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Post Magazine
This Week: Performance of Their Lives
Hosted by Ping Chong
Special to the Washington Post
Monday, Feb. 3, 2002; 1 p.m. ET
When five young immigrants from Northern Virginia recently shared their troubled personal histories in front of an audience of strangers, the result was powerful and insightful. They did so in a play titled "Children of War," written and directed by Ping Chong. Their story was chronicled in an article by Douglas McGray in yesterday's Washington Post Magazine.
Chong was online Monday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. ET, to field questions and comments about the play and the article.
Chong is currently artist in residence at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland College Park.
A transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Ping Chong: Hello, Ping Chong signing on from New York. Thank you for your questions, your interest in the article and in Children of War...
Austin, Tex.:
Hello Ping Chong,
I am so moved by what I read about "Children of War." The stories of these young people, and by inference, the stories of many young people around the world, need to be told for many reasons, in my opinion. In a work such as this, what is it like to try to deal emotionally with what you are hearing, and at the same time to focus on the actual performance of the material? How do you separate your compassion and get to work, in other words?
Ping Chong: First of all, the most important factor in making this project is the children interviewed want to tell their stories. There is no question that in the process of interviewing the children the experiences that were told were sometimes painful and difficult for the children, and for the interviewer, to hear. I can only speak for myself- I've had ten years of experience talking to displaced people, children and adults, so I know how to separate the intense emotional nature of these stories, and the work at hand.
Washington, D.C.:
I wish I had seen your play. In the busy life of an urban school teacher it slipped my mind until I saw the article.
Would you consider doing a similar play about the life and experiences children from Americas inner cities? It was mentioned in the article possibly having a member from Washington, D.C. but their experiences are ongoing an didn't mesh with the play.
Ping Chong: Yes. I would love to do a project on the life and experiences of inner city youth. Some inner city kids, say those that have experienced gun violence and gang culture, have had experiences as powerful and traumatic as those in Children of War. The reason we were not able to include an inner-city child in the original production was that it became clear that the act of coming forward to discuss gang experiences would expose the children to risk, both in their communities, and in their schools where they may have been expelled for admitting to gang involvement (based on N.Va's zero-tolerance policy for gang involvement in schools)
Also- one child we spoke with who was not gang involved, but who had experienced severe domestic violence, was so traumatized by the experience that he could not have told his story effectively.
New York, N.Y.:
Hi,
I have a degree in both theatre and anthropology, and your project fascinated and intrigued me. My question is, what do you think of the work that playwrights such as Eve Ensler do, in terms of using personal stories, often of trauma, for a dramatic work? She has works in which she performs others' stories or creates a play in which actors portray these stories.
Do you think this sort of work is as effective (for the audience) in getting the stories told as your methods?
Ping Chong: Good work is good work, no matter what the methodology. I saw the Vagina Monologues, and I really enjoyed it.
Hyattsville, Md.:
Sir, will you be able to put on more performances of this drama? Is there money coming in to support this? It seems so valuable, that I could wish it to be re-created all over.
Ping Chong: We are working on remounting the production. Of course, money is always a problem. The Undesirable Elements project (of which Children of War is one part, in addition to over 20 other productions world wide) requires a strong commitment from the local communities who invite us to create new versions, in this cast the Center for Multicultural Human Services in Fairfax, VA,and from the funders of my theater company. Right now the project is supported very generously by the Ford Foundation, as well as MetLife Foundation. Specifically, Children of War was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts Theater program, which has supported my work consistently over the last 20 years, the Rockefeller Foundation MAP program, and the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Thanks to all!
Washington, D.C.:
Hello Ping Chong-:
This is Hanna Kiuru signing in on behalf the United Nations High Commissioner Refugees. We highly commend your work and thank you for your support and committment to helping refugee children. Getting their stories out is important for increasing awareness about their plight. I also hope it was a beneficial and healing experience for your performers.
I am interested in knowing how successful was last night's performance? Was the event well attended? Can you tell me, roughly, how many people were there?
Ping Chong: Thank you for your kind words. We deeply respect the work you are doing as well.
The performances of Children of War took place from December 5-15 at Theater Space, George Mason University Center for the Arts. We think about 1,000 people saw it, plus of course all the people who learned about the project through the wonderful article in the Post Magazine.
We do hope the production will tour, so many more people will have the opportunity to see the work and hear the stories of these incredible young people.
Herndon, Va.:
Admirable project, but it's hard not to worry about exploiting children's trauma. How do you discern which children will not be harmed by the relating their experiences? What are the criteria you use? (And how can you really know without tracking over time?) Finally, do these children get access to professional, PTSD or trauma-therapy professionals?
Ping Chong: Your concerns are justified, and the Center for Multicultural Human Services helped us navigate this issue. All the participants were pre-screened by Kacie Fisher and Andrea Zalzal Sanderson, both professional therapists. There was a therapist present at every rehearsal and every interview. While the Center itself could not directly treat the children due to patient-therapist confidentiality concerns, those that seemed to need further therapy were recommended for further professional treatment.
But, most important, these children chose to participate in this project, because they wanted to tell their stories, to share them with others, and to be believed.
Fairfax, Va.:
Sir,
Do you have plans to film and release your productions, in particular, "Undesirable Elements" and "Children of War?"
Ping Chong: There is a video version of another Undesirable Elements production, titled Secret History, available for sale through my theater company. You can order it from our website, www.pingchong.org.
Children of War was filmed by Cox Communications and I believe that it is or will be shown on cable channels in Fairfax County, VA.
Also, a documentary feature about Children of War was filmed for NOW with Bill Moyers on PBS and will be broadcast later this spring. Check our website for the airdate, we will post it once we know it.
