"Wang Newton is the little me inside shouting out to this crazy world"
-- Abraham, workshop attendee and college student
Screen shots of interviews from LEZS Magazine and Conde Nast's Iris
"Dr. Wang" Newton is a Taiwanese-born American performance artist specializing in the art of drag. Assigned female at birth, Wang takes on hyper-masculine theatrical expression (known in modern times as 'drag king' performance) to give social commentary on culture and politics with comedic jabs. Wang has traveled internationally to host events and provide cheeky improvised interviews and has been voted one of the top 25 drag kings in the world. After 14 years of performing around the globe, Wang is the first and only king of Taiwanese descent.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND WORKSHOPS
While Dr. Wang’s fun and irreverent 'Taipei' personality delivers a one-of-a-kind performance, they also provide a fresh and unique perspective on gender, sexuality, illusion and the intersectionality between culture and expression – breaking multiple boundaries to create a platform – and opportunities - that has never existed before.
As a speaker and workshop facilitator, they encourage the critical dialogue surrounding the evolving dynamics of Asian and LGBTQIA+ communities– bringing light to the beauty that manifests when these supposedly-conflicting identities collide. By sharing their unique journey of cultural self-identification and expression, Wang Newton confronts what it means to be both Asian American and queer amidst the contemporary social and political climates.
As a speaker and workshop facilitator, they encourage the critical dialogue surrounding the evolving dynamics of Asian and LGBTQIA+ communities– bringing light to the beauty that manifests when these supposedly-conflicting identities collide. By sharing their unique journey of cultural self-identification and expression, Wang Newton confronts what it means to be both Asian American and queer amidst the contemporary social and political climates.
"The time really is NOW for Asian Americans: to support each other, to be seen, tell our stories, share our beauty and fierceness." – Dr. Wang Newton
NOTABLES:
- LEZS Meeting contributing writer (only major queer female-centered magazine in Asia, published in Taiwan)- writing an POV column & interviews with international Asian entertainers
- Featured in books DRAGS (coffeetable book) and Are We a Joke (a compilation of Burlesque performers of Asian heritage, with forward written by Wang)
- Workshop facilitator at University of Pennsylvania ITASA conference 2019
- Key performer for 2018 Taiwan LEZS Magazine Pride March and After-Party
- On-site coverage of historic Taiwan Marriage Equality Vote (November 2018)
- 3 time host of the International Asian Burlesque Festival; Original host of A+ Pan Asian Drag Revue; Producer of Happy Beginnings (Asian-centric variety show) in Brooklyn, NY
- Founded “AS I Am” Asian American Student Cultural Club at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA (1990s)
MINI-BIO
Immigrating to the U.S. at age 5 and growing up in rural, conservative towns with few Asian communities to connect with, Wang faced complex challenges and was targeted for being ‘ethnically different.’ Later on during college, the same scrutiny would apply to their sexual energy and gender fluidity. Wang discovered their artistic gifts by chance during Halloween 2004 and since then, has honed their improvisational, saucy persona to create the international “Wang Empire”, including Wang TV, multi-media coverage, and headlining performance world-wide.
Wang is passionate about challenging the notions of sexuality, race, and gender as a way to not only inspire but empower the Pan-Asian communities. Besides training in improv and acting, Wang has also studied extensively in breath meditation and the healing arts -- thus the notion of mental and emotional well being for all is truly taken to heart.
Wang encourages audiences to embrace their true selves, delivering empowering messages that it okay to speak up, to dance wildly, to laugh, to be fully in your body, to love your Self, to try new cultures, be sex positive, to have safe boundaries, to ask for what you want, to slow down and dive deeper into true *intimacy* — the list goes on.
Wang is passionate about challenging the notions of sexuality, race, and gender as a way to not only inspire but empower the Pan-Asian communities. Besides training in improv and acting, Wang has also studied extensively in breath meditation and the healing arts -- thus the notion of mental and emotional well being for all is truly taken to heart.
Wang encourages audiences to embrace their true selves, delivering empowering messages that it okay to speak up, to dance wildly, to laugh, to be fully in your body, to love your Self, to try new cultures, be sex positive, to have safe boundaries, to ask for what you want, to slow down and dive deeper into true *intimacy* — the list goes on.
“When we embrace our true selves, we can be liberated from the guilt and shame for being who we truly are (and, who we create ourselves to be)" -- Dr. Wang Newton
SERVICES:
- Hosting of any event, brief 'stand up comedy' monologue
- Provide ice breakers and comic relief, keep pace and flow of event, engage audience
- 1-2 hour workshops on the 'Yin & the Wang' (a life journey embodying the feminine and masculine)
- Encourage questions and facilitate dialogue to often difficult conversations
- Creatively design new conference formats to be both educational and entertaining