PING CHONG + COMPANY Will Premiere ALAXSXA | ALASKA at La MaMa in October

Ping Chong + COMPANY just announced the premiere of ALAXSXA | ALASKA, a theatrical work using video projections, puppetry, and Central Yup'ik drum and dance to reveal stories of cross-cultural encounter in the epic, changing landscapes of Alaska. Developed during multiple residencies in Alaska and New York City, with support from the NEFA National Theater Project, among others, it will debut in Anchorage, Alaska from August 31-September 3, 2017, followed by a statewide Alaskan tour before it comes to New York for a three-week engagement at La MaMa ETC fromOctober 12-29, 2017. Tickets are on sale now and available by visiting http://lamama.org/alaxsxa/.

ALAXSXA | ALASKA weaves text and movement with striking design elements in a collage of contemporary and historical collisions between indigenous Alaska Native communities and newcomers to "The Last Frontier." Written and directed by Ping Chong and Ryan Conarro, and developed with performers Ryan Conarro, Gary Upay'aq Beaver (Central Yup'ik) and puppeteer Justin Perkins, ALAXSXA | ALASKA unfolds urgent, little-known Alaskan histories alongside the memories and personal stories of Beaver and Conarro, two Alaskan artists representing opposing perspectives of "insider" and "outsider" in the 49th state. The title of the piece includes the indigenous Unangax tribal name for the rocky shores of the Alaskan Peninsula: Alaxsxa (uh-LUK-shuh). This word is mirrored by and juxtaposed against the familiar, Anglicized place name, "Alaska." The title serves as a metaphor for the personal and cultural encounters that lie at the heart of this project.

ALAXSXA | ALASKA features sound design by Lucy Peckham, video and projection design byKatherine Freer, lighting design by Marika Kent, costume design by Stefani Mar, puppet and object design by Justin Perkins, and mask design by Philip J. Charette (Central Yup'ik).

Tickets for ALAXSXA | ALASKA at La MaMa range from $20 to $25 dollars and are available by visiting http://lamama.org/alaxsxa/.