About five elements theater
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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
SHIYU LI ShiYu Li was born in China. She founded a band called ChiChu, which mixed pop, jazz, blues and rock. She competed in music festivals and won awards, this singer/songwriter even produced her own EP, Night. She got her BFA at the China Conservatory of Music and continued her path in the performing arts. She performed in a number of plays & musicals like, A Story of Lala’s Promotion. When she moved to the US and decided to take month long journey down Route 66 to experience an iconic part of America. She believes that taking that journey has helped her to understand American culture and values. She then moved to San Francisco to earn her MFA in Acting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. While in San Francisco, Shiyu performed with, Sutter Street Theater’s Spring 2016 production of Legally Blonde directed by Clark Houston Lewis. She also participated in a production of The Wizard of Oz in 2017, in which she played the iconic role of Dorothy. In December 2017, she also performed a solo concert directed by musical director Caroline Altman, in which she sang songs from broadway and vaudeville. ShiYu then moved to New York City. ShiYu performed in various off-broadway and indie theater productions throughout New York City. In the summer of 2018, she toured as a part of the cast of Summer Street Theater directed by Crystal Field with Theater for the New City. As a part of the Summer Street Theater cast, she played multiple roles within the show, ranging from a demon to a high school student. Shiyu also played the lead role, Li Ming, in an original dramatic off-broadway musical, WarLovers, at Theater Row. She has also played a frustrated artist in the beloved long-running satire, A Sketch of New York, at the Producer’s Club Theater. Now she is the co-founder of the Five Elements Theater and wants to push the boundaries she has worked so hard to do in her career. She is excited to continue to grow as a human being and as an artist. |
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
ALEXIE CRUZ Alexie was Born in Buffalo but has lived in a mixture of the Caribbean and New York for most of his life. He stumbled upon Theater when a friend in school told him that there was a production and they were looking for Assistant Stage Managers for Three Penny Opera. After that experience, he knew Theater was for him. Then as things do, Life stepped in the way and for about 12 years he worked in construction from Inspector to Resident Engineer. He eventually found his way back to theater, choosing to leave construction behind and complete his Theater Degree which he left unfinished a decade before. While working towards his degree, he has worked as Director, Stage Manager and Asst. Stage Manager for a number of productions like Jolly Jack Junior (a Pirate Tale), Exit the King, Three Penny Opera, Capriccios, TNC’s Street Theater among other off-Broadway productions. As an Actor, he has most recently played The Father in Lorca’s, Blood Wedding, Man with Golf Club in Jose Rivera’s, Marisol, Chorus of Old Men in the Greek classic, Lysistrata and Roland in Sofia Sanchez’s, The Bronx is Next. He currently wants to enlighten more youth into the world of Theater and to help a new generation fall in love with it. He also is working to write and produce productions based on his Indigenous heritage. NOTE: He is also a photographer, to see his how work: www.alexiecruz.com |
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Joshua Jackson
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Joseph-Vernon Banks
Joseph has been a resident composer for The Theater for the New City (TNC) since 2000. His works with lyricist and director, Crystal Field includes: SHAME OR THE DOOMSDAY MACHINE (2018), CHECKS AND BALANCES (2017) ELECTION SELECTION OR YOU BET (2016), RIGHT TO TEACH (2015), EMERGENCY 2014), SANITATION (2013, 99% REDUCED FAT (2012) BAMBOOZLED, (2011), GONE FISSION (2010), BUKLE MY SHOE (2007), TAPD ANCE (2006), SOCIAL INSECURITY (2005), ON THE M15: CODE ORANGE (2004), STATE OFTHE UNION (2003), ACCESS UPHEAVAL (2002), THE PATIENTS ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM (2001), BIOTECH (2000), He has composed the music for LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO CRY (book & lyrics by Michael Vazquez, TNC 1999)
Mr. Banks received an MFA Degree from the Tisch Graduate Theater Writing Program at New York University on a Dean’s Fellowship. While at Tisch Joe was mentored by the Tony Award winning composer William Finn (Spelling Bee, Falsettos) and Ricky Ian Gordon (Wild Party, First Lady Suite) Joseph-Vernon wrote the music, book and lyrics for a 20 minute musical, GIRLFRIENDS! ( Music, lyrics and book)which was produced as a staged reading at the Goodspeed Opera House (2000). Joseph-Vernon also composed the musical based on the life of Madame C.J. Walker ENTITLED MADAME WALKER AND TH DIVINE DREAM(with book and lyrics by Steve Mackes). Readings of this production have been produced for the NYMF 2013 and the Work and Show series at BCC in New York City 2003. In addition, the production of the SUGARHILL SISTERS (with book and lyrics by Bil Wright) was produced as a reading at NYMF(2010). Mr. Banks received an MFA Degree from the Tisch Graduate Theater Writing Program at New York University on a Dean’s Fellowship (2000). Joseph is a graduate of City College/CUNY(1992) and recently received a second Masters in Music Education from The Teacher’s College/ Columbia University (2005). Awards have included; Meet The Composer Grant (2000, 2001), The ASCAP Special Awards Program. Mr. Banks is a member of the Dramatist Guild, The American Society of Composers and Authors (ASCAP)
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Foundation
Anonymous Sam Cheng Thameen Hamdan Irma Hernandez
Kenneth Hurtado Jinghan Huang Jialong Li Tia Li
Mayra Reyes Xiaozhu Yu Eric Zhao George Zhao Manyi Zhou
Kenneth Hurtado Jinghan Huang Jialong Li Tia Li
Mayra Reyes Xiaozhu Yu Eric Zhao George Zhao Manyi Zhou