wed 7:30PM wed/// CLOUD GATE apr 2, 2014 THEATRE OF 7:30PM Songs of the Wanderers

“A work of wild eroticism, contemplative mystery and ecstatic beauty.” – The Chicago Sun Times

The April 2 performance of Songs of the Wanderers is made possible by performance benefactors Patricia and Thruston Morton in celebration of Jacqueline Zinn’s love of dance. 28 carolinaperformingarts.org wed 7:30PM April 2, 2014

Lin Hwai-min, Ensemble Rustavi of Georgia, Georgian folk songs Chang Tsan-tao, lighting design Austin Wang, set design Taurus Wah, costume design Szu Chien-hua & Yang Cheng-yung, props design

Premiere: November 4, 1994 National Theater, , Taiwan

There is no happiness for him who does not travel, Rohita! Thus we have heard. Living in the society of men, the best man becomes a sinner... Therefore, wander! The feet of the wanderer are like the flower, his soul is growing and reaping the fruit; and all his sins are destroyed by his fatigues in wandering. Therefore, wander! The fortune of him who is sitting, sits; it rises when he rises; it sleeps when he sleeps; it moves when he moves. Therefore, wander! – The god Indra urges the life of the road upon a young man named Rohita in Aitareya Brahmana.

PROGRAM & CAST

Prayer I Prayer III Wang Rong-yu Yu Chien-hung

Holy River On the Road II Chen Tsung-chiao, Chen Mu-han, Hou Tang-li, Chiu I-wen, Hou Tang-li, Lee Tsung-hsuan, Hsiao Tzu-ping, Huang Hsiao-che, Huang Mei-ya, Su I-ping, Tsai Ming-yuan, Wong Lap-cheong Huang Pei-hua, Kuo Tzu-wei, Lee Tsung-hsuan, Lee Tzu-chun, Su I-ping, Tsai Ming-yuan, Rite of Fire Yang I-chun, Yu Chien-hung Chen Mu-han, Hou Tang-li, Huang Hsiao-che, Huang Lu-kai, Ko Wan-chun, Lai Chun-wei, Liu Hui-ling, Prayer II Tsai Ming-yuan, Wang Po-nien, Wong Lap-cheong Ko Wan-chun Prayer IV On the Road I Chen Tsung-chiao, Chen Wei-an, Chiu I-wen, Chen Wei-an, Hsiao Tzu-ping, Huang Mei-ya, Huang Lu-kai, Huang Mei-ya, Huang Pei-hua, Lee Tzu-chun, Liu Hui-ling, Yang I-chun Kuo Tzu-wei, Lai Chun-wei, Lee Tzu-chun, Wong Lap-cheong, Yang I-chun Rite of Tree Chen Tsung-chiao, Hsiao Tzu-ping, Huang Hsiao-che, Finale or the Beginning Huang Lu-kai, Huang Mei-ya, Kuo Tzu-wei, Lai Chun-wei, Lin Hsin-fang Liu Hui-ling, Su I-ping, Wong Lap-cheong

carolina performing arts 13/14 29 Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Songs of the Wanderers // continued PROGRAM notes

Atticus on the Acropolis, the Lyon Biennale the tree; a fence had been set up around it. About Songs of de la Danse, the Adelaide Festival, and major Monks and pilgrims of different nationalities the Wanderers venues in London, Berlin, Rome, Copenhagen, sat on the ground outside the fence. Under the A monk stands still at a downstage corner Melbourne, São Paulo, Beijing, Shanghai, guidance of the monks, the pilgrims chanted throughout the 90-minute performance, while Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Buddhist scriptures. Between the rising and a shimmering stream of rice grains showers falling of the chanting, one could hear birds Since 2011, Songs of the Wanderers has also from above and onto his shaved head. Golden twittering near and afar. been presented with the live accompaniment rice grains on stage transform from a river of the Rustavi Ensemble of Georgia around the In the afternoon I would sit on the banks of the to hills to a desert. Rice grains shower like world, including the Dresdner Musikfestspiele Neranjra River outside of the Temple compound a summer storm and waterfalls. Onto this at the HELLERAU – European Center for the and stare blankly at it. The water was muddy landscape, dancers in ragged garb holding a Arts Dresden, the Tanzsommer Innsbruck, the and seemed motionless. From time to time, a tall staff, move slowly in a pilgrim journey... Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur, and the Taiwan big bubble would break out and pop, to remind Inspired by the wealth of religious practices International Festival of Arts at the National one of the turbulent life coursing underneath found throughout , and Herman Theater, Taipei. the smooth surface of the river. Hesse’s account of Siddhartha’s quest for I suppose that the Neranjra River that Buddha enlightenment, Lin Hwai-min transforms Journey to Bodhgaya saw would have been flowing in much the ancient rites into resonant dance theater. A same way. It was in the grove of trees on the visually stunning paean to spiritual pilgrimage, by Lin Hwai-min opposite shore that Prince Siddhartha engaged Songs of the Wanderers creates a world of I do not know when the name Bodhgaya first in six years of ascetic practice on a daily diet intense reverence, distinctly Asian in its entered my mind. For a few years I wanted of sesame seeds and a grain of wheat, at last imagery yet with powerful relevance far beyond to go there badly, even if I didn't know what reducing himself to skin and bones before Asia. Spiritually evocative movements set to I would do once I got there. I only knew it realizing that this consuming desire to be soulful Georgian folk songs bring to life a truly was in Bodhgaya that Buddha attained his enlightened was the biggest obstacle to his astonishing set with 3½ tons of shimmering enlightenment under a bodhi tree. In the enlightenment. So Prince Siddhartha accepted golden grains of rice. summer of 1994, when I finally had a few free the offerings of a village maiden. He crossed days, I hurriedly booked an air ticket. Still I did the river to take his place in the diamond seat The production has toured to more than not know why I had set my mind on going. 20 countries, acclaimed as a masterpiece that destiny had prepared for him. at festivals and theaters including the Bodhgaya was a village with only a muddy track I stood on the riverbank and marveled at Internationales Tanzfestival NRW directed by for access. Little shops and open-air stalls Buddha's determination to cross the river. the late Pina Bausch, the Next Wave Festival gathered around the compound of Mahabodhi in New York, the American Dance Festival, Temple to form a market. Constructed in the To turn away from the world and become Paris quartier d’été, the Bergen International sixth century, the Mahabodhi stupa, a stone self-reliant, to live the life of a hermit and Festival, Lucerne Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance structure, was 50 meters tall. Standing in the practice asceticism, is completion of the self. Festival, Festival Iberoamericano de teatro de temple courtyard, it ascended towards the blue To receive, to accept another person's bodily Bogotá, International Festival of Contemporary sky. To the back of the stupa stood a bodhi warmth was for Buddha, at the moment of Dance and Movement Theatre TANEC PRAHA tree, a fourth generation descendent in 2,500 receiving, a return to the world of birth, old age, in Prague, Dublin Dance Festival, the Chekhov years, its trunk spreading into infinity and its illness and death. Having crossed the river International Theatre Festival in Moscow, leaves and branches shielding mortal souls. himself, Buddha would now guide humanity to the Athens Festival at the Odeon of Herodes The Diamond Seat of Buddha sat beneath cross it.

The Agama Scripture tells us that, at the time of his nirvana, Buddha did not, as popular Buddhist mythology would have us believe, take leave of the world easily. He summoned his beloved disciple Ananda to give him detailed instructions on his cremation and the construction of the stupa. It was too much for Ananda to bear, and he ran into the woods to cry. Buddha heard him crying and called him back to his side and comforted him. There is infinite beauty within the beauty of nirvana – the reluctance to leave, and the reluctance to let go.

On the bank of the Neranjra River, I realized for the first time in my life that Buddha was

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an ordinary mortal who also endured human confusion and struggle. Out of his compassion, he practiced asceticism and meditation, and pointed out to us the path of salvation. I felt warmth and was filled with love and admiration for Buddha.

I sat quietly under the bodhi tree, shoulder to shoulder with the monks. I opened my eyes, and saw sunlight coming from the top of the stupa through the branches to land directly on my forehead. My heart became full of joy; I felt a quietude that I had never experienced.

Back in Taipei, I often remembered the cool bodhi tree, and the Neranjra River that ran quietly through time. Every day the dancers of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan meditated. I created Songs of the Wanderers with great ease, a work about practicing asceticism, the river's mildness, and the quest for quietude.

As I review this piece of work from 1994, it feels as though I am studying an entry in my diary. The memory of the journey to Bodhgaya causes my heart to be overcome with joy, which I hope can be shared with the audience of Songs of the Wanderers. BIOGRAPHIES Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan The virtuosity of Cloud Gate’s dancers has made critics ask, “When has one ever seen a company with such magical and beautiful bodies?” and confess that they “possess a control and articulation that verge on the superhuman. These are performers who can make stillness every bit as eloquent as animation. In fact, they have the power to change your metabolism.”

Cloud Gate is the name of the oldest known . In 1973, choreographer Lin Hwai-min adopted this classical name for the first company in any Chinese speaking community. Its 24 dancers receive trainings of meditation, Qi Gong – an ancient form of breathing exercise – internal martial arts, , and calligraphy. Through Lin Hwai-min’s choreography the company transforms ancient aesthetics into thrilling modern celebrations of motion.

carolina performing arts 13/14 31 Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan Songs of the Wanderers // continued

BIOGRAPHIES continued

Cloud Gate has toured extensively with the Taipei National University of the Arts in While White Is Revealing for Spotlight Dance frequent engagements at the Next Wave 1983, and Cloud Gate 2 in 1999. Heralded Company, both of which premiered in 1996. Festival in New York, the Sadler's Wells as the most important choreographer in Asia, In 1999, collaborating with Canadian stage Theatre and the Barbican Centre in London, Lin draws his inspiration from traditional Asian designer Tania Etienne, she choreographed the Moscow Chekhov International Theatre culture and aesthetics to create original works and performed the dance solo work Courtyard Festival and the Internationales Tanzfest NRW with contemporary resonance. Honors include of Pearls. In 2006, she choreographed directed by Pina Bausch. At home, Cloud Gate honorary doctorates from six universities in Blossom and Moonlight for Kaohsiung City enjoys high acclaim and popularity. In addition Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Taiwan National Ballet Company. to regular seasons in theaters, the company Award for Arts, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, stages free outdoor performances in Taiwan, the John D. Rockefeller III Award, the Best Serving as rehearsal director for nine years, drawing audiences of up to 60,000. Choreographer award at the Lyon Biennial Ms. Lee was appointed as associate artistic Dance Festival, the International Society for director in 2003. In 2004 and 2005, she To perform for grassroots communities and the Performing Arts’ Distinguished Artist Award represented Lin Hwai-min to re-stage his works to foster young choreographers in Taiwan, and the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Smoke and White for Zurich Ballet in Switzerland Cloud Gate 2 was founded in 1999. In 1998, Letters from the French Ministry of Culture. and Introdans in the Netherlands, respectively. Cloud Gate Dance School was founded to In 2005, he was honored by Time as one of Ms. Lee is also the chief consultant for Cloud bring the joy of dance to students aged four Asia’s Heroes. In 2013, President Ma Ying Gate Dance School and has helped to create to 84. In 2003, in recognition of Cloud Gate’s Jeou awarded him Taiwan’s highest honor, the and develop class syllabuses for students contribution to the cultural life of Taipei, the First Rank Order of Brilliant Star with Special aged four to 84. Taipei City Government named Fu-Hsing North Grand Cordon. Road Lane 231 – home of Cloud Gate’s office – “Cloud Gate Lane.” In 2010, a new asteroid Lin Hwai-min has been the subject of Chang Tsan-tao discovered by National Central University, documentaries including Portraits Taiwan: Lin (1957-2010), lighting Taiwan was named after Cloud Gate. Hwai-min (Discovery Channel), Floating on the design Ground (Opus Arte) and Lin Hwai-Min – Interface Acclaimed as “a master painter in light” by Most of Cloud Gate's productions have been Between Worlds (ARTE/ZDF). Since 2000, he Chicago Sun-Times and “the best lighting made into videos. Among them, Songs of the has served as artistic director of Novel Dance designer that theater currently knows” by Wanderers, Moon Water, Bamboo Dream and Series for the Novel Hall for Performing Arts, Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung, Chang Cursive II (now known as Pine Smoke) were Taipei, introducing contemporary dance to Tsan-tao held an MFA in design and technical filmed in Europe. audiences in Taiwan. In 2012/2013 he served production from Brooklyn College, City as dance mentor for the Rolex Mentor and University of New York. Lin Hwai-min, founder Protégé Arts Initiative. and artistic director Chang worked with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan from 1982, and from 1991 he served Honoring Lin Hwai-min with a Lifetime Lee Ching-chun, as Cloud Gate’s resident lighting designer Achievement Award in 2009, the jury of associate artistic director as well as the technical and lighting director the International Movimentos Dance Prize, Lee Ching-chun obtained her MA in dance until his unfortunate passing due to lymphoma Germany hailed him as “a foremost innovator studies from City University of Laban Centre, in 2010. of dance, ranking amongst artists of the London in 1999. In 2004, she received the century such as William Forsythe, George National Award for the Arts from the Taiwan Chang’s design works encompassed operas, Balanchine, Birgit Cullberg…” National Culture and Arts Foundation, the dance works and theater productions. His highest award for artists in Taiwan. major lighting design achievements with Lin In 2013, Lin followed in the footsteps of Martha Hwai-min were Whisper of Flowers (2008), Graham, Merce Cunningham and Pina Bausch Since joining Cloud Gate in 1983, Ms. Lee has Wind Shadow (2006), White (2006, 1998), to receive the prestigious Samuel H. Scripps/ taken leading roles in Lin Hwai-min’s works Wild Cursive (2005), The Road to the Mountain American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime including Wild Cursive, Cursive II (now known as (2004), Smoke (2002), Cursive (2001), Achievement. The festival announcement Pine Smoke), Cursive, The Road to the Mountain, Bamboo Dream (2001), Moon Water (1998) stated, “Mr. Lin's fearless zeal for the art Smoke, Bamboo Dream, Burning the Juniper and Songs of the Wanderers (1994). Whisper form has established him as one of the Branches, Portrait of the Families, Songs of the of Flowers was his last lighting design for Lin most dynamic and innovative choreographers Wanderers, Nine Songs, The Dream of the Red Hwai-min and Cloud Gate. today... his choreographic brilliance continues Chamber and Legacy. She has also danced in to push boundaries and redefine the art form.” Helen Lai’s The Rite of Spring, Invisible Cities, He also designed lighting for Diabolo Dance He is the first recipient of this award to be La Vie en Rose and Frida. Theatre, Golden Bough Theatre, Sun-Shier based in Asia. Dance Theatre, Taipei Crossover Dance Her choreographic works include Woman and Company and Godot Theatre Company. Lin Hwai-min founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre Man, Man and Woman for Cloud Gate and In 1990, he designed the lighting for the of Taiwan in 1973, the dance department at

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Taiwanese Opera Chi Kung the Miraculous in scenography from Central St. Martin's Su I-ping, Tsai Ming-yuan, Yang I-chun, Taoist Monk (1990) by Ming Hua Yuan, College of Art & Design in London under Yu Chien-hung / Hou Tang-li, Hsiao Tzu-ping, presented at the Beijing Asia Games. In the a fellowship from the British Council. In Huang Mei-ya, Lee Tsung-hsuan, same year, he also served as the lighting 1995, Wah represented Hong Kong in the Lee Tzu-chun, Lin Hsin-fang, director for Contemporary Legend Theatre, Prague Quadrennial of Theatre Design and Wong Lap-cheong / Chen Mu-han, presenting the overseas premiere of The Architecture in the Czech Republic. The Chen Wei-an, Kuo Tzu-wei, Lai Chun-wei, Kingdom of Desire at the National Theatre of founder of independent production house Wang Po-nien, Yeh Yi-ping / London. In 2002, he was the lighting designer Open Daily, Wah has been involved in various Chen Tsung-chiao, Cheng Hsi-ling, for the National Symphony Orchestra’s fields of the arts community for many years, Fan Chia-hsuan, Huang Hsiao-che, presentation of the opera Tosca, directed by with experience in arts administration as well Huang Lu-kai Lin Hwai-min. as graphic and theatrical design. His theatrical experiences as costume and set designer include Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s Technical Staff on Tour Austin MC Wang, Songs of the Wanderers; Helen Lai’s The Rite of Lulu WL Lee, technical & lighting director set design Spring and Invisible Cities; City Contemporary Chen Chih-feng, project production manager Li Chia-nung (Vicky), stage manager Lauded by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as Dance Company of Hong Kong’s The Rite of Liao Dun-gen, stage manager/ a stage designer who “creates a magical Spring, Lam Mot, Invisible Cities, Quadrille and sound supervisor room that unfolds a poetry of its own,” Austin Six Dance Brocade; and Guangdong Modern Hung Wei-ming, project stage supervisor Mang-chao Wang holds an MFA in scenery Dance Company of China’s Nine Songs (1994 Lin Ching-kai, stage supervisor and lighting design from the University of new version) and Ancestral Vibrations. Lin Szu-chen, lighting supervisor Southern California. Hsu Wen-wen, wardrobe mistress Wang’s key scenic designs for Cloud Gate Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan include The Road Dance Foundation to the Mountain (2004), Pine Smoke (2003, Lee Yuan-tseh, honorary chairman formerly known as Cursive II), Smoke (2002), Shen Hsueh-yung, chairman Bamboo Dream (2001), Moon Water (1998), Symphony of Sorrowful Songs (1995) and Songs of the Wanderers (1994). Other major design Board of Directors This tour is made possible by grants from credits include set designs for Creative Society, Hong Min-hong, Hsu Sheng-hsiung, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of the National Symphony Orchestra’s opera Tosca Ko Wen-chang, Barry Lim, Lin Hwai-min, Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) directed by Lin Hwai-min, and Lincoln Center Stan Shih, Tsai Hong-tu, Tseng Fang-chung, in New York, and lighting designs for Creative Wang Chi-mei, Wang Wing-hung, Diane Ying Society, Tai Gu Tales Dance Theatre and Contemporary Legend Theatre. Yeh Wen-wen, executive director Currently serving as technical design director Cloud Gate Dance Theatre for Creative Society, Wang is also chair of the 5F, #19 Lane 231, Fu-hsing N. Rd. Lin Hwai-min, founder/artistic director Publication & Communication Commission Taipei 105, Taiwan Lee Ching-chun, associate artistic director of OISTAT (Organisation Internationale des Ph: +886-2-2712-2102 | Fx: +886-2-2712-2106 Liang Chun-mei, music consultant/ Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes [email protected] accompanist de Théâtre). He served as president of TATT www.cloudgate.org.tw Hsiung Wei & Chen Chin-yen, qi gong masters (Taiwan Association of Theatre Technology) Adam Chi Hsu, internal martial arts master from 2004-2006, juror for PQ07, technical Lee Shu-hui & Wu Ching-yin, ballet teachers manager and stage manager at National Administrative Staff Huang Hsu-hui, modern dance teacher Theater in Taipei, and technical director at the Chou Chang-ning, rehearsal director on Tour China Times Performing Arts Center. In 2013, Yang I-chun & Tsai Ming-yuan, Wang Shu-chen (Janice), senior project Wang was appointed as director of the Taipei rehearsal assistants manager Arts Center, a new performing arts center in Chou Ching-long, medical consultant Lin I-hsuan (Claire), project coordinator Taipei City to be inaugurated in 2016. Holy Chang & Kuo Tsung-han, accompanists Chuang Ting-chi, project assistant Taurus Wah, Dancers Exclusive North American Tour Representation costume design Rena Shagan Associates, Inc. Wang Rong-yu / Chou Chang-ning, 16A West 88th Street, New York, NY 10024 A former dancer who trained with renowned Huang Pei-hua, Lee Ching-chun, Ph: ++1-212-873-9700 | Fx: ++1-212-873-1708 ballet teacher Joan Campbell in Hong Kong Tsai Ming-yuan, Yu Chien-hung, Chiu I-wen, www.shaganarts.com  during his teens, Taurus Wah holds an MA Ko Wan-chun, Lee Ching-chun, Liu Hui-ling,

carolina performing arts 13/14 33 Photo by Yu Hui-hung Yu Photo by Mimi V. Chapman on Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan

My first exposure to Cloud Gate speechless. To attempt to teach with what I was seeing would risk Dance Theater of Taiwan was on an reducing it to something one-dimensional, or to reduce it to an example iPad at an Arts@theCore dinner. We of some text on a page, making the transformative performance less than were being given a “sneak peek” of the what it could and should be. I worried that a work like this should be upcoming season so we could begin allowed to speak for itself; my attempts in articulating the intricacies of thinking about what performances such a work would only serve to diminish the experience for my students. might be a match for our various teaching activities. Participating in Yet the tale of the Wanderers has particular resonance for students in the Arts@theCore had already challenged “helping professions,” who are starting on professional journeys through my thinking about teaching with which their abilities to make meaning of suffering will be tested. How the performing arts and had moved does one stand strong in the face of a proverbial onslaught of rice?Some me from interested skepticism to grains represent small, daily hassles that fall easily to the ground as enthusiastic experimentation. These soon as they hit the skin. Other grains hit with such impact that they beginning efforts in using performances to illustrate concepts and sting, threatening our confidence and overall meaning of our chosen life realities of social work practice had been reasonably successful and I was path. Indeed, how do any of us do this no matter what our field of work excited to think about what might come next. or study?

The iPad warmed up and the trailer for Cloud Gate began. I was moved, Songs of the Wanderers, based on Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha, provides and once again, perplexed. I was transfixed by the meditative beauty a reflection and an interpretation of the journeys we take, the ways in of the dance and accompanying spectacle, and by the monk standing which we get off track, and the reminder that in silence and stillness we in quiet meditation under an onslaught of rice. And I was completely may still be able to find our way. perplexed as to how and, more importantly, whether I should attempt to use this utterly beautiful performance in my teaching. Mimi V. Chapman is an associate professor in the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. She uses visual and performing arts in her teaching and Here was my dilemma. What I was watching, on an iPad no less, spoke scholarship and is currently the Principal Investigator of an NIH funded to my whole being – mind, heart, body, and spirit – rendering me almost grant to create an arts-based intervention for health care providers.

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