Graduating Seniors
Chanrith Siv
David Chhay
Gemmy Hannsun
Lily Chhan
Lindsey Ngo
Michael Amutan
Michelle Be
Saly Heng
Steven Vong
Suleen Lao
Trung Nguyen
Congratulations class of 2012! We are all so proud of you!
Tonight’s Program Khmer Classical Dance: Phuong Neary Staff Video President and Director’s Message Act I Scene 1: “Everything the Light Touches Will Be Your Kingdom” Scene 2: “The Only Person Fit to be the Next King is Me” Scene 3: “I Am Sophanakha” Scene 4: “Use Your Power and Take Revenge on Those Men” Traditional Dance: Robam Konsaeng Sneah (Magic Scarf Dance) Scene 5: “The Perfect Disguise” Scene 6: “Leave Us Alone You Stupid Bird” Scene 7: “You Need to Save Her” Scene 8: “I Am Hanuman. At Your Service” Scene 9: “Even at My Age, There are Things That I Still Don’t Know” Scene 10: “It’s A Haunted Rotisserie Chicken!” Intermission UKS Video ACT II Scene 1: “What Did You Do to My Son?” Scene 2: “May I Ask for Permission to Build this Bridge?” Traditional Dance: Robam Nissat (Fishing Dance) Scene 3: “Maybe You Should Consider Someone Else” Scene 4: “How Anticlimactic” Scene 5: “Hanuman, Go!” Scene 6: “Have you Betrayed Me?” Scene 7: “What is There Left to be Said?” Scene 8: “You’re not the Queen around here” Modern Curtain Call
Staff
Sokline Hing President
Michelle Be Internal VicePresident
Suleen Lao External VicePresident
Lily Chhan Fiscal Coordinator
Gemmy Hannsun Public Relations Officer
Jessica Heng Historian/Webmaster
Jenny Tran Culture Night Director
Nancy Vong Culture Night Intern
Mia Huor Intern
Sharon Heng Intern
K.O.R.E Khmer Outreach Retention, Education
Angelina Yim KORE Director
Theresa Ly KORE Coordinator
Laura Duong KORE Coordinator
KORE (Khmer Outreach Retention, Education) was started by United Khmer Students of UCLA in 2003 to address the low rate of Khmer youth graduating from high school and lacking numbers of the Khmer people in higher education. KORE’s Mentorship Program promotes the importance of higher education and assists Long Beach youth in developing skills that enable them to achieve their full potential. During this year long program, UKS volunteers are paired up with Long Beach high school students from Poly, Wilson, Millikan and Cabrillo. KORE provides monthly after-school tutoring sessions/workshops at the local Mark Twain Library as well as field trips that expose students to various fields of study and career options. Mentorship Conference and College Tour is an annual event in which high school students are bused over to the UCLA campus and partici- pate with UKS in campus tours, student panels, seminars with guest speakers, and college preparation workshops.
Presiden’t Message Good evening mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and all, I would like to personally welcome you all to the United Khmer Students 15th culture night. I am truly honored and blessed to have served as the United Khmer Students president. On behalf of our student organization I would like to thank you all for finding the time to come join and support us tonight. Through our endeavors I would like to proudly recognize all of my staff for their efforts to make another year and another night like this possible. I would also like to thank the members and supporters alike for the sweat and tears to make another year of production possible. The amount of time and effort we all put into this production can not be accounted for but we are proud to represent what and who we think we are as Khmer/Khmer-Americans in this show. Each year as seekers of knowledge, folks from many backgrounds specifically of Khmer ancestor outreach to something and someone like us, the United Khmer Student organization. The United Khmer Students and like our sister organizations throughout California seeks to provide answers and space. However I feel that we do not only provide answers to our members and non members alike but give them the tools and ability to learn about others and most importantly oneself. UKS provides not only the space but peoples experience in finding their path to guide new ones on their own. We can only act as the force of understanding with a touch of compassion to learn what it is our culture and heritage has to offer which I believe is so grand. The things that I have gained through my years here at UCLA and especially from UKS I am pleased to say I have learned so much more than I had ever expected. I thought I knew it all about being Khmer and what the term having pride meant. I can honestly be expressive of this pride in many and various manners either it be through words, body language or images. I hope that you all will gain a better insight of our beautiful and lavish culture through our expressive and prideful representation of this culture night. As stated on the mountains of Cambodia, “I am proud to be born as Khmer.� This here statement is the most valuable words to me as I will carry this piece of treasure with me everywhere.
Sokline Hing, President Again thank you for continuing to support UKS and do enjoy the show.
