'Pearls in the Wave' by Hongyi Tian

Name: Piano recital by guest artist Melody Quah
Start: 2026-01-23T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-23T20:30:00-05:00
Location: Denison University

April 22, 2022 - May 2, 2022 8:00pm - 9:30pm

The Department of Theatre presents the world premiere of "Pearls in the Wave," a new play by Hongyi Tian (‘13).

Notice: this information is for a past event.

Location:	Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts - Hylbert Family Studio
Ticket Info:	The event is free but tickets are required.
Questions:	Marla Krak Arts Engagement Coordinator Vail Series Assistant Director krakm@denison.edu 740-587-6787

The Department of Theatre presents the world premiere of “Pearls in the Wave,” a new play by Hongyi Tian (‘13). “Pearls in the Wave” tells the story of Yun, a struggling novelist fed up with the incessant nagging from her mother who is pushing her to get married. Yun decides to bring home a fake boyfriend, hoping her parents will shut up. But in doing so she unknowingly embarks on a journey that leads to an eerie enclave haunted by both the lies of the past and the fears of the present.

In 1994, playwright Jonathan R. Reynolds (DU ‘65) established a foundation that funds an every-other-year residency for a noted playwright to spend a semester at Denison, teaching a course in playwriting and preparing a new play for production. Past Reynolds Playwrights have included Arnold Wesker, Caridad Svich, Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas, Arthur Kopit, Len Jenkin, and Denison alum Jeffrey Hatcher (DU ‘80).

We’re pleased to announce that in the Spring of 2022, the Reynolds Playwright will be another Denison alum, Hongyi Tian (DU ‘13). Tian holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Playwriting from the prestigious program at Columbia University in New York City, has written and produced multiple award-winning plays and translations, and currently resides in Suzhou, China as a freelance playwright/translator with his wife Beibei and their four cats. Tian is thrilled to be returning to Granville with the world premiere of “Pearls in the Wave.”

Directed by Peter Pauzé

Performance Dates and Times are as follows:

Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m.
Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m.

COVID Policy information: In addition to the Denison community, we are currently able to welcome fully vaccinated members of the public. You will be required to submit either your Denison D# or share your proof of vaccination when ordering your ticket. Family and Public ticket availability ends 24 hrs before the event. At this time, masks are optional in the Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts.

All events and COVID policies are subject to change.