DAO TRAN

I’m a first year university student studying Contemporary Art majoring in Visual Art and I found out about this theatre project through Huu Tran when I first met him at a radio launch. Since the beginning of the project, I had no idea where this was leading to or what I’ll gain from it, but I thought I’d continue because theatre/drama is one of the things I enjoy doing.

During the early stages of this project, my mind was full of doubts and confusion as I’ve never worked with so many Vietnamese people before. In addition, I hardly knew anything about the history of the Vietnamese culture and therefore sort of underestimated the potential of this project. Halfway through, I wanted to quit because it took up so much of my time and that I was getting tired of the repeated workshops and the late hours. Now, I’m so glad that Huu convinced me to stay because I’ve learnt so much more than I bargained for. I am more excited than ever because I get to write my own songs and perform them in the play, but overall I’ve learnt so much about the Vietnamese culture and therefore value it more. "Children of the Dragon" is full of challenges but they turn out to be like a pot of gold next to a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow.

To me, the whole play itself and the meanings behind it does get a bit puzzling and ambiguous I must add. But maybe that's just me...not thinking deep enough about what all of 'this' is about. That's something i need to discover and learn for myself I suppose...you might not get me...sometimes I don't even get myself lol (laugh out loud) but yeah I am learning don't worry...all these pieces of the puzzle will come together one day...most probably after the play. What I'm talking about is the Vietnam War, refugees escaping to Australia, the younger generation....and everything else which will gradually be a revelation to me. At the moment it seems like we're integrating everything we know about the Vietnamese culture, as if this play is too broad and general, but maybe that's the whole point....and to connect the Vietnamese people with the mainstream culture in Australia. I've read everything you wrote in you past emails don't worry...but maybe it's all too overwhelming and philosophical for me right now.

These days I've been real busy with uni and work especially and also trying to wake up at 6am five days in a row, therefore i haven't been turning up to the workshops as much and I do apologize once again. With Children of the Dragon, i feel that it's too important and too good of an opportunity to turn down. So I have decided to continue and try as much to cooperate and commit. I want to say also that the things you have said in your past emails about the performance is really the key issues and obstacles that Vietnamese people (especially the younger generation in Australia) are facing today, and I want to support you because i fully agree.