Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of 24700 stories about CalArts’ theater productions at the upcoming Hollywood Fringe Festival.
This year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival features multiple shows created and performed by CalArts students. Running from Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, June 26 in numerous venues throughout Los Angeles, the festival has a long history of being a space for CalArtians to perform their original works.
A recipient of the 2022 Hollywood Fringe Festival Scholarship, Chacha Tahng’s (Theater BFA 23) Something In The Air tells the story of eight Asian college students in America, all from different walks of life and from different cultural backgrounds. As these students head out on their way to spring break, they are forced to deal with issues, both fictional and real, at conspiracy theorists’ favorite airport: the Denver Airport (aka DIA). The show is described as a “dark sci-fi tale of ‘spring break gone wrong’ about identity, culture, stories, dreams, and the reality of living as a young Asian in America today.”
Written and directed by Tahng, the show had its premiere workshop production at the CalArts Coffeehouse Theater in May. The play stars an entirely pan-Asian cast of CalArts actors, including Ishika Muchhal (Theater BFA 23), Brian Nai (Theater BFA 25), Willington Liu (Theater BFA 23), Ling Chang (Theater BFA 23), Shireen Heidari (Theater BFA 24), Skylar Shen (Theater BFA 24), Sanghun Kim (Theater BFA 24), and Tahng.
Something In The Air’s creative team includes producer Jiwoo Shin (Art BFA 23), lighting designer Georgia Shupper (Theater BFA 22), scenic designer Runqing Wen (Theater BFA 23), assistant scenic designer Jiayue Zang (Theater BFA 25), sound designer Ying Xin (Theater MFA 24), sound assistant Romy Kim (Theater BFA 25), costume designer Emerson Bualat (Theater BFA 22), and fight choreographer Brent Charles (Theater BFA 22).
The 90-minute show will be performed on Thursday, June 16 through Saturday, June 18 at 8:15 pm, along with a matinee on Saturday at 3:15 pm, at the Hudson Theater (Hudson Backstage) at 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Tickets are available online or at the door for $15. More information can be found on the show’s Instagram account, @something.intheair.
—by Ishika Muchhal
