Charlette San Juan
Filipino Theatre Artists In America
Participatory Digital Project
Project statement
The Filipino Theatre Artists in America is a project that aims to collect stories and narratives of Filipino Theatre Artists who are currently in residence in the United States. The project will be a platform to promote visibility, share their stories, illustrate the diverse lives and experiences of these artists, inspire others of their struggles and their achievements, and celebrate the important contributions of the Filipino people to the colorful and dynamic theatre arts industry.
The mission of this project is to strengthen the visibility for Filipino/x-identifying theatre artists who are based in the United States. To accomplish this, we will be featuring on our website these Filipino theatre artists from across America, as the project will map out their various locations or where they are “physically” right now. We will be a platform to share their stories, illustrate the diverse lives and experiences of these artists, inspire others of their struggles and their achievements, and celebrate the important contributions of the Filipino people to the colorful and dynamic theatre arts industry.
With this funding, we will be able to expand our community outreach and network using digital promotions and advertising. The funding will also allow us to hire writers and contributors and commission artists to participate in the development of our website. Although the effect of the project might not be immediate—as the success might not manifest through the likes and followers we’ll gain throughout the project— what wish to achieve is really to supply a resource to future generations, so they may see that they are represented in the larger stage and that they have predecessors in the field who have persisted to create art in various places across the United States.
Today, there is still stigma and racism in America, there is a barrier that prevents people from identifying themselves as “Filipinos” instead of “Filipino-Americans”, this is a nuanced issue, and we understand the diaspora immigrants and descendants of immigrants go through as they live in a foreign land. Admittedly, the project will not be able to solve these issues, however, we stand by those who are fighting for equity in the workplace, ending racism and taking ownership of our people's stories. The project intends to support these movements and will live digitally for as long as there are Filipinos in this land.
Artist Biography
“Ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y 'di magdidilim"
“Their stars and sun shall never dim”
CHARLETTE is a Theatre Artist from Manila, Philippines. Her deepest dreams of pursuing a sustainable career in theatre come alongside her dreams to provide a landscape and opportunities, to continuously advocate for access and visibility for women of color, especially Filipinos. By profession, she is a production and stage manager for theatre and events. Full-time learner and academic during all four seasons. To live and to leave. To live this mission, and to leave a trail for anyone who wishes to pursue the same path she is trying to conquer. To celebrate the human experience through the profound work of art that is Theatre.