Beginning in 1991, The Cambodian Artists Project originally sought to recapture the at-risk repertory of Cambodian court and folk dance as a core element of the culture and identity of Cambodians in Cambodia and the Diaspora. A formal program, which included support for performance, contextualization, and professional development, was developed to support the capacity building efforts of the many artists struggling to reclaim their identity and self esteem as torch bearers of their nearly lost performing arts heritage. Now placed jointly at Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC), Boston-New York and Amrita Performing Arts, Phnom Penh, The Cambodian Artists Project is extending the early restorative work to a contemporary framework that acknowledges and supports the transnational character of this emerging international arts community.

From February 15 – 18, we will present a number of works that have grown out of this program as well as various workshops as a means of introducing the artists of the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA) to international arts practitioners and presenters.

The preliminary performance schedule includes the following events:

Wednesday February 15 evening:

Lakhaon Kaol – Classical male masked dance: "Weyreap's Battle", an excerpt from the Reamker, the Cambodian version of the Ramayana.  This production recently performed with great success at the 2005 Melbourne Arts Festival.

Thursday February 16 evening:

"Revitalizing Monkeys and Giants" a contemporary look at Lakhaon Kaol male masked dance with Cambodian and Thai artists, choreographed by Pichet Klunchun with music by Sinnapa Sarasas, produced in collaboration with the Department of Dramatic Arts, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

"Cambodian Stories" – a new work by New York based Japanese artists Eiko and Koma in collaboration between Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture and the Asia Society New York.

Friday February 17 evening:

"Pamina Devi" – Revisiting Mozart's "The Magic Flute".  The first public showing of a new work choreographed by Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, commissioned by Peter Sellars' New Crowned Hope Festival in Vienna where the finished work will premier in December 2006.

Saturday February 18 evening:

"Women of Cambodia" – the working title of a new Cambodian modern play directed by Dutch director Annemarie Prins.

Afternoons will include a visit to the Royal University of Fine Arts, various workshops and presentations of scenes staged by former and current RUFA CAP award recipients highlighting works of various dance, music and theater disciplines, as well as excursions in Phnom Penh.