In a recent artist residency event hosted by the Taiwan-American Arts Council (TAAC) on Governor’s Island in New York, Hawaiian singer-songwriter and musician Rad Jet was invited to perform alongside several musical theater actors from Taiwan. In honor of TAAC’s founding exhibition “People’s Movement: Sunflower Student Movement 10th Anniversary,” there was a grand choir performance of the popular song “Island Light” by the band Fire EX.
Rad Jet, an independent musician, has released 11 singles exploring various contemporary social issues through his music. On August 17th, Rad Jet collaborated with musical theater actor Tseng Kuei-fang as co-vocalist, performing seven songs including “Political Gun,” “Celebrate Change,” and “Embrace Your Love.”
Tseng Kuei-fang is known for her performances in popular stage plays such as “Mulan Girl” and “Taiwanese Monsters” during her time in Taiwan. While in the United States, she has also been involved in numerous off-Broadway productions.
At the end of the program, fellow musical theater actors from Taiwan, including Shih Ying-an, Chen Ting-chun, Huang Kai-ching, and Tsai Wan-chen, joined the grand choir performance of “Island Light” to pay tribute to TAAC’s 10th anniversary and the 2024 special exhibition with the theme of the student movement.
Shih Ying-an was previously invited to participate in the highly acclaimed “The Little Mermaid” animated symphony concert during the first visit to Taiwan, where she played the main role of “Ursula.” Chen Ting-chun has been involved in several Broadway-authorized musicals, including portraying the lead role in “Cinderella” and participating in the cross-border production of “Dulcinea” by Weiwuying and the Rheinoper Düsseldorf.
Huang Kai-ching is also a member of the National Asian Artists Project (NAAP), and Tsai Wan-chen, who has extensive stage experience in Taiwan, is currently studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York.