Leesburg, Va.:
Reading the article, I am so disappointed to have missed seeing "Children of War." It sounds like a very powerful and necessary tool for both the "performers" and the audience. Will there be another opportunity to see it in the Northern VA area? You may not be the one to ask, but how can an "average American family" get involved in being of any help or encouragement to refugee families? My heart went out to these children and their families who have already been through so much and then have to try to fit in to such an extremely different and often insensitive culture. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Ping Chong: I think that if the "average American family" wants to help out refugee families in the Northern VA/DC area, I would highly recommend contacting the Center for Multicultural Human Services. They do amazing work, and are always looking for volunteers. Here is their contact info:
Center for Multicultural Human Services
701 West Broad Street, Suite 305, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA, Phone: (703) 533-3302, www.cmhsweb.org
Washington, D.C.:
Mr. Chong, I'm a great admirer of yours, and I'm happy to hear that you're back in the area. In the Post article and in your previous work you have often examined "the other." Along with refugees and immigrants, who else's stories of "otherness" do you (as a socially engaged artist) find compelling at this particular historical moment?
Ping Chong: Right now I am very interested in stories of homeless kids, gay kids, and the millions of kids who are living in America below the poverty line and have no public voice at all.
I am also working on a project about the effects of colonialism in the Belgian Congo, which will be produced sometime next year.
Olney, Md.:
What will you be doing in your residency at the University of Maryland? I heard you might be directing an opera?
Ping Chong: I am teaching a class at the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and directing Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, which premieres in May. You can check out their website (or mine) for ticket details
http://www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/index.cfm?content=performances/genre/opera
Chantilly, Va.:
1. When your Show "Children of War" will be go public and where the show is going to be shown. I would like to go and would to bring my friends to go with me. Youe are great!
2. Did you ever think of including youths from Vietnam, Korea or other war zones areas from the Southern Eastern Asia in your show. I believe the conservative Asian families should have a voice in this. It is a shame to talk about problems publically in Asia or in front of your families and that is why there are so many neurotics among Asians.
3. Where can I send possible contributions to your show? Good luck.
Ping Chong: Well, I am not going to comment about the number of neurotic Asians out there,but generally speaking, Asians are reticent about talking about personal problems in public. This has not always helped us individually or advanced us politically in America. That said, I have had people from Viet Nam and Korea and other South East Asians in previous Undesirable Elements productions, including one done at the GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington DC in 1999.
Of course, donations are always welcome (and tax deductible!) at Ping Chong & Company: 47 Great Jones street, New York, NY 10012. I am sure that the Center for Multicultural Human Services also appreciates donations.
Austin, Tex.:
I was fortunate enough to participate in a month-long workshop with you and Meridith Monk at Oberlin College in the early 1970s with other dance and theater collete students -- one of the more influential artistic experiences of my life.
Ping Chong: I remember the workshop at Oberlin, and wasn't that a time! By the way, Meredith Monk is performing at the Clarice Smith Center at the University of Maryland on Tuesday March 4 with the Bang on a Can All Stars. Don't miss it!
Mt. Rainier, Md.:
Ah, dear sir, I know you will never run out of projects, but in case the unthinkable happens, consider creating a drama for the Rwandan genocide. Rev. John Rutsindintwarance is helping to create reconciliation projects for the Rwandese, and there is a lot of misery and heartbreak to heal there, too!
Ping Chong: Interesting you should say that. I am working on a project which we are currently calling the Africa Project, which is about the effects of colonialism in Africa. I was inspired to undertake this project by two books: King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hoschchild on the history of the Congo, and by We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda by Philip Gourevitch, about the genocide in Rwanda. I recommend both of these books. Comparisons are odious and unfair, but it is hard to imagine a more horrifying and overlooked history than the Rwandan genocide. It is particularly sad that our government bears some responsibility for the sad things that went on there. I would be very interested in learning more about the Reverand's reconciliation project. Please feel free to contact my office at pingchong@earthlink.net.
Harrisburg, Pa.:
There are quite a number of foreign residents in America who were victims of torture and trauma. Several years ago, there was federal legislation proposed stating that our country should offer medical and psychiatric assistance to such victims. Do you believe there is a role or a responsibility that our government do something to assist people who were victimized in other countries?
Ping Chong: Yes, I do.
Fairfax, Va.:
Do the young people you worked with in "Children of War" have the same memories of their traumas as when you first interviewed them? Have they de-personalized their own accounts by the re-telling?
Ping Chong: That's a bit on the technical side for me- when it comes to evaluating therapeutic benefits, I must defer to the therapists we worked with at CMHS. You might want to contact someone there directly- their website is www.cmhsweb.org
Seminole, Fla.:
What would it take for us to have this show in Tampa Bay Performing Arts Theater?
Ping Chong: Thank you for your interest! Please contact my office at pingchong@earthlink.net for further information on presenting possibilities.
Ping Chong: Many of you have asked when and where you can see Children of War next or other shows in the Undesirable Elements series. We have gotten an amazing response to Children of War, and we are in various discussions to remount it in the future. We hope we will be able to do so. To find out about future productions, the best thing is to regularly check in with our website, www.pingchong.org. We keep all upcoming productions and events posted there.
The next Undesirable Elements are scheduled for Berlin, Germany in June 2003, Lille, Amherst, Massachussetts in September 2003, France in December 2003.
Ping Chong: Thank you all for your thoughtful questions. Children of War was an amazing project to work on. I also want to thank Douglas McGray for his sensitive and insightful article and all the wonderful people at CMHS and the Theater for the First Amendment who helped make Children of War possible, but particularly Yarvin, Abdul, Farinaz, Dereen, Fatu, and Awa, our cover girl!
As a closing thought, I would just like to say that the single biggest way we can have an impact on Children of War is by working for and promoting peace and justice around the world.
Best wishes,
Ping Chong
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