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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | SEPTEMBER 12, 2021
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Chandler artist conveys immigrant experience BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor
When Shachi Kale first came to Arizona in 2001, she felt like the fairytale character Rapunzel trapped in an ivory tower. The artist didn’t know a soul in Chandler, except her husband, who went to work. The career she had left behind in Mumbai, India, as an advertising and design executive seemed to fade. Kale started doing what she did best – creating art. She also followed a few classes and met a few movers and shakers in the local arts and education arena. “I had to create a new life for myself altogether from scratch,” she recalled. This new life included producing a series of paintings where she drew modernized imagery from fairy tales and depicted herself as its characters. They are now on display in a show entitled “Between Two Worlds: Storytelling and Artwork by Shachi Kale” running through September at The Gallery at Chandler Center for the Arts, curated by Vision Gallery. Kale is also preparing for another show in November, sharing a gallery space at Mesa Community College with abstract fine arts painter, Swapna Das. In “Between Two Worlds,” Rapunzel lets out her long hair from a tall
Left: Chandler artist Shachi Kale loves experimenting and building on her unique style. Right: Chandler artist Shachi Kale created a series of paintings where she drew modernized imagery from fairy tales and symbolized herself as its characters. (Courtesy of Shachi Kale)
adobe building amid colorful desert plants, Alice in Wonderland falls down a city-landscaped rabbit hole, a post-marriage Cinderella looks downcast with a vacuum cleaner, Gretel snacks on supermarket junk food, unknowingly preparing to be fed to the witch, and so on. The experience is similar to most
new immigrants, although many may not express it as cleverly as Kale did. Chandler exhibits curator, Jillian Nakornthap said the work was selected because “it was incredibly relatable to many transplants that call Chandler home.” “Whether you’re from Minneapolis or Mumbai, the culture and climate here is like nothing else, so having an exhibition
that discussed the ups and downs of the transition was a no-brainer,” she said. “Further, many people on the spousal visa, could relate and it may even help for them to know that what they are experiencing is not isolated. They can find others that can help them through this journey, much like Shachi did,” she added. Now with two sons and a thriving career as a freelance graphic designer, artist and book illustrator, Kale has found contentment anew. The last painting in the show shows her outfitted to soar with the wings of a Phoenix: “the only way out of a fairytale is to step out of the tower, make it through the woods, face the dragon, get reduced to cinders and then build herself up all the way again, like a Phoenix,” she wrote. In 2019, Kale exhibited these works in Scottsdale. “It is very therapeutic and it’s my passion; the story had been percolating in me for so many years but I think it was only in hindsight that I was able to express it,” she said. “It took me 18 years to see the story from a distance.” In her show, several of the works are portraits of individuals who helped her in her journey. “My favorite part of the exhibit is the tribute to the people who made it posSee
KALE on page 44
East Valley Children’s Theatre marks 25 years BY SRIANTHI PERERA Contributor
A 25-year-long love letter to creating, performing, growing and making friends that have become family. That’s how C. Lynn Johnson describes East Valley Children’s Theater. Her talents run the gamut from theater hair stylist to playwright, all of which have won her awards. As a teen, she starred in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the theater’s first production. “EVCT has been family to me for 25 years,” she said. “It’s a safe space where I can play and create freely. It’s the place that I can say that outside of my family’s influence, shaped me into the person I am today. “From being one of the performers to myself then being one of those adults shaping the performers who came after me, it’s been an honor to be part of EVCT’s impact on our community,” she added. For nearly 25 years, the Mesa-based children’s theater has shepherded nearly 14,000 youth ages 5 to 18 who have donned costumes, assumed roles, walked, danced, sung and spoken their practiced words on stage. The nonprofit has produced 86 shows and has grown from a single production and workshop in the first year to a full-service theater offering numerous additional programs, classes, camps and performance troupes among
Preparing for their roles in “The Clumsy Princess” are, from left, Ava Wright of Chandler as Tilly, Marco Velasquez of Gilbert as Prince Stephan and Patricia Dawson of Mesa as Felicity. (Penrod Photography)
them. It’s also known for its playwriting contest, presenting original works for children annually. EVCT was an all-volunteer organization until two years ago, when it hired an office manager and a bookkeeper. Its current annual budget is about $250,000 and its main donors have included The Boeing Co. of Mesa and Arizona Commission on the Arts. “I just enjoy working with the theater;
I enjoy the kids,” said Karen Rolston, the producing artistic director who played a vital role in the theater’s development. Rolston, a teacher from Mesa Public Schools, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Arizona State University, took on the theater in her retirement. Now that the 25th season is about to begin, she plans to retire in earnest. Also departing is Kathie McMahon, who served in many roles within the organization, the last as past president, head of the advisory board and marketing director. McMahon, who leads the 25th year anniversary celebration committee, observed, “From performing in a junior high auditorium to becoming a Founding Resident Company of the Mesa Arts Center; from rehearsal in a pre-school building to offering classes, troupes, camps, and performances in a foursuite studio; from an unknown theatre to a highly regarded, award-winning nonprofit organization; it’s been a miraculous 20-plus years.” A professional musician, McMahon composed original music for seven of EVCT’s productions. She received six ariZoni nominations and four garnered awards. Parents enroll children in the theater for many reasons, but interest is perhaps key. Five years ago, Tre Moore of Mesa was enrolled in a musical theater summer camp. That was the beginning of a new passion for the now 17-year-old. “Theatre appeals to me because the possibilities are endless. Nothing
is impossible in theatre. With the right amount of imagination, you can go just about anywhere,” said the self-confessed “completely unapologetic Broadway and musical theatre nerd.” Parent volunteer Marco Velasquez Sr. of Gilbert said that he enrolled his son, Marco Velasquez Jr. four years ago because he expressed a sincere interest in it. His daughter followed suit. Now 13, Marco is a seasoned thespian. He began at 9 with a performance with EVCT’s Performance Troupes and moved to stage productions for eight shows and participated in three virtual productions. His 6-year-old sister Victoria, also a participant, performed in a cabaret show and a production of Tales with Baba Yaga & A Bowl of Soup. Their father says it has been one of the best decisions he’s made for his children and his family. “EVCT provides a place where our children can perform, grow in confidence and respect of theatre and their fellow performers, and experience true joy. It’s just such an incredible experience we’ve been fortunate to have,” he said. “EVCT is so unique in that they’ve created a community and home whereby our children are challenged, can grow in confidence, and can experience such fun and beautiful experiences that we, as a family can also enjoy,” said Velasquez, who considers himself an unofficial amSee
THEATER on page 43
