“The Actress Who Died A Thousand Deaths”
A Wellesley Repertory Theatre Festival Event
Co-created by Cinthia Chen and Annie Jin Wang
Conceived by Cinthia Chen
The Actress Who Died A Thousand Deaths is an experimental theatre piece about the dreams, consequences, tragedies, and potential of a woman ahead of her time. Anna May Wong was a film star in the nascent years of Hollywood, famous for originating some of the most well-known examples of Orientalist “china doll,” “lotus flower” and “dragon lady” stereotypes in Western cinema. Taking place in 1938, our play imagines Anna May Wong in her late 30s, after being passed over for O-Lan in The Good Earth (the role would go to Luise Rainer in yellowface, for which she would win the Academy Award), and with her career in decline. In a stupor, she dreams of her younger self and through surreal interactions with her father, costars, and lovers on the sets of some of her most iconic films, begins to experiment with taking control of the camera to redirect the gaze on herself.
Free and open to all—no reservations needed!
This special performance is part of Wellesley College’s 150th anniversary celebration, honoring a century and a half of creativity, innovation, and community.