Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yibin Wang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yibin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I spent my formative years in Hangzhou, China, navigating a unique upbringing shaped by the stark contrast between my grandparents’ staunch revolutionary ideals and my divorced parents’ embrace of modern capitalism, heavily influenced by the transformative political and economic reforms of the 80s in China. The clash of these divergent values has been a constant theme in my life, prompting me to reflect on the individual’s sense of belonging and their relationship to societal norms from a young age.
In high school, I discovered theater, which became a way for me to explore these questions by interacting with real people. In 2016, I came to the U.S. for college, and that was a big deal. Trump got elected that year, and as someone who considered myself liberal back in China, I started thinking a lot about democracy and how our backgrounds can limit or free us.
Navigating between two distinct cultural landscapes has not only refreshed my perspective but has also deeply informed my creative endeavors. As I explore the multifaceted dimensions of human connections and the concept of belonging, my focus has naturally extended to broader cultural considerations. So it kinda happened naturally. This organic evolution led me to immerse myself in creative work, driven by fundamental questions such as: What does it mean to be Chinese in the current global context? How do we define the distinctions between East and West? As a product of Western education, how can I bridge the gap and reposition my cultural heritage? For me, this exploration is not a mere phase but a lifelong pursuit, continually shaping my understanding of the world.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I work in theater and performance, believing that this art form has the power to deeply explore how our social systems function and how we can coexist as humans. I’m particularly intrigued by various forms, such as online theater, interactive/immersive performances, actor-less productions, and the integration of new technology on stage.
My approach involves infusing humanity into my theatrical research. Typically, I begin with a guiding question to steer the creative process. For instance, during my undergraduate studies, I gathered a group of international students to explore the question, “How have we changed since coming to this country?” This led to shared experiences of living abroad and navigating different cultures, culminating in a collectively devised documentary theater piece. The genuine stories and rawness of non-actors in our society always leave a lasting impression on me, prompting a fascination with the “everydayness” of life. I’m interested in how we can bring that authenticity to the stage and what it signifies.
Being a multicultural individual who has experienced theater globally, I continually push the boundaries and definitions of theater in different countries. An example is my original production titled “The Family,” which delves into contemporary family dynamics in China. This production was showcased both in the U.S. and my hometown, Hangzhou, providing valuable insights into audience feedback across diverse cultures.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
All of these technical aspects of creating works. As grew more and developed further, I started to value the importance of technical skills and techniques. I always start with bigger ideas, which is great, but the balance is something I pursue.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
People. Meeting People. And more importantly, the people I met all came from different places and backgrounds. By meeting and working together, I always feel that we are in a huge experiment on the essential question of how do we interact with one another. It is so rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yibinwang.weebly.com/
- Instagram: yibinbillwang
Image Credits
Tayler Everts Lanlan Zhang Dwanye Tang Yuexing Sun