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The public is invited to navigate a world of mythological creatures while exploring Filipino identity and self-discovery in a new play titled, “The Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant.”
Co-produced by the ROŪGE Theater Reinvented and ODU Theatre, the play will have its run of shows on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16-19 at ODU’s University Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia.
The myth-meets-pageant spectacular is a collaboration between Filipino Americans Kat Stevens (writer), Philip Odango (creative lead) and Rachel Crist Lizan (director), and coincides with the annual ODU Literary Festival.
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“Navigate a world filled with fantastical creatures and heartwarming camaraderie while uncovering the true meaning of identity and self-discovery in The Great Filipino American ASWANG Pageant,” according to the event statement.
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The production combines mythology, camp and high-stakes pageantry with music and scandal, reimagining Filipino folklore through spectacle while encouraging cultural discovery and pride in one’s identity.
Ahead of the production, ROŪGE Theater, with the support of Virginia Humanities and The Virginia Commission for the Arts, has announced its Filipino-American Story Archive Project in association with “The Great Filipino American Aswang Pageant.”
“Through this grant, artists and creatives of ROŨGE seek to engage in meaningful dialogue with Filipino-Americans in Hampton Roads, to understand and celebrate their stories of heritage, the power of myths and traditions being passed down through word, and immortalize them in a digital archive,” the event statement said.
ROŪGE Theater rides the momentum of an outdoor production of “Romeo & Juliet” at the historic Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach this past June. Meanwhile, ODU celebrates its 48th Annual Literary Festival running Oct. 5-10, featuring readings from various authors, writing workshops and many more, on top of the “ASWANG” production.
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