The Cre8sian Project was founded as a way to give back to the community while empowering Asian women around the world by developing female superhero characters that envelop qualities of a strong, superhero-like woman: Determination, Concentration, Motivation, and Education. This brand is about recognizing diversity in the arts, emphasizing that representation matters, and empowering women in the arts and beyond!
The Cre8sian Project Scholarships, through Positively Arts (a 501c3 non profit) and in partnership with “In Her Purpose,” are open to female and female identifying high school and middle school students attending public, private, or home school with an interest in the arts, have some asian heritage, and live in Clark County. Students who are involved in any aspect of the arts, not just performance, are encouraged to apply. This can include writers, photographers, filmmakers, technical stage crew (carpentry, props, lighting, automation, audio, set design, stage managers), artists, graphic designers, directors, acrobats, singers, dancers, musicians, composers, arrangers, etc.
Selina Pope is an Eurasian portrait artist based in London. She has studied under portrait artist Nicole Porter while growing up in Aberdeen and has completed short courses at the Maryland Institute College of Art, the London Art Academy and the Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy. Selina mainly utilizes graphite and oils in her art and is influenced by traditional “old master” techniques, such as the limited palette. A mixed ethnicity background, along with growing up in Scotland, inspires the theme of identity depicted throughout her works. In February, her drawing of TV and radio presenter Norman Busigu was accepted into the 2021 Royal Society of British Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries, one of the oldest art exhibitions in Britain. Following, another prestigious organization, the Royal Scottish Academy, accepted the piece for their online exhibition. These artistic achievements along with a creative spirit continue to ignite passion and purpose for Selina as she balances her full-time law career with being an artist. Read on to learn more about Selina and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Sujana Chand is a professional singer, actress, vocal coach, ESL teacher and food blogger based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She studied Acting, Music and Dance at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and ever since has continued to follow her love for the performing arts. Career highlights include the lead singer for three Cirque du Soleil shows; a cast member for the Broadway National Tour of Bombay Dreams; lead singer in Maui’s Ulalena; and premiering Stephen Schwartz’ “Secret Silk” on The Coral Princess as the Old Woman. Recently she produced her first CD, Sujana Chand – R&B Hits of Yesterday and Today -and has taken up food blogging, a new passion she thoroughly enjoys. She is inspired by successful people who remain humble and kind and admires her mother for her consistent and loving support throughout her life. Read on to learn more about Sujana and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Cre8sian Project Scholarship Winner Ella Mariano has been busy this year! Currently she has been working hard on her studies, especially the college level classes, keeping up with chamber and show choir, and focusing on maintaining good mental health. This past winter she also participated in Positively Arts’s Home for the Holidays Spectacular as well as making a video for an Advent Calendar of Holiday Cheer for a young student battling cancer. She’s also working on original music to potentially be released this year! In addition to all of this, The Cre8sian Project is sponsoring vocal lessons for her with Phantom of the Opera Broadway cast member Satomi Hofmann! Keep your eyes open for this #AmazingAsianInTheArts as she continues to reach for the stars!
Determin8sian Scholarship winner Brianna Gracia has been busy with rehearsals for Shrek the Musical at Seedling Theatre Company where she landed the role of Pinocchio and is part of Seedling’s Showcase Cast! She also just completed a 4-week course in Beginning Voiceover Acting at The Voice Actors Studio. At Coronado High School , where Brianna is a freshman, she recently got cast in the play “Clue.” During her free time, Brianna enjoys writing and graphic arts. Keep your eyes open for this rising #AmazingAsianintheArts as she continues to reach for the stars!
Karla Garcia is an actor based in Oxon Hill, MD! She has performed on Broadway in Hot Feet and Hamilton, performing in the 2016 Tonys with the original cast of Hamilton! She was also in the NBC TV show Smash and is currently choreographing a new musical called Other World. Keep reading to find out more about what makes Karla an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Joanna Sotomura is a TV/Film actor based in Los Angeles! She has been in Major TV series like Hawaii 5-0 and Criminal Minds, has a recurring guest role on a series called Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye, and appeared in the Emmy Award winning film Emma Approved! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Joanna an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Carol Angeli is an actor/singer/dancer based in Bloomfield, NJ ! She has been in a total of 6 iterations of Miss Saigon (including the latest Broadway revival), Here Lies Love, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and various National tours and regional productions! In addition to her performing career, Carol is also studying to become a nurse! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Carol an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Kathleen Choe is an actor and writer based in New York City! She comes from a background in film production before transitioning into acting. Her work spans the stage and screen, as well as voice over work for audio books! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Kathleen an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Emily Kuroda is an actor, writer, and producer based in Los Angeles!! Since her humble beginnings at East West Players, she has run the gamut from stage to screen, acting in TV shows like “Gilmore Girls” and “The Good Doctor” to new works like “Endlings,” a play about the henyos in Korea, which she had performed in Boston right before the shutdown this year. Keep reading to find out more about what makes Emily an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Lava Buckley is a filmmaker based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was recently named Outstanding Female Content Creator in this year's 72 Hour Shootout! Lava is an actress turned filmmaker, comes from an incredibly interesting Thai family history, and has an astounding amount of special skills and hobbies! Keep reading to find out more about what makes Lava an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Jennie Kwan is an actor, singer, and vocal coach based in Los Angeles!! She has been on stage with shows like Miss Saigon and Avenue Q, and also in the TV/Film industry in California Dreams...
Thuc Nguyen is a screenwriter and producer based in Los Angeles!! She has worked in New York and Hollywood with big names like Jerry Bruckheimer and Warner Brothers Television...
Karen Huie is an actor, writer, photographer, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles!! Her versatility allows to work in voiceovers, looping, video games and anime. Her voice can be heard in the last...
