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  3. Elizabeth Liang
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Elizabeth Liang

Intersectional Storytelling Expert, Speaker
HapaLis Prods
Country or state 
United States (California)
Available to 
Global
City 
Los Angeles
Fee 
Languages 
English,
Spanish
Volunteer
Yes

Personal Details

Current position (1)

Intersectional Storytelling Expert, Speaker

HapaLis Prods

Achievements (3)
World Tour of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey

Toured one-woman show around the USA and to Panama, Iceland, Spain, South Africa, and Singapore.

Award-winning film of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey

Award-winning film of one-woman show about growing up as dual citizen of mixed heritage in six countries.

Published Author

Published essayist on intercultural creativity; columnist for online magazine; and blogger