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Home , Ali Wong, American Body Shop, Aparna Nancherla, Comedy Central Presents, Hari Kondabolu, Margaret Cho

SPECIAL THANKS

With special thanks to: Hot Rod Shop Inc., and This event is generously supported by The Wal- Felix Lighting. lace Foundation and Chevron. Based in City, The Wallace Foundation is an independent A very special thanks to the members of Stu- national philanthropy dedicated to fostering im- dent Ambassadors for the Arts (SAFTA) for provements in learning and enrichment for disad- their work on this event: vantaged children and the vitality of the arts for everyone. It seeks to catalyze broad impact by Gloria Ashaolu supporting the development, testing, and sharing Anna Bruns* of new solutions and effective practices. For Kevin Carley more information, visit wallacefoundation.org. FRONT ROW Isabel Chen Liting Chen Cal Performances’ suite of student life and learn- WITH Nikki Cheung ing programs, including Front Row, is made pos - Naniette Coleman sible, in part, by Chevron. Zoe Forest AND FRIENDS Vickie Jin Cal Performances produces and presents perfor - Kathryn Kityama mances of the highest artistic quality, enhanced BY UCB STUDENTS, Daryanna Lancet by programs that explore compelling intersec- FOR UCB STUDENTS Sharon Lau tions of education and the performing arts. Emily Lin Founded in 1906, Cal Performances fulfills this Chloe Lo mission by presenting a diverse range of more Seth Lu than 100 music, dance, and theater perform- Priscilla Ng ances each season, as well as creating a context Janice Ng for the work through supporting education and Parth Nobel community programs. Adalie Palma ALI Swetha Prabhakaran WONG Meg Scriber Jessely Serrano* Vibha Seshadri George Wang Josie Wen* APARNA Kammy Wong NANCHERLA Sondra Yu Angela Zhao Leila Zhu Talya Ziplipsky HARI *also members of the Student Curators of Cal Performances KONDABOLU RACE. IDENTITY. POWER. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. Only at UC Berkeley.

MARCH 21 | 7–8:30PM ZELLERBACH HALL

Front Row is generously supported by The Wallace Foundation and Chevron. calperformances.org/front-row ABOUT THE ARTISTS I’d love to create an event where we talk all Of course this can’t work unless the se- about race in entertainment. So much has lected artist is willing to join this process with changed since I started doing in the commitment and enthusiasm. At this mo- Hari has also performed at such notable fes- School, and the school’s mascot, “Hari the Hawk,” 1980s and I’d love to take a look at it from all ment, we want to thank Margaret Cho for her tivals as the HBO Comedy Festival, South by was named after him during his senior year. (He different sides! dedication to this project and its subject mat- Southwest, Bumbershoot,, Sasquatch Festival, sometimes fears that his greatest achievement I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to bring ter. She brings her staggering intelligence, the Aspen Ideas Festival, and Just for Laughs in was accomplished at the age of 17.) this special show to Cal! hilarious sense of humor, profound insights, and . Hari attended both Bowdoin College and —Margaret Cho and unmistakable style to the mix. We also When in , Hari co-hosts the , graduating from the former would like to thank Ali Wong, Aparna Nan - mostly improvised talk show The Untitled Kond- institution with a BA in comparative politics in cherla, and Hari Kondabolu for taking part as abolu Brothers Project with his younger brother 2004. A former immigrant-rights organizer in We developed Front Row to celebrate and Margaret’s guests, making this a star-studded Ashok (“Dap” from the hip-hop group ) Seattle, Hari also earned a master’s degree in engage UC Berkeley’s most defining and event, indeed. as well as The Untitled Kondabolu Brothers Pod- human rights from the London School of Eco- prized resource—its student body. It is a priv- The final element in this project is you, cast. He also wrote the cover story for Spin mag- nomics in 2008, writing a merit-earning disser- ilege each day to work in an environment the students and community of UC Berkeley. steeped in the possibilities of the future, sur- Your time, interest, and presence here are azine about Das Racist in November 2011. He tation entitled “Mexican Returnees as Internally rounded by the individuals who will make that why we do this work. It is particularly reward- was a former video blogger for World Compass, Displaced People: An Argument for the Protec- future manifest. With this in mind, we at Cal ing for us—and for your peers—to be involved a joint initiative between WGBH Boston, PBS, tion of Economic Migrants Under the UN-Guid- Performances are thrilled to play our part in with such an event. Go Bears! and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. ing Principles on Internal Displacement.” This is, the stewardship of student life and learning —Rob Bailis, Hari was born and raised in , New by far, the least funny thing he has ever written… by providing access to the greatest living per- Associate Director, Cal Performances York City. He went to Townsend Harris High including this bio. forming artists, the centuries of knowledge, progress, and innovation they represent in From the Student Curators their practice, and the human inspiration they We’ve only lived so long, as children who provide through their gifts. were raised in the shadow of 9/11 and who In creating Front Row, we took our inspi- came to consciousness during the time of our ration directly from the students of UC Berke- first black President. We’ve seen the impact ley. In 2015–16, the inaugural season of this our voices can have on society, but we’ve also program, we recruited a rare and talented had our idealism shocked by the polarizing band of undergraduates to consider this new forces that have divided a nation. It seems program and help develop a plan. We started particularly important right now that we ex- by asking the question: “If you could invite amine the issues that have brought to light any national or international artistic/cultural fig- these fissures in our national identity—race, ure with direct ties to the Bay Area to make a identity, and power. Power is at the crux of our continued from inside front cover show with you, who would you ask and discussion: Who has power? What does it We are intensely aware of how different we cial way of showing us what is important, why?” After developing a list of nearly 40 pos- mean to hold power in our society? What does are, and conversations about our identities placing in stark relief the larger issues at hand. sibilities, we began to narrow the list by ask- it mean to feel powerless? How do we, as fueled our curatorial process. Eventually they Perhaps, and more importantly, humor brings ing, “What if the show we make is not only stu dents—many of us minorities—gain power brought us to the incredible Margaret Cho. us together—laughter opens hearts, and with about the actual work of the artists we select, and agency? Because the core of Front Row We all see attending this large research open hearts, we can more fully appreciate the but about what goes on inside their head? is a celebration of who we are—as citizens of university as a major opportunity, but life here perspectives of others. As you leave tonight, What if we populate the stage with who and the Bay Area and as a vibrant and complex can also feel overwhelming and impersonal. we hope you think about who you are and what they find interesting?” student body—this can be the ideal public We can, however, connect over our struggles what forms your identity, but most of all, what Those questions, in the hands of a differ- platform on which to tackle these ideas. as children of immigrants, people of color, that means beyond yourself. How can you ent set of student curators each year, are When creating this year’s Front Row, we victims of oppression and marginalization, and make a difference? what make Front Row unique—a one-night- dove into the diverse narratives of Berkeley allies in the movement to make our world Thank you, Margaret, for the years of in- only insight into the mind of an artist who has students, highlighting our racial diversity and more inclusive. Here is our contribution to that spiration and laughter that led us to selecting shaped a generation, based exclusively on expanding on our more nuanced stories movement—an all-Asian-American show that you for this year’s Front Row, and for these months of that artist sharing stories and about our identities, communities, and per- offers four artists of color a unique platform months of amazing planning that dealt with staying in dialogue with us, as well as partici- sonal nar ratives. Our small team represents within an industry that is often unwelcoming. challenging subjects. To Ali, Aparna, and Hari— pating in deeply personal interviews created a microcosm of our campus, hailing from Over the past months, we’ve pondered thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing and conducted by the student curators. To- many intel lectual and cultural backgrounds. these serious topics in great detail, and we’ve your time and talent with us. You will make this gether, they create the frame that will hold We are tied together by our love for the arts had the pleasure of doing so with levity that a night to remember! the show together, as well as the format for and our understanding of the arts as a tool for only comedians can bring. Humor has a spe- an evening that, by its very nature, could social change. never occur again. —continued on page 5

5 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ali is currently shooting ABC’s new sitcom correspondent/writer on FX’s Totally Biased with as well as writing on Fresh W. Kamau Bell. Aparna is also an alumna of the Off the Boat. She has performed on Late Night NBC Stand Up for Diversity program and cur- with Seth Meyers, with Jay rently headlines throughout the world. She has Leno, ’s New York Stand-up Show, been seen at a number of festivals including and Comedy Underground with . Ali ’s Clusterfest, Portland’s Bridge- has also appeared in ’s Savages and town Comedy Festival, Moontower, SF Sketch- was a series regular on NBC’s Are You There fest, DC’s Bentzen Ball, Outside Lands, Bon - Chelsea? and the ABC drama Black Box, oppo- na roo, and Dublin’s Vodaphone Comedy Festival. site Vanessa Redgrave and Kelly Reilly. Ali makes Aparna has been featured on and in NPR, regular appearances on ’s late- Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, The Wash- night game show @midnight, as well as on In- ington Post Magazine, XM Radio, and Slate V. side . She can regularly be seen performing at the Up- On September 11, 2016, Wong spoke at and right Citizens Brigades in Los Angeles and New walked the runway during New York Fashion York City. Her debut album, Just Putting It Out Week for the Opening Ceremonies show. She There, was released in July 2016 by ’s has also joined the cast of Kate Spade’s MISS label Bentzen Ball Records and hit the Number ADVENTURE films. Tickets to see Wong head- 4 spot on the Billboard comedy chart. line live are now known to sell out within two minutes. Ali was recently profiled in The New Hari Kondabolu is a Brooklyn-based, Queens- Yorker by Ariel Levy. raised comic whom has called “one of the most exciting political comics CAL PERFORMANCES PRESENTS started out doing comedy in stand-up today.” In March 2014, he released his in her hometown of Washington DC and now debut standup album, Waiting for 2042, on the resides in New York City. Elle’s “Women in indie-label Kill Rock Stars. He was NYU’s APA Comedy” issue (2016) featured her as one of the Institute’s artist-in-residence for the 2014–15 ac- most exciting new voices to hit the comedy ademic year. scene. She is a series regular in the debut sea- Hari has done standup on the Late Show with son of Comedy Central’s Corporate and has David Letterman, , Jimmy Kimmel Live, FRONT ROW reprised her role in Season 2 of HBO’s Crashing. , and John Oliver’s New York Stand - Aparna is also featured in the second season of up Show. His half- 90 Minutes, No Intermission ’s The Standups. Other television credits hour television special debuted on the network include Netflix’s Master of None and LOVE, in February 2011. Hari was also a writer and cor- Comedians in Conversation with Margaret Cho HBO’s , Comedy Central’s In- respondent for the -produced Totally Ali Wong side Amy Schumer, appearing as a US corre- Biased with W. Kamau Bell on FX. Aparna Nancherla spondent for Dave’s (UK) Unspun with Matt In 2014 Hari was interviewed on Forde, and Hulu’s I Love You, America with Sarah with Terry Gross on NPR. A regular on public Hari Kondabolu Silverman. In 2018 she makes her feature debut radio, he has also appeared on Morning Edit ion, in the Paul Feig movie A Simple Favor. Her tele- , Studio 360, Bullseye, and Lighting design by Blake Manship vision stand-up appearances include Seeso’s Soundcheck. Hari has appeared on popular pod- stand-up series Night Train with , casts like WTF with , You Made it Season 2 of Comedy Central’s Meltdown, and Weird with , and Too Beautiful to Adam Devine’s House Party. In 2013 she made Live with Luke Burbank. her late-night stand-up debut on TBS’s Conan In the UK, Hari has established himself with and was one of the breakout New Faces at the appearances on BBC 3’s Russell Howard’s Good prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. News, Live at the Electric, and Channel 4’s 8 Out #CalFrontRow Her television writing credits include Late Night of 10 Cats. He also performed at the Edinburgh with Seth Meyers as well as being a regular Fringe Festival in 2011. The taking of photographs and video during the show is strictly prohibited. But be part of the action! Tweet your questions before the show and again when Margaret invites 4 you to. Participants will answer as many questions as possible during the discussion. STUDENT CURATORS OF CAL PERFORMANCES ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Beginning with her early days as a rising stand- was well-earned, as Margaret took both vocal up comedian in , Margaret Cho has and instrumental lessons to make sure she could always been the Agent Pro vocateur of entertain- keep up with guest performers such as Tegan ment. Never one to shy away from any topic, & Sara, Grant Lee Phillips, and . Margaret finds literally nothing off limits when it Her follow-up release, 2016’s American Myth, comes to sharing her views on family, gay rights, earned her another Grammy nomination for politics, sexuality, bullying, and oh-so-much Best Comedy Album. With songs such as “Fat more. Margaret’s socially aware, no-holds-barred Pussy,” “I Want to Kill My Rapist,” and “Anna type of comedy has made her both a thought Nicole,” American Myth, made with collaborator leader and a tolerant teacher for those with open Garrison Starr, showcased Margaret’s first efforts minds and open hearts. An accomplished per- as a composer. She has described the album former in all formats, she has conquered the as a mixture of “Americana, Beatlemania, and worlds of film, television, books, music, and the- 1990s riot girl.” ater. She has been nominated for five Grammy With so much success in her creative life, Awards and one Emmy, and her comedy tours Margaret has never turned away from causes are always sold out, both here and abroad. She’s that are important to her. She is incredibly active had two shows debut Off-Broadway (I'm the in anti-racism, anti-bullying, and gay rights cam- One That I Want andThe Sensuous Woman) and paigns, and has been recognized for her unwa- her last stand-up routine, psyCHO, was filmed at vering dedication over the years. Her involve ment the historic Gramercy Theatre in New York City. has earned her many accolades and awards, in- The film and DVD releases of Margaret’s cluding the Victory Fund’s Leadership Award, the comedy shows have broken records as well, first-ever Best Comedy Performance Award at with I'm the One That I Want still holding the title the 2007 Asian Excellence Awards, the First Members of the Student Curators of Cal Performances for “Most Money Grossed Per Print” for an in- Amendment Award from the ACLU of Southern dependent film. Her other releases, which Cho , and the Intrepid Award from the Na- Student Curators of Cal Performances fans collect and swap with zeal, include Notorious tional Organization for Women (NOW). C.H.O (2001), Assassin (2005), Beautiful (2009), Margaret was named one of the “50 Best Anna Bruns Lila Mullins* Cho Dependent (2011), and psyCHO (2015). Mar- Stand-Up Comics” by magazine, (Applied Mathematics) (Theater and Performance Studies) garet has always been responsible for the distri- which called her “the sort of funny, sex-positive bution and sales of all her content via her own feminist and LGBT activist younger comics con- Dianne Chung Jessely Serrano* Clownery label, a move that was extremely for- tinue to look up to.” No surprise then that Mar- (Integrative Biology and (Media Studies) ward-thinking when she made it in 1999. garet continues to innovate. Her Fresh Off the Peace and Conflict Studies) Margaret has also made an indelible mark Bloat tour was all about the politics of disgust Dylan Stover in television, starting in 1994 with the trailblazing and what is disgusting about politics. In other Shannon Hong (Molecular Environmental Biology) network comedy All-American Girl. This was words, classic Margaret Cho. (Developmental Studies and Data Science) followed by the first “reality sitcom,” The Cho As she says, “It’s meta. It’s magical. It’s me.” Jing Wen Show, on VH1, six seasons on the Lifetime se- Salwa Meghjee (Economics) ries , one season of TLC’s late (Undeclared) night show All About SEX, a seat at the table as FRIENDS *Member since 2016 a special guest host of E!’s Fashion Police, and Kate Montana (Anthropology and Integrative Biology) an Emmy nod for Outstanding Guest Actress for Ali Wong is a comedian, actress, and writer liv- her hilarious turn as Kim Jong II on . She ing in Los Angeles. On Mother’s Day 2016, Net- recently developed Highland, a dramedy for flix released her first stand-up special, Baby TNT about a woman fresh out of rehab who has Cobra, which was filmed when she was seven to oversee her very needy, very dysfunctional months pregnant. The special received wide crit- Korean-American family. ical acclaim, with New York magazine saying, If you would like to join the Student Curators of Cal Performances for the 2018–19 academic year, Margaret’s music career has been equally “The special’s arrival on Netflix is the sort of star- please email [email protected] by April 15, 2018. successful. The popular and critical acclaim for making moment that unites the tastes of the un- her Grammy-nominated Cho Dependent record likeliest fans.”

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