About JOURNEYS
A SAPAN Original Production, JOURNEYS explores South Asian-American experiences through diverse styles of music, dance, and theater that draw from South Asian and American traditions. This show is an anthology of intricately crafted vignettes that were developed collectively by SAPAN resident artists to reflect their personal experiences as South Asian-Americans
How did JOURNEYS come to be?
All great ideas come from collaboration. Our monthly Artists Circles are a place for artists from across our company to connect, share thoughts and collaborate. In brainstorming for new pieces to create during an Artist Circle in late 2018, we saw a common theme coming out across many of the pieces: the juxtaposition of South Asian and American cultures in our lives. As we saw the development of stand alone vignettes, we wanted to connect these experiences through a common thread. Since we are based in the DMV, we all had experienced hours of brutal traffic in a car which we were able to weave to connect these disparate topics. The title Journeys was chosen not only for its significance as a journey to get to a place but also for its representation in a broader sense as a journey through life.
This production holds a special place in our hearts because it represents who we, the artists of SAPAN, are. Each story that was included in this show is based on our collective personal experiences. Whether it’s assimilating to a new culture, navigating family expectations, or adjusting our habits to fit into different settings, these vignettes are the journeys of South Asian Americans like ourselves. We hope that all viewers that get to experience Journeys, both live in person and digitally, leave with inspiration to continue thinking about and discussing the sometimes difficult topics presented in this show. The journey doesn’t end here!
Show Dates
June 15th, 2019
Original Production
Dance Place, Washington, D.C.
February 23rd, 2020
INTERSECTIONS Festival - Reprise
Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, D.C.
The Show
Traffic Jam
Tensions arise in the family car over the age-old question: Who gets to pick the music? Inter-generational differences receive a musical treatment in Traffic Jam.
Why Should I Have to Choose?
An Indian teenager attends school in the US for the first time and realizes that the biggest challenge of the year will be learning how to assimilate into a new culture.
In Her Words
In Her Words is an exploration and celebration of
South Asian women through spoken word and contemporary dance.
A Look Inside
The stigma associated with mental illness in many South Asian communities is, unfortunately, seldom addressed. The time to start that conversation is now.
The Line
At what point does cultural appreciation become appropriation? As South Asian traditions become more common in Western mainstream culture, are they being diluted? Or is this a positive evolution as cultures interact?
Like Pieces of a Puzzle
Two individuals of different backgrounds find that they bring out the best in each other. Is their love enough to overcome the obstacles in the way? Or will their differences overshadow what brings them together?
Cultural Collision
A South Asian-American family's routine interactions provide a view into how diaspora communities transition daily between Desi traditions at home and Western cultural norms in public.
Chole Connection
A mother and son try to keep a family recipe alive across time zones, generations, and cultures.
Finale: Traffic Jam - Reprise
As traffic brings the city to a standstill, a fusion of musical traditions brings everyone together.
Transition Scenes
On their way to and from daily obligations, people are also taking personal journeys through the complex issues that come with being part of the South Asian-American community.
Thoughts from the cast
Production Video
Check out a video of our most recent production!
JOURNEYS by SAPAN @ INTERSECTIONS 2020 | Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC