Decolonizing the Stage: Final Bow for Yellowface with Phil Chan

The UC Santa Cruz Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Arts Division present:

Lecture and Discussion with Phil Chan

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Time: 5pm-6:30pm (doors open at 4:30pm)

Location: Digital Arts Research Center (DARC), Room 108, 407 McHenry Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Magic carpets, glittering pagodas, harem fantasies...Orientalism has shaped Western art for over 300 years, but what purpose did it serve, and how does it continue to influence creative expression today? Join us for a thought-provoking lecture and discussion with Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface as he unpacks the legacy of "exotic" portrayals of Asians in ballet and opera. Chan will explore the artistic challenges of adapting Eurocentric works for a multiracial audience. He also offers practical guidance to the next generation of creators in how to move beyond one’s own direct experience while recognizing challenges of representation.

The first 25 students in attendance will receive a free copy of Final Bow for Yellowface: Dancing between Intention and Impact (2020).

Don't miss this opportunity to engage in a critical conversation about art, identity, and the future of inclusive storytelling. Your RSVP helps us plan for your arrival and keep in touch with any changes. Thank you for registering!

Co-sponsors: Asian American Pacific Islander Resource Center | Lionel Cantú Queer Center

Host or Publisher UC Santa Cruz Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion