Henry Ong
Henry Ong (November 23, 1949 – September 29, 2018) was an internationally produced playwright whose works have been produced at the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego; Singapore Repertory Theatre; Latchmere Theatre, London; Queens Theatre in the Park, NY; Bailiwick Theatre, Chicago;, Whitefire Theatre, Los Angeles; Grove Theater Center, Los Angeles, and Company of Angels, Los Angeles. His fully produced plays include "The Blade of Jealousy", "Sweet Karma", "Fabric", "Legend of the White Snake", "People Like Me", and "Madame Mao's Memories." His other completed works include "Ascent" (expanded from a short play, "The Silkworm Scientist"), "Rachel Ray," "Nina Balata ," and "The Masseur." Early life. Born in Malaysia in 1949, Ong attended school in Singapore before migrating to the United States to attend Iowa State University. Works. Ong was a 16-time recipient of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Artist-in-Residence grants. He has worked on many oral history projects in several underserved communities—notably Asian American—resulting in presentation of stories not often portrayed in mainstream media. These include Chinese American Stories, Thai American Stories, Pinoy Stories, and Sikh American Stories, among others. In 1998, Ong received a DramaLogue Award for Excellence in Writing  for his play, People Like Me. In 2014, he was recognized with the Lee Melville award by Playwrights' Arena for Outstanding Contribution to Theater in Los Angeles. in 2018, he was awarded the Dean's Arts and Humanities Award from College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University, in recognition of distinguished alumni who have enhanced appreciation of the arts and humanities at the local, state, national or international level. Ong was an Active Member of the Dramatist Guild. Death. Ong died September 29, 2018 following three years of cancer. Playwriting Credits. Full-length plays: One Acts and  Short Plays. One acts: Short plays include: Winter; The Valley of the Bones; Legit; Seppuku!; Who's F***ing the Horse?; Stella!; Leonardo Doesn't Live Here Anymore; Sunset in Silver Lake; Dim Sum and Then Some; The Birth of Narcissus; The Saga of Lulu Wong; Four Walls. Youth Plays (2001 – 2006): Golden Flower Princess (Thai folktale); The Fire Boy (Japanese folktale); Lady White Snake (Chinese folktale); The Marriage of Bolak Sonday (Filipino folktale) [all produced by Marlton School, Los Angeles] Writing/oral history workshops (facilitated and conducted): Teaching Experience Published plays and books Screenplays China Boy, The Body Perfect, Tara