Official Artist
Chris Tashima
Actor
, Director
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636
Posts
Today marks the release of "21," based on the best-seller, "Bringing Down The House," about a group of MIT students who figured out a card-counting scheme, and cracked the blackjack tables in Vegas, taking them for millions. It has been noted that Hollywood changed the ethnicity of the central character – modeled after Chinese American Jeff Ma – to your generic White-guy hero, "Ben Campbell," played by new-comer Jim Sturgess.
I have always proclaimed that Ho...Read more
One of my first gigs, back in 1984, was a series of Coke commercials, for Japanese TV. They were shot at a 50s diner in Visalia, CA, and at Magic Mountain. I was an extra, which wasn’t the highest profile, or most challenging work, but it was fun. I got to travel out of town, learn the Japanese lyrics to the "Coke is it!" song, learn choreography, play dress-up (50s), and dream of being broadcast over the airwaves in Japan – and becoming an international star. I never saw the completed spots, until re...Read more
Who should be our leader? What is leadership?
Obama is a man of tomorrow, but here today. His multi-racial background, having grown up in Hawaii where the oppressive tendencies of a White majority don't tug at the reins of peoples judgement, or dreams. Having spent years abroad he has an inherent view of the World as a community. He is our tomorrow, whereas Hillary is not only literally from a decade past, but represents nothing new. A woman you say, that is new? I am not sexist enough to say that i...Read more
In my many conversations this week regarding Obama vs. Hillary, no one seems to know or remember this, so I remind voters who may not have made up their minds yet that in 2004 Hillary made what people can't really deny was a racist joke. The gist of it is, at a fund-raising event Sen. Clinton gave a speech, which included the following: "… I love this quote. It's from Mahatma Gandhi. He ran a gas station down in St. Louis. A lot of wisdom came out of that gas station..." Huh? go to Read more
For the first time in over 35 years, the Los Angeles Times has endorsed presidential candidates, and for the Democratic Party is backing Barack Obama. Their beautifully written, positive and inspiring piece is posted below. I hope all will take the time to read it, especially anyone living in the U.S., or who knows anyone living in the U.S. Americans are at a critical juncture in history. Our country, and the World, is facing a future that needs strong leadership, courage, understanding, compassion, i...Read more
I'm happy to announce this opportunity to check out the latest effort from my creative partner, Tim Toyama. Please help us spread the word. If you're in L.A., I hope to see you as well, this Monday evening. Thanks for your continued support! —Chris Tashima, Cedar Grove OnStage * * Cedar Grove OnStage invites you to East West Players, for a reading of the latest draft of Tim's new play: "Yuri and Malcolm X" A play in one act, by TIM TOYAMA • Directed by CHRIS T...Read more
New Play Readings at East West Players
Ever since East West Players began in the mid-60s, Mako had the foresight to know that Asian American actors wouldn't be able to grow as artists if they didn't have the written material to work with. One aspect of theatre that EWP has always cultivated is playwrights. Mako encouraged writers like Wakako Yamauchi and Jon Shirota to transpose their written works to the stage. With their efforts, and...Read more
Two weeks into the writers' strike, I have been asked if it has affected me. In regards to my working, well, I was unemployed (with no prospects) before the strike, so it's hard to say it has affected my job situation. However, in the larger sense, it has informed me, and pushed me to stay informed. The issues at hand (digital/internet pay and DVD residuals) are real, and are the same issues my unions as an actor (SAG/AFTRA) and director (DGA) will be focusing on when our contracts expire this coming June. I am proud of my writ...Read more
Due to some major roadblocks, seen and unforeseen, my theatre company has postponed our upcoming workshop production. Below is a re-post of the announcement.
Having to re-schedule, or more precisely, reaching such a low-point during preparations that you realize you have to pull the plug, is always a depressing thing. But, having been through it several times, and having benefitted in the long run, it almost always becomes a blessing in disguise, since somehow you make the outcome even better than you had plan...Read more
We are moving forward with my new theatre company, Cedar Grove OnStage, which will be presenting new Asian American theatre works at the downtown Los Angeles Theatre Center, beginning in 2008. Our debut production will be a great new play by the award-winning veteran performance artist, Dan Kwong, with the working title, "Show Me Some Stuff" (see synopsis below).
We have already had two read...Read more
Oscar® winning Actor/Director • Theatre/Film/Television • SAG-AFTRA/AEA/DGA/SDC
