TEGAN JONES : A DISH OF DELIGHTFUL FUSION

Born of a Chinese mother and an Australian father, Tegan Jones is a genuine intercultural fusion that is the ideal representation of the ACT Australasian Chinese Theatre), a theatre and film company I created. The ACT was born out of a need: to increase the visibility of Chinese Australian performing artists in Melbourne. When the affirmative action legislation first came about over 40 years ago, and multicultural Australia was born, I was excited. But soon I realize that multicultural Australia on the performing scene is still essentially white Anglo or white European Australians. Where are the sinitic looking people? Where are the chopsticks people? They are not on stage or film in Australia. Many reasons for this phenomenon. For a start, there are few parts or roles written for Chinese Australians specifically.

Apart from Madam Butterfly or M. Butterfly, or Miss Saigon… there are not many pieces written which are intrinsically