Biography
|
Suzi Takahashi (she/her) is a biracial, Japanese/American theater creator, director, actor, and educator. She holds a BA in Theatre from Barnard College, an MA in Performance Studies from NYU-Tisch, and an MFA in Directing from Stony Brook Southampton. Suzi trained with the SITI Company. Suzi is part of the faculty at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting where she teaches Movement and directs. Recently, she was named Director of the Stella Adler Studio’s AAPI Artist's Initiative. Suzi also teaches Asian Theater at NYU-Tisch. Previously, she has taught theater at: The Actor’s Studio, Pace University (IPE,) Swarthmore College, The City College of New York, and Hunter College. As an actor, she has performed for artists like: Taylor Mac, Richard Foreman, Richard Schechner, Kristin Marting, and Phil Soltanoff. Suzi was a three-year member of the Williamstown Theater Festival’s “Non-Eq” company, and has toured nationally and internationally. She is a member of AFTRA. As a theater maker, Suzi has collaboratively created fifteen original works. Her most recent work, The Story Box (dir. Kristin Marting) will be produced by the HERE Arts Center in the Fall of 2021. Suzi was a two-time HARP Artist-in-Residence at HERE with the international women’s performance ensemble she co-founded, Ex.Pgirl (2002-10.) Also, she was an Emerging Artist Directing Fellow at the New York Theater Workshop. Suzi has won numerous grants for her original works, which mostly explore Asian American women’s identity. She was the recipient of the 2009 Innovative Theater Award for Best Director.
|
|
|
Current Productions
Come see THE STORY BOX September 11-October 9 Written and performed by Suzi Takahashi and directed by Kristin Marting, The Story Box explores the importance of safeguarding our civil rights through the lens of Japanese-American identity, using traditional Japanese storytelling elements, like kamishibai, along with Takahashi’s own family history. Representing the relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII, the audience will receive a suitcase and a tag, inside of which is a wireless headset and a family photo album. Each unique family photo album documents an account of the problematic history of Asian people in the U.S., and more recently, the rise in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic. Inspired by the events of writer/performer Suzi Takahashi’s own life and delivered through her own words performed live & transmitted via the headset, The Story Box asks audience members to reflect together on the stories in each suitcase, and they are invited to leave a story of their own behind for future audiences. For tickets and more info: here.org/shows/the-story-box/ |
|
Selected Original Works
- The Story Box (2021) written by Suzi Takahashi and directed by Kristin Marting. A solo show performed by Takahashi exploring the Atlanta Massacre, Asian Hate, and the Incarceration of Japanese Americans. Produced by the HERE Arts Center, NYC.
- Suzi Takahashi, Super Girl Detective (2018) written by Suzi Takahashi. A solo show performed by Takahashi exploring body image, superwomen, and first love. Presented at Bristol Valley Theater, NY.
- Chang(e) (2015) co-created by Soomi Kim and Suzi Takahashi. A play with movement that explores the life and death of Kathy Change a political activist and early member of the Asian American Theater movement who self immolated in protest of our government. Premiered at the HERE Arts Center, NYC WATCH: vimeo.com/178195605
- dictee: bells fall a peel to sky (2012) co-created by Soomi Kim and Suzi Takahashi. A movement piece with original music that explores the life, work and death of Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. Presented by the WCS festival at the Culture Project, NYC. WATCH: vimeo.com/33466537
- Paris Syndrome (2010) collaboratively created by Ex.Pgirl. A movement theater extravaganza that explores the psychological disorder, Paris Syndrome, where Japanese tourists experience psychosis when visiting Paris. Premiered at the HERE Arts Center, NY.
- Lee/Gendary (2009) co-created by Soomi Kim, Suzi Takahashi, and Derek Nguyen. A play with movement that explores the life of Bruce Lee. Premiered at HERE Arts Center, NY. WATCH: vimeo.com/33466024
- 10 Plates (2007) collaboratively created by Ex.P girl. A movement theater piece exploring the culture of fear through a Japanese folk tale. Premiered at HERE Arts Center, NY.
- Waving Hello (2005) collaboratively created by Ex.Pgirl. A movement theater piece that explores transnational identity, immigration, and the new American dream. Premiered at HERE Arts Center, NY.
- Ablution (2002) collaboratively created by Ex.Pgirl. A movement theater piece that explores beauty standards.Presented at the Living Room Festival at HERE Arts Center.