About the Story “The Reamker” The Reamker is a Cambodian epic poem that is adapted from the Sanskrit “The Ramayana.” The story is known for its popular themes in love, trust, and betrayal. Within Cambodian culture, this story is popularly portrayed through a royal ballet. It follows the story of a young prince, Preah Ream, that is banished from his kingdom. While in his banishment, his wife, Neang Seda, becomes captured and it is up to him with a little help from some friends, to resucue her before it’s too late. Our hero can only hope to rescue her before anything should happen to her, wherever she may have run off to. This story typically features many different characters ranging form humans, ogres, and animals with many colorful personalities. These many characters also follow various subplots within the story itself. Characters from this story can be found carved into scultures of Cambodia such as Hanuman and Sovann Maccha. They can also be seen in the popular classical ballet of the monkey and the mermaid. Our aim in choosing this story to be portrayed for you tonight is to present to you a story found in Cambodian culture that is not extremely well known within the Cambodian American community. In doing this, we also chose to mix together this traditional story with a somewhat modern twist to it. We have also chosen to add our own creative changes to the story and hopefully as these elements of the past and present come together, you can enjoy this production.
Director’s Message To all friends, family members, and everyone that made it out tonight, I am proud to present to you our 15th annual Culture Night, “The Reamker.” UKS’s Culture Night has also been a large part of my experience here at UCLA and I honored to be able to direct this year’s show. Culture Night has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people in this organization and many whom I have become great friends with. My adventure here, especially through Culture Night will always hold dear to my heart. I have learned more than I could possible imagine about the Khmer culture through this organization and I am grateful that I am able to give back to the Khmer community. The reason that I chose this particular story, “The Reamker” to base this year’s production on was not an easy choice. I stumbled across the story one day in my Khmer language textbook and became intrigued with the quick synopsis that was rich in fascinating characters and story lines. Upon further research, I became acquainted with the characters and the story and knew that this was something I wanted to do. However, the idea of basing Culture Night on something so complicated was nerve-wracking enough. More so, I asked my parents if they knew the story and they were still rather fuzzy about it. Nonetheless, I knew that a story that has become somewhat lost in the Khmer culture is the perfect theme for Culture Night. So with a little persuasion from my friends, Culture Night took off and here we are. I could not be more happy with my choice. I want to personally thank each and every member of the United Khmer Students that has helped me so much along the way to bring my vision to life. All their hard work and dedication should not go unnoticed as none of this would have been possible without them. I also want to thank everyone that has supported our organization through our journey into putting on this production. Thank you everyone and enjoy the show. With love,
Jenny Tran, Culture Night Director 2012
Intern’s Message Welcome all to United Khmer Student’s 2012 Culture Night I would like to thank everyone for coming to the show and demonstrating their support. Grateful for the support of our peers, family members, and friends, we hope that the night will be one to remember. Everyone in UKS has worked endlessly to put together a production aimed to entertain and educate the audience in our culture, and we all hope to do just that. As a first year, this is my very first culture night with UKS, and though the hours were long and the work tedious, it has been a very rewarding experience. Each cast and crew came together in a special time of the year where each of us contributes to the greater entity that is Culture Night. The members each contribute a bit of their lives, time, culture, and personality to a fabulous event that showcases Khmer culture – illuminating our pride as a club, an ethnicity, and a family. I cannot express how proud I am to see everything come together in a night that everyone will enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed working on it. It is my hope that each member of the audience will relish in the show, and if it be so, put your hands together for United Khmer Student’s 15th Annual Culture Night!
Nancy Vong, Culture Night Intern 2012
Classical Dance Coordinator: Chey Chankethya
Robam Phuong Neary This Classical dance describes the beauty of Khmer woman. The music and the melodic song narrated her uncompromising beauty and compare it to a golden flower. Although she is practical and strong, she is also admirable and soft. This dance brings out all of which true beauty is.
Dancers: Lisa Tan, Lily Chhan, Irrawaddy Lamouth, Angelina Yim, Nancy Vong, Michelle Be, and Jessica Heng
UKS Modern Coordinator: Albert Heng UKS Modern originated two years ago during Culture Night 2010 by none other than this year’s coordinator, Albert Heng. It was first introduced as a “Director’s Surprise.” UKS has continued this legacy and its purpose in UKS’s Culture Night is to showcase the modern aspect of culture as well as serve as an outlet for the dancing spirit in UKS. We have all practiced long and hard to bring you this piece of Culture Night.
Dancers: Jessica Heng, Nancy Vong, Sokline Hing, Jenny Tran, Chanrith Siv, Selina Lau, Gemmy Hannsun, Suleen Lao, Antonio Figueroa, Melanie Lim, Michael Amutan, Lily Chhan, Jimmy Gov, Connie Lav, and David Chhay
Cast
Michael Amutan as Preah Ream
David Chhay as Preah Leak
Mia Huor as Neang Seda
Sokline Hing as Krong Reap
Lily Chhan as Sophanakha
Gemmy Hannsun as Hanuman
Angelina Yim as Neang Kokolyan
Lindsey Ngo as Queen
Sharon Heng as Queen’s Servant
Antonio Figueroa as Nancy Vong as Monkey King and Neang Asamoh and Krong Reap (Hermit) Tealight Candle
Saly Heng as King
Cast
Lisa Tan as Sovann Maccha
Jessica Heng as Mermaid #1
Suechu Taing as Mermaid #2 and Tealight Candle
Michelle Be as Mermaid #3
Jimmy Gov as Monkey #1 and Jetayuh
Oliver Huang as Monkey #2
Chanrith Siv as Monkey #3
Laura Duong as Moharik
Theresa Ly as Sompali and Tealight Candle
Linna Ly as Tealight Candle
Traditional Dance Coordinators: Suleen Lao and Lily Chhan
Robam Konsaeng Sneah (Magic Scarf Dance) This folk dance originates from the Cham Muslim ethnic group’ in Cambodia, who once had their own Kingdom known as Champa, present-day Vietnam. The dance expresses the Cham custom of courtship between men’ and women. Cham women traditionally cover their faces with scares when they go out. Since the Cham believe in magic and spells- especially for choosing their partners- the dancers in this dance use the scarves to magically court their lovers. The music accompanying the dance is Cham style, with lively use of the yike drum, an original Cham instrument.
Dancers: Angela Arunarsirakul, Gemmy Hannsun, Lindsey Ngo, Jenny Tran, Selina Lau, Suleen Lao, Connie Lav, Nancy Vong, Michelle Be, Chanrith Siv, Lily Chhan, Jimmy Gov Not Pictured: Sokline Hing, Allen Taing, Charrany Thiem, and Parra Phuong
Robam Nissat (Fishing Dance) This lively folk dance depicts the daily life of Khmer farmers and Fishermen, who dance with traditional bamboo fishÂing equipment such as the angrut (a braided bell-like bamboo trap), and chneang (braided bamboo baskets). Traditionally, fishing quarters often served as a meeting place far young couples. Depicting a charming courting scene, playful teasing among the young men and women make this dance very popular among audiences today.
Dancers: Gemmy Hannsun, Sokline Hing, Michael Amutan, Suleen Lao, Antonio Figueroa, David Chhay, Steven Vong, Melanie Lim, Mia Huor, Sharon Heng, Satthea Khay, Jenny Tran, Lily Chhan, Angelina Yim
Committees Props and Stage Crew Committee Heads: Lindsey Ngo & Selina Lau This committee brings all the brings all the scenes of the show to life. Sets are designed and all the props are constructed and collected for the production. The stage crew is responsible for all the movement of props on and off stage.
Members: Gemmy Hannsun, Connie Lav, Jenny Tran, Jimmy Gov, Lindsey Ngo, Nancy Vong, Selina Lau, Chanrith Siv, Sharon Heng, Angelina Yim, and Michelle Be
Costume Committee Head: Sokline Hing This committee is reponsible for the attire worn by all of the performers tonight. Appropriate costumes are researched and designed. Also, this year’s production features many intricate pieces and accessories that have been constructed by hand.
Martial Arts Committee Head: Gemmy Hannsun
Members: Sokline Hing, Nancy Vong, Jenny Tran, Suleen Lao, Antonio Figueroa, David Chhay, Chanrith Siv, Oliver Huang, Jimmy Gov, and Michael Amutan
Film Committee Head: Michelle Be and Nancy Vong
Members: Sokline Hing, Nancy Vong, Antonio Figueroa, Chanrith Siv, Michelle Be, Gemmy Hannsun and Jenny Tran
Graphics Committee Head: Jenny Tran and Jessica Heng
Sponsors Platinum
GOLD
Modern Fabric
1636 E Anaheim St Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3333
Silver
Sean Market
1569 E Anaheim St Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-4717
Bronze
SPECIAL THANKS The Center for Student Programming Kris Kaupalolo, CSP Advisor Schoenberg Music Hall Staff Campus Program Committee of the Programs Activities Board Undergraduate Student Association Programming Fund Undergraduate Student Association Council UKS Alumni Asian Pacific Coalition The Cambodian Family Cambodian Culture & Art Association (C.C.A.A.) Albert Heng (sound editor, choreographer) Rachel Momo Okimoto (choreographer) Melanie Lim (choreographer) Stage Manager: Selina Lau Make-up by: Nancy Tran and Suechu Taing Khmer Student Coalition California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach University of California, Berkeley University of California, Irvine
http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/uks/