Literature to Life stage presentation of The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang
Performed by Gaosong Heu
Adapted by Aurea Tomeski & Elise Thoron
Directed by Elise Thoron
Based on the novel The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Katia Yang, © 2008, published by Coffee House Press
NOTE
There is no intermission in tonight’s performance.
There will be a post-show discussion following the show.
There is a Hmong Story Cloth display in our lobby.
For booking inquiries about this or any other of Literature to Life's arts and literacy programs, please contact Lisa Beth Vettoso at Literature to Life: lisa.v@literaturetolife.org. Visit the company online at www.literaturetolife.org
PLEASE
About the Artists
Gaosong V. Heu (actor) Gaosong V. Heu is a Hmong American performance artist, musician, vocalist, published writer, educator, arts administrator and entrepreneur based in Saint Paul, MN. Gaosong has over 15 years of training in Western Classical music, as well as training in traditional styles of Hmong folk music. As a lover of all art and advocate for diversity, access and inclusion within the cultural sector, Gaosong received her B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and her Masters of Arts in Arts Administration from Columbia University, class of 2020. Gaosong is currently starring in The Latehomecomer, a solo production based on the award-winning novel by beloved Hmong author, Kao Kalia Yang. This show is being produced by Literature to Life based in New York City. The Latehomecomer had its virtual premiere in the Spring of 2021 as part of the NEA's Big Read program and is currently available for national tours across the U.S. When Gaosong is not performing or working as an arts administrator and educator, she is the Chief Operating Officer of Marc Heu Patisserie Paris, St. Paul's premier destination for french desserts and pastries.
Originally from South Florida, Aurea Tomeski (co-adaptor) is a New York based actor, producer, and teaching artist. She holds a B.S. in Pre-Med/ Psychology (NYU) and an M.F.A. in Acting (New School) and received additional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She has performed with Ensemble Studio Theatre
The Lark, New York Stage and Film, Ars Nova, FringeNYC, New York Shakespeare Exchange, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, California Shakespeare Company, A Noise Within, and Human Race Theatre, and she has also appeared in national commercials, web-series, and independent films. Since 2015, Aurea has toured extensively across the United States performing Literature to Life's one-woman version of Lois Lowry’s classic young adult novel, The Giver. Marking her first foray into script development and playwriting, she recently completed a theatrical co-adaptation of the acclaimed autobiography The Latehomecomer, another Literature to Life touring title. She is a Drama Curriculum Specialist and Teaching Artist at The Juilliard School and has led numerous workshops centered around solo-storytelling and empowerment through personal narrative in under-served communities all over the world. Other selected teaching artist work includes: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Young Audiences New York and Young Audiences Maryland. As a producer, Aurea is passionate about bringing original, socially-conscious work to the forefront. She functioned as the lead producer for Wide Eyed Productions’ FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT, featuring three original commissioned one-act plays inspired by the First Amendment, with proceeds going to the ACLU. She is the Associate Artistic Producer of Writopia Lab’s Worldwide Plays Festival, which annually showcases original plays written by children from all over the country. Aurea is proud to volunteer as an artist-mentor at The 52nd Street Project. She is also a certified running coach and Director of Program Development at Run4Fun International, a nonprofit organization focused on the interplay of exercise and mental health in youth.
Sponsors
Tonight’s performance is a collaboration between the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and the NYS Writers Institute.
UALBANY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC, 266 518-442-3995 www.albany.edu/pac
NEW YORK STATE WRITERS INSTITUTE Science Library 320 518-442-5620 www.nyswritersinstitute.org
Literature to Life's production of The Latehomecomer is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. .
Major funding support provided by the Alumni Association through the Grandma Moses Fund .
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Alumni House 518-442-3080 www.albany.edu/alumni
Additional support also provided by the University at Albany Foundation, University Auxiliary Services & Office of Intercultural Student Engagement
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY FOUNDATION University Administration Building, 226 518-437-5090 www.albany.edu/uafoundation
UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY SERVICES University Administration Building, 232 518 442 5950 www.albany.edu/uas
INTERCULTURAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Campus Center B91 518 442 5565 www.albany.edu/multicultural
History of Literature to Life Productions at UAlbany
The UAlbany
Arts Center’s
theatres,
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres,
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HOUSE POLICIES
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management and its staff.
The use of photographic or recording devices of any kind during this performance is strictly prohibited.
There is no food or drink allowed in the theatres, nor is smoking allowed in UAlbany buildings.
To avoid disrupting the performance, kindly disable any noise making electronic devices you may have with you.
Please take time to note the location of the fire exits nearest to you. In the event of an emergency, an announcement will be made from the stage. Please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.
Created and produced by the University Art Museum, NYS Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with WAMC Public Radio, this popular series features leading figures from a variety of artistic disciplines in conversation about their creative inspirations, their craft and their careers. “Roundtable” host Joe Donahue conducts live on-stage interviews followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Have your next event here... (518) 442-3995 www.albany.edu/pacPAC@albany.edu
three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
Performing
six
three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
erforming rts enterPAC university at albany State University of
New York
2022-23
Urban Bush Women UAlbany Performing Arts Center September 20 & 21at 7:30pm
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