Political Satire Launches Fine Arts Center's Virtual Fall Performances

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On Thursday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET, the Fine Arts Center presents the first virtual performance of its 2020-21 season. “Kristina Wong for Public Office: Live from Her Home” is a raucous show created by a performance artist reflecting on her current stint in public office. Originally intended to tour live alongside crowded debates and rallies leading up to the 2020 Presidential election, Kristina Wong will now perform her timely show from her Los Angeles living room against a backdrop of a hand-sewn set designed and created by herself. This virtual performance is a live, one-time only presentation that requires free tickets for access.

Wong, an actual elected representative of Koreatown, Los Angeles is now part of the system she used to ridicule. But is Wong more effective as a performance artist or a politician? Can she abolish ICE? Is there actually a difference between performance art and politics? “Kristina Wong for Public Office” is a virtual 65-minute comedic performance that crosses the aesthetics of campaign rallies, church revivals, and solo theater shows to tell the story of what it means to run for local office, the history of voting, and the impact artists can have on democracy. The show is written and performed by Kristina Wong; directed and dramaturgy by Diana Wyenn; devised by Kristina Wong and Diana Wyenn.

“Kristina Wong for Public Office” kicks off the Fine Arts Center's new Reimagine Residency Series, which invites nationally-recognized artists who are dedicated to addressing contemporary social issues to engage through performance, education, and outreach activities. Kristina's residency includes educational outreach to UMass students in theater, Asian American Studies, and history and is supported by the Applewood and Loomis Communities.

Wong is a performance artist, comedian, writer and elected representative who has been presented internationally across North America, the UK, Hong Kong and Africa. Most recently, she was in the news for launching the “Auntie Sewing Squad,” a volunteer group that has sewn and distributed over 60,000 masks to underserved communities across the country since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. When her spring tour was cancelled, Wong decided to put her sewing skills to good use and offered to make masks for those in need. Requests rolled in and so did eventually 800 volunteers to help with the effort. For more information about the artist, visit kristinawong.com.

For more information and tickets to “Kristina Wong for Public Office: Live from Her Home,” visit fineartscenter.com/wong. This production contains mature or sensitive content and may not be advisable for all audiences. For tickets and questions, the box office can be reached by email at facbox@umass.edu and by phone at 413-545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., hours subject to change.