Charya Burt Cambodian Dance in partnership with Khmer Arts Academy presents the world premiere of Charya Burt’s, Silenced, about the inspirational yet tragic life of Cambodia’s Golden Voice, Ros Sereysothea. Opening night is May 19 at 7:30pm in the Cal State Long Beach Studio Theatre followed by a panel discussion with another show on May 20 at 2:30 preceded by a special Khmer Arts Academy performance.
www.eventbrite.com/e/charya-burt-cambodian-dance-khmer-arts-academy-presents-silenced-tickets-44663586991
Silenced, in development since 2014, is a dance theatre piece honoring the life of one of Cambodia’s most iconic singers, Ros Sereysothea, who perished at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. Like much of what Charya Burt does, Silenced focuses on connecting the past to the present in ways that celebrate ancient beauty while at the same time helping to reconcile Cambodia’s recent tragic past. The piece joins a variety of musical forms including pin peat and traditional Khmer music to represent Ros Sereysothea’s musical and cultural foundations, Cambodian pop music from the 1960’s both recorded and sung live to evoke the vibrancy of her life during the Golden Age of Cambodian pop music and original compositions for guitar used to symbolize her shattered life under the Khmer Rouge. Video imagery is used as a backdrop for dance choreography that includes classical and classically inspired movements and gestures along with other choreographies to help tell her story.
With funding support from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and the California Arts Council, Charya is excited to present Silenced with the Khmer Arts Academy where she is currently artist-in-residence.
Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Cambodian dance through formal instruction, workshops, and public performances, Charya Burt Cambodian Dance, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, was established in 1993. Over the past fifteen years, the company has expanded its focus to create new works deeply rooted in tradition that grace innovation. All dancers who perform with the company are classically trained and are former or current students of Charya’s. Performing in a wide range of venues and festivals in Northern California and beyond, Charya and her dancers are the only professional touring company of Cambodian dance in the Western United States.