ASIAN MASKS-- Four NTID student actors explore the meaning behind their masks in preparation for the opening of their play LUTE SONG on the RIT campus. They are from left, Shu Lam, Hua Yang, Khanh Lao, and Phiuyen Pham. LUTE SONG, part of RIT's cultural diversity initiative, will use a variety of Asian points of view and performance styles to illustrate the influence of Asian culture on American culture. The play was written by Luane Davis, a member of the NTID Cultural and Creative Studies Department, and the performance is a co-production of the NTID Performing Arts Department and the Asian Deaf Club (ADC). LUTE SONG runs February 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, February 18, at 2pm. All performances are in the Lab Theater, LBJ Building, Room 1510 and are free and open to the public. The play is accessible to both hearing and Deaf. (Photo by Mark Benjamin.)

LUTE SONG PREMIERES

AT NTID FEBRUARY 15

by Peter Haggerty

Lute Song, an original composition by Luane Davis illustrating the "influence of Asian points of view on American culture," will premiere in Rochester, NY February15 through 18, 2001, on the campus of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

"This dramatic journey will take the audience through a variety of Asian cultures and performance styles to illustrate the influence of Asian points of view on American culture. This multimedia presentation will use video, dance and a comedy talk-show format to offer surprising insights and broaden cultural reference in a truly unique way," said Ms. Davis, who is also directing Lute Song. Ms. Davis is an Assistant Professor with the Cultural and Creative Studies Department at NTID. Lute Song is a collaborative effort of the NTID Performing Arts Department and NTIDÕs Asian Deaf Club (ADC). Lute Song is the second in a trilogy of plays Ms. Davis will direct this year in support of RITÕs efforts to promote cultural diversity on campus.

Eddie Yee will create the starring role of a stereotypically obnoxious talk show host who must cope with the constant interruptive antics of an Asian cultural protester, while the showÕs guests struggle to debate seriously the results of the interaction between American culture and the cultures of China, Japan, and the Philippines. Mr. Yee is a second-year student at NTID from the Lexington School for the Deaf in New York City. Highlights of Lute Song include the showing of archival video footage chronicling significant moments of impact between American and Asian culture, authentic ethnic garb provided by ADC members, and a piano performance piece from a Chinese opera by Jing Jing Pan, a second-year NTID student from China.

Lute Song, a name borrowed from a Chinese folk tale about communication through non-verbal means, will be done in the Del-sign presentation style, with two actors, one deaf and one hearing, portraying a single character. One actor depicts the conscious mind of the character; the other depicts the subconscious mind or "spirit" of the character. The Del-sign style was invented by Ms. Davis and is an experimental blending of the codified movements of the famous 19th century French actor/philosopher Francois Delsarte and American Sign Language.

All performances are accessible to both Deaf and hearing. Lute Song will be performed February 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, February 18 at 2pm in the Lab Theater of the NTID Performing Arts Department, LBJ BuildingÑRoom 1510. All performances are free and open to the public. Seating is limited to 75. For more information contact 475-7993 or email delsign@aol. com.