Rolling Against Covid: Professor Aguas Builds ollingAguas Against Arts Ink Covid: 34
Professor Aguas Builds Aguas Arts Ink
by Jennifer L. Williams W&M News Francis Tanglao Aguas had wanted to stage “Rolling the R’s” for years and never could have imagined the circumstances under which he would do so. Aguas, professor of theatre and founding director of Asian & Pacific Islander American studies at William & Mary, is directing the show in the virtual world forged by the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring professional actors and W&M student actors all over the world, the performance will take place online. Their adaptation of “Rolling the R’s” will air live on May 9 at 8 p.m. on Zoom. Viewers are asked to make a $5 donation in advance to obtain a link to the performance, which will benefit actors who are currently out of work or their chosen charities.
“Rather than look at the pandemic as a limitation, I’ve chosen to use it to create the R’s: Francis Tanglao Aguas, professor of theatre and founding director of Asian & Pacific an opportunity for professional theatre Rolling the R’s: Francis Tanglao Aguas, professor of theatre and founding director of Asian & Pacific r American studies at William &atMary, directed a virtual performance featuring work where I could also cast our theatre Islander American studies William & Mary, directed a virtual performanceof of “Rolling “Rolling thethe R’s”R’s” featuring onal actors professional and W&Mactors student actors all over world. Photo by Shreyas and W&M student actorsthe all over the world. Photo by ShreyasKumar Kumar ‘21 ‘21 students,” Aguas said.
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“In a major way, this is what the or their chosen charities. world is than facing now “Rather look at the pandemic as a limitation, chosen because weI’veare allto use it to create an opportunity for professional trapped theatre workwith where Ian could also cast our theatre students,” Aguas said. invisible enemy and play out like all The weperformance have is will each a live TV/video broadcast as Zoom other.” intercuts between speakers. W&M students Quan Chau ’21, Xavier Soto Burgos ’20, Anthony Madalone ’21 and Sumie Yotsukura ’22 join professional actors in Los
The performance will play out like a live TV/video broadcast as Zoom intercuts between speakers. W&M students Quan Chau ’21, Xavier Soto Burgos ’20, Anthony Madalone ’21 and Sumie Yotsukura ’22 join professional actors “This staged reading gives me in Los Angeles, Manila, Boston, Honolulu and San Francisco to make up the cast. the chance to start, as most of W&M theatre alumna Madison Hauser ’19 the cast is made up of seasoned is serving as stage manager.
professionals,” Yotsukura said.first “I know It’s Yotsukura’s chance to work in a professional capacity, she said.“ I’m also grateful that I get to have Sumie Yotsukura ‘22 (Courtesy photo) this experience with my friends and This staged reading gives me the chance classmates. This experience is really to start, as most of the cast is made up of seasoned professionals,” Yotsukura helping to bring us from William & said. “I know I’m also grateful that I get Mary’s theatre program directly to with my friends to have this experience and classmates. This experience is really practical, professional experience.
helping to bring us from William & Mary’s theatre program directly to practical, professional experience.
“Furthermore, besides the whole Zoom-specific nature of this staging, I haven’t done a play like this before —
