Visionary artist Jasmine Chen will inspire you to rediscover and reclaim your mother tongue as she premieres her multidisciplinary performance, Jade Circle, to Richmond’s Gateway Theatre, Studio B, from March 6 to 17.
Experience culture and familial legacy through powerful music, captivating movement, and a narrative that seamlessly weaves between Mandarin and English. Directed by Derek Chan and Assistant Director, Katie Voravong, with Johnny Wu, Movement/Mandarin Consultant, the show is accessible to individuals who can understand only Mandarin, English, or both, with projected subtitles.
Jade Circle is more than just a performance; it’s an exploration of identity, language, and the ties that bind us to our heritage. Jasmine Chen, known for her evocative storytelling, shares, “Don’t wait to learn and don’t wait to ask. Whatever your language is, spoken or unspoken, it can bring you closer to who you are.” This sentiment serves as the guiding light for Jade Circle, a deeply personal exploration of identity, connection, and the power of language.

After the death of her grandmother, Jasmine recalls the fragments of Taiwanese children’s songs she was taught as a child. As a second-generation immigrant, she lost connection with her mother tongue through cultural assimilation. Feeling the loss of being unable to connect with her grandmother while she was still alive, Jasmine begins her journey of relearning Mandarin. Through interviews with her mother, she travels through memory to learn the hidden story of her grandmother.
“We invite audiences to experience Jade Circle in Studio B at Gateway Theatre as we partner with rice & beans theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre to share this world premiere,” said Barbara Tomasic, Gateway Theatre’s Executive Artistic Director. “Jade Circle is a poignant celebration of the enduring bonds that tie generations together, as Jasmine finds her place within the legacy of her matriarchs. We are honoured to provide space for audiences to embrace their own cultural tapestry through the work presented in Jade Circle. This is a unique and powerful experience that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the call to reconnect with their roots.”
Jade Circle showcases the playwright and performance work of Jasmine Chen from March 6 to 17, 2024 at Gateway Theatre. Find show detail and tickets online at gatewaytheatre.com/events/jade-circle
Special performances including a Pay-What-You-Will Preview on Wednesday, March 6, a VocalEye Live Audio Description performance on Saturday, March 16 with a special Post-Show Community Dinner, “Conversations Around the Table” on Sunday, March 10 following the 4:00 pm performance.