How Afong Moy’s journey in The Chinese Lady shapes how we see the world today.
There’s something remarkable about stepping into a theater and being transported, not to a fantasy world, but to a forgotten moment in history. That’s exactly what happens in Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play The Chinese Lady.
Telling the story of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman known to arrive in the United States, this play isn’t just a history lesson – it’s a mirror, reflecting how the past continues to shape our present and influence our future.
So why do stories from the past still matter? Let’s explore a few meaningful reasons.
1. History Helps Us Understand Today’s World
Understanding where we came from helps us understand who we are now. In The Chinese Lady, we see a young girl turned into a display – exoticized, misunderstood, and eventually forgotten.
This narrative echoes in contemporary issues around representation and identity. By seeing these patterns in the past, we gain perspective and the responsibility to confront them in our own time.
2. Theater Brings the Past to Life in a Personal Way
There’s something uniquely powerful about seeing a historical story unfold live on stage. It moves beyond dates and facts and speaks to something human and immediate.
With poetic monologues, subtle humor, and striking imagery, The Chinese Lady allows audiences to connect emotionally with Afong Moy – not just as a historical figure, but as a living, breathing person.
3. Forgotten Stories Deserve to Be Reclaimed
Afong Moy was part of American history, yet few people know her name. Plays like The Chinese Lady are part of a growing movement to reclaim untold stories – especially those of women, immigrants, and people of color who were left out of traditional narratives.
Dive deeper into Afong Moy’s legacy
4. Stories from the Past Inspire Empathy
When we witness lives different from our own, especially across culture or time, we expand our capacity to understand and care.
Afong’s experience, rich with grace and quiet resilience, resonates with anyone who has ever felt unseen. Her story is a reminder that empathy is cultivated not through headlines, but through human connection.
5. The Past Can Shape a More Inclusive Future
By looking back honestly, we pave the way forward. The Chinese Lady not only honors Afong’s life, but it also challenges us to think about whose stories we listen to, how we treat differences, and what kind of future we want to build.
At Chance Theater, we believe storytelling has the power to create that future—one built on connection, creativity, and compassion.
Join Us
Come be part of this powerful experience. The Chinese Lady is more than a play, it’s an invitation to listen deeply, reflect openly, and imagine what’s possible when every voice is heard.
Reserve your seat today at chancetheater.com/thechineselady
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