Asian Connections - BD Wong, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tom Viola at “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

American Born Chinese coming to Disney+ in 2023

Posted by Suzanne Kai - on Sunday, 14 August 2022

"American Born Chinese", an exciting, groundbreaking series is slated to premiere in 2023. The Disney+ series was introduced to the Asian American Journalists Association's National Convention this summer. The convention was attended by more than 1,500 journalists from all over the world. The Disney+ series is based on Gene Luen Yang's award-winning graphic novel. The main character, Jin Wang, played by actor Ben Wang, navigates supernatural action-comedy adventures between his...

BD Wong, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tom Viola at “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

Posted by Lia Chang on Sunday, 01 April 2012.

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Tony award-winning actor BD Wong hosted “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids,” at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York.

BD Wong Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Currently appearing on NBC’s critically acclaimed drama “Awake,” Wong collaborated with Wayne Barker (Broadway composer of PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS) to write a mini-musical based upon King Matt the First, Janusz Korczak’s beloved Polish children’s story. He co-wrote, directed, choreographed and performed with 11 handpicked kids from the “Rosie’s Theater Kids” program.

Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund, BD Wong, honoree Tom Viola, executive director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, BD Wong, honoree Tom Viola, executive director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids and BD Wong in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Brian Stokes Mitchell, fresh off a plane from Dallas where he appeared in “Do You Hear the People Sing” a Broadway-style concert featuring the music of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon at the American Airlines Center, was introduced by Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, to present RTKids’ honoree Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids with his award.

Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie's Theater Kids and honoree Tom Viola. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids' honoree Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Photo by Lia Chang

Tom Viola. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie’s Theater Kids who were mentored by Audra McDonald, Dana Moore and John Tartaglia performed, while Derick K. Grant, Brandon Victor Dixon and Zakiya Young performed with the budding performing artists.

Tom Viola, Lori Klinger and BD Wong. Photo by Lia Chang

In 2003, thanks to the generosity and vision of Founder Rosie O’Donnell, Artistic and Executive Director Lori Klinger created RTKids, dedicated to providing quality instruction in music, drama and dance at no cost to New York City public school students, inspired by O’Donnell’s life-long concern for children, love of theater, and dream of teaching. Eighty-six percent of students who participate in Rosie’s Theater Kids are from low-income families. Rosie’s Theater Kids annually involves more than 5,000 teachers, students, and their family members at 17 schools. There are currently programs in Harlem, Midtown West, Chelsea, Lower East Side, East Village, and Chinatown.