Overview

CANVAS is a new musical about the intersection of Kamibayashi's, the show's writer, identity as both a Japanese citizen and an American student, living with synesthesia. This piece strives to expand the narrative of what representation looks like through Musical Theatre. Many existing AAPI shows focus on the struggles and traumas of their communities, resulting in them serving the purpose of education rather than entertainment. By not explicitly setting the piece in an Asian culture and focusing solely on the circumstances of the characters, the audience can view the show through a non-cultural lens. Telling this story, reflective of an AAPI experience with culture not being at the forefront of the narrative, audiences will be able to resonate with a story focused on the characters carefully crafted to avoid the subconscious filter Western eyes tend to put on foreign art. CANVAS is our attempt to provoke an artistic and emotional impact transcendent of race while still exposing the audience to a Japanese cultural experience.