The Model Minority
First started in 2017, The Model Minority is a Rabbits Three production series focused on societal topics facing Asian Canadians today. Stories and anecdotes are gathered and paired with live, multidisciplinary performances from Asian Canadian artists. Through these means we can explore identity, culture, and connections, and grow together as a community.
The Model Minority 2024: Enough
Thanks to funding from the Edmonton Arts Council, we are thrilled to announce the 2024 production of ‘The Model Minority.’ Titled ‘𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇’.
This performance sheds light on the Asian Canadian experience with microaggressions, prejudice, racism, and the impact on mental wellness. It’s time to speak up and say ‘𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇’ to harmful stereotypes and systemic discrimination. Let’s amplify these voices and create meaningful change.
Join us on this important journey & follow for ticket releases & updates!
https://linktr.ee/themodelminority
May 25, 2024: 3-4:30 pm
Milner Theatre, Stanley A Milner Library
Tickets
Thank you to our funder, The Edmonton Arts Council
The Model Minority 2022
Thanks to our funders R3 was proud to offer another production of The Model Minority in 2022. At that time our community was “coming out” of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the community still carried a lot of stress and weight, R3 felt compelled to arrange a performance, focused on the widely reported anti-Asian racism experienced during the pandemic. The artists expressed the emotion behind the collected stories, through music, dance, speech, and martial arts. We were happy to donate proceeds to the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op.
To view the 2022 production, please visit Fava TV!
Carley Okamura
Carley is the director and founder of the Model Minority project and performance series.
Matthew Wood “Creeasian”
Matthew is an entrepreneur, youth educator, dancer, DJ, producer, and tours as a dancer with the Juno Award winning group A Tribe Called Red.
Shrina Patel
Shrina is a choreographer, actor, yoga teacher and the Artistic Director of Shaktiflow on Treaty 6 land.
Maya Pillay
Maya has trained and danced competitively in Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Highland, and Bollywood/Traditional Indian.
Hitoshi Sugiyama
Born and raised in Japan, Hitoshi has made music a part of his life starting with taiko and shinobue (flute) as a child.
Keiko Marumo
Keiko is a bicultural Japanese/ Francophone Canadian and Japanese drummer.
Nanyen Lau
Nanyen learned erhu under the instruction of erhu master Zhang Bing. In 2012 she passed the performer’s level examination for erhu issued by the Central Conservatory of Music in China.
Jia Jia Yong
Jia Jia is a harpist and composer passionate about sharing music and exploring the versatility of the harp in different musical traditions and performance arts.
Korock Korean Drummers
Korock was established in 2014. Korean drumming performance has origins in the roots of Korean culture.
Jeon’s Traditional Taekwondo
This dynamic martial art involves acrobatic kicks and graceful punches.
Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 (they/them)
Nikkei-Canadian settler Teiya is a queer, trans non-binary, interdisciplinary creator-performer based in Tkarón:to.
The Chinese Freemasons Society Tai Chi Program
The aims of the group are to preserve and promote Chinese culture within the larger, multicultural community.
Dr. Neeja Bakshi
Neeja is an Edmonton area physician and advocate for inclusive and accessible healthcare delivery.
Serena Mah
Serena is a dynamic storyteller who founded her own public relations consulting firm after two decades as a journalist.
Shawn Tse 謝兆龍
Shawn is a video director, creator, actor and producer, and member of the aiya artist collective.
Thank you to our 2022 funders!
The Model Minority 2017
The first production of The Model Minority was in 2017. I was moved to create something that featured Asian Canadian artists and the topics that I was passionate about. For example, why didn’t I see Asian stories, issues, and representation in media and pop culture? With the support of the Edmonton Japanese Community Association, I was able to put together a show with a shoestring budget but tons of heart. The audience support and turn out was unbelievable, and inspired all of my future work.
2017 Artists
Alexis Kienlen
Andrea Woo
Edmonton Hung Mon Lion Dance
Herman Lau
Sammy Chien
Shrina Patel
The Model Minority catwalk
Audio provided by
Alcvin Ramos
FOONYAP
Andrew Huang
