Media

Renowned playwright David Henry Hwang to open the Summer Institute in the Arts & Humanities, HKU

06 Jul 2009

 

The Faculty of Arts of The University of Hong Kong are pleased to announce that renowned playwright David Henry Hwang will open the Summer Institute in the Arts & Humanities, with Dean of Arts, Professor Kam Louie. The Inauguration Ceremony will be held on 13 July 2009 (Monday) at 1:15pm, Loke Yew Hall, Main Building, HKU. David Henry Hwang will share his thoughts on interculturalism, identity and the world's perception of China and Chinese men, as well as discuss his current project, a musical entitled Bruce Lee: Journey to the West.

DAVID HENRY HWANG is a contemporary Chinese-American playwright, screenwriter, and librettist, best known as the author of M. Butterfly, which ran for two years on Broadway and won the 1988 Tony, Drama Desk, John Gassner, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as the 1991 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award. His new book for Rodgers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song earned him his third Tony nomination in 2003. He was the book writer of Disney's Tarzan, with score by Phil Collins, and also co-authored the book for Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, which ran almost five years on Broadway and won four 2000 Tony Awards. His opera libretti include three works by composer Philip Glass, 1000 Airplanes on the Roof (International Tour), The Voyage (Metropolitan Opera), and The Sound of a Voice (American Repertory Theatre).

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend the inauguration ceremony. Details are as follows:

Date: Monday 13 July 2009 (Monday)
Time: 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Loke Yew Hall, HKU
Officiating Guests:
- Mr David Henry Hwang, renowned playwright
- Professor Kam Louie, Dean of Arts

In the evening, there will be an Opening Celebration, with Readings of David Henry Hwang performed by members of The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (AFTEC), directed by Dr Vicki Ooi - University Artist and Artistic Director of AFTEC. After the performance, there will be a Question and Answer session. Details as follow:

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Loke Yew Hall
Officiating Guests:
- Professor Lap Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor of HKU
- Mr David Henry Hwang, renowned playwright

THE SUMMER INSTITUTE IN THE ARTS & HUMANITIES: The University of Hong Kong aims to strengthen its commitment to the Arts and Humanities through its newly-formed Summer Institute in the Arts & Humanities. Launched in 2009 by the Faculty of Arts, the Summer Institute celebrates human culture through a series of events and courses for secondary school students, university students and the general public. The theme of this year is "China-West", which runs during the summer from 13 July-14 August, and will involve both local and internationally renowned scholars and artists.

For the biography of DAVID HENRY HWANG, please click here.

For enquires or interview arrangement, please contact: Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk