Atlanta Chinese Dance Company to Honor Everyday Heroes
Atlanta – The Atlanta Chinese Dance Company (ACDC) is set to present a remarkable performance titled Everyday Heroes on September 28-29 at the Gas South Theater. This original production aims to honor the everyday heroes of ancient and modern Chinese American stories through two captivating Chinese dance dramas.
The production will feature a multigenerational cast of over 100 dancers and guest artists. The show begins with “Red Firecrackers,” a family-friendly dance drama about the origin story of the Chinese Lunar New Year, created by the late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen. Initially premiered by eight professional dancers of the internationally acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company (NNCDC) in New Jersey, it has now been reimagined for a larger cast, including eighty-three dancers ranging from ages four to seventy.
Red Firecrackers: The Battle Against Nian
“Red Firecrackers” tells the story of how ancient villagers triumphed over a terrifying monster called Nian, which means both “year” and the creature’s name in Mandarin Chinese. Nian would emerge from its hiding place in the darkest cave or deepest sea every year to eat people. The story underscores how the villagers used red clothing and deafening firecrackers to defeat the monster, a tradition that continues in Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
The male warrior lead role will be performed by Yao-Zhong Zhang of NNCDC, a native of Shanghai who specializes in the Kunqu opera tradition. This performance aims to blend Chinese dance with storytelling, making it both educational and entertaining.
White Collar Wuxia: A Modern Civil Rights Tale
Meanwhile, “White Collar Wuxia” tells the 1980s story of Chinese American civil rights attorney Liza Chan. Choreographed by Kerry Lee with contributed choreography by Brandon Nguyen Hilton, the dance drama embraces the spirit of wuxia, the traditional martial arts hero, as Chan fought for justice in the courtroom.
Though Chan never became a martial arts hero, she embodied the wuxia spirit and continued to fight for justice despite becoming a paraplegic later in life. Her story is further brought to life with the aid of guest artist Scott Wheet of Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, who will perform the role of the defense attorney opposite Lee’s prosecuting attorney.
Kerry Lee shared, “I was deeply moved by Liza Chan’s valiant but unsuccessful attempt to win justice in the first federal civil rights trial for an Asian American. Her ability to continue fighting and publish an uplifting memoir despite her physical limitations provides strength to many.”
Celebrating Diverse Chinese Ethnic Groups
The performance isn’t just limited to these two stories. Everyday Heroes will also feature ten colorful dances celebrating the diverse Chinese ethnic groups, including the Han ethnic majority, alongside the Miao, Dai, Mongolian, Wa, Uyghur, and Tibetan ethnic minorities. These dances are an extension of ACDC’s 33-year history of presenting Chinese dance and heritage.
Supported by Esteemed Institutions
This year’s production is supported through awards from prestigious organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Georgia Council for the Arts, funded by the Georgia General Assembly appropriations. Additional support for “White Collar Wuxia” comes from an Artistic Assistance award from Alternate ROOTS, made possible by funds from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Ford Foundation.
Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets for Everyday Heroes are available for $25 for Adults and $21 for Students and Seniors (65+). Early purchase is advised for the best seating options.
In related news, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company has announced its 2024-2025 season featuring productions of MACBETH, THE TEMPEST, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Additionally, Khruangbin will perform at the Fox Theatre in September, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden will host Garden Lights, Holiday Nights starting November 14.
Come experience the unique blend of tradition, history, and cultural celebration with the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company’s Everyday Heroes.
