contemporary ballet, and visual projections from Philadelphia dancer Sun-Mi Cho and poet LindoYes. This piece will be their first collaboration. Two performances will take place on December 8 and 9 at the Painted Bride (5212 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19139).
“This process of dialogic performance, as filmed and improvisational, moves against oppressive ideas foundational to the patriarchy. We hope to inspire, challenge and give voice to under- represented survivors and victims of social- and systems-based traumas,” Cho and LindoYes shared in a joint statement.
The autobiographical play, co-directed by Josh Smith, a university mental health counselor, and Pangri Mehta, a Ph.D. in Sociology, tells the story of Cho and LindoYes’ upbringings as a transracial Korean adoptee and a dyslexic, working-poor Black poet, respectively. The play uses pop culture as a backdrop to challenge the audience’s acceptance of normalized culture and stigmatizing discourse. ENDoor also invites the audience to question the extent to which children are “resilient” in the face of repeated trauma, and emphasizes the power of being vulnerable and owning one’s story. While the narratives are distinct, the audience is offered a critical opportunity to see parallel themes of strength, empathy, and the importance of connection.
Promotional photos with credits: Folder here
For more information and tickets: https://paintedbride.org/events/endoor-an-autobiographical-play/
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About LindoYes
LindoYes (he/him), is a dyslexic spoken word poet born, raised and living in Philadelphia. He has been featured in the Philly Weekly, Philadelphia Inquirer, Button Poetry, and Def Poetry Jam to name a few. Lindo poetry has expanded to short animations, gumball machines and plays where he has centered black existence, mental health and fantasy/scifi. He was the recipient of the 2023 Jackie Robinson awarded by Color of Change and the 2023 “Change Maker” award by Uptown Standards.
About Sun-Mi Cho
Sun-Mi Cho (she/her) a transracial adoptee from Korea, Founder and Director of Ballet SUNMI, est. 2021, 2023 nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year by The Asian Chamber of Commerce and 2023 Philly Family Favorite Dance Studio. Sun-Mi danced with companies like the Opera Company of Philadelphia, KunYang Lin, Jeanne Ruddy Dance, Meredith Rainey Dance and was host of Comcast on Demand “Learn Ballet” to name a few. Sun-Mi uses her transracial adoption experience to shape wholehearted and authentic connections as a mother, friend, ballet teacher and a performing artist.
About Painted Bride Art Center
Building on a 53-year legacy, the Painted Bride brings together artists, audiences, and communities to push the boundaries of how we create and experience art. It has supported over 25,000 artists, hosted over 5,000 events, commissioned over 100 new works, and facilitated manifold artist and community workshops and educational programs. The Bride cultivates a welcoming environment for critical dialogue and playful exchange to transform lives and communities through art. It is committed to supporting artists from all walks of life and amplifying underrepresented voices to foster diversity and inclusivity. To learn more, visit www.paintedbride.org.