Lotus Theatre Company

== Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company == === Mission & History === Founded in 2010, Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company is a San Francisco Bay Area-based organization dedicated to creating opportunities for Asian and Asian American theatre artists. With a focus on examining diverse stories and social issues, the company aims to move beyond mere representation to forge an artistic home that connects communities, cultures, and identities. The company's vision is to illuminate the Asian American experience as an integral part of the human narrative through art and advocacy. As a collective of artists, Ferocious Lotus is committed to social responsibility and producing work that is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of America. Ferocious Lotus operates with core values that include service, community, humanity, integrity, and radical care. They emphasize the importance of compassion and integrity in all aspects of their work, advocating for radical care in the theatre-making process to ensure authenticity in their art. The company also values experimentation, exploration, and incubation, providing a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and grow creatively. The company recognizes the diversity within the Asian Diaspora, acknowledging that their stories are not monolithic. They strive to lift the burden of representation and allow for the telling of individual truths that center marginalized identities often overlooked in conventional storytelling. === Founding and Development === The seeds of Ferocious Lotus were planted when San Francisco actor Lily Tung Crystal won Theatre Bay Area’s Titan Award in 2009, which included a grant for career development. Her proposal led to the founding of a support and networking group for Bay Area Asian American actors. Together with fellow actor Leon Goertzen, and with the support of the Asian American Theater Company (AATC), they established the Asian American Actors Collective. In July 2010, the collective met and expressed an urgent need for more employment opportunities for its members, especially for professional Equity actors. AATC offered a performance space for the group's first show, which resulted in the creation of Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company, debuting with a night of one-acts in October 2010. Lily Tung Crystal, a pivotal figure in the company's history, served as the Founding Artistic Director for nine years before becoming the Artistic Director of Theater Mu in Minnesota. Leon Goertzen, a founder and key member of the company, has contributed significantly as Associate Artistic Director, Casting Director, and Actor. === Productions === Ferocious Lotus has been involved in various productions, including the world premiere of "MUTT: LET'S ALL TALK ABOUT RACE" in 2017, co-produced with Impact Theatre. The play, written by Christopher Chen and directed by Evren Odcikin, is a satirical take on racial politics in America. === Community Engagement === The company maintains a strong connection with its audience and the broader community through social media and encourages support through donations. Their work has been recognized and supported by the theatre community in the Bay Area and beyond. == References == * Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company. (2010-present). Retrieved from the official website and materials provided by the company. * Theatre Bay Area. (2009). Titan Award. * Theater Mu. (2019). Artistic Director Announcement. [[Category:Theatre companies in San Francisco]] [[Category:Asian-American culture in California]] [[Category:2010 establishments in California]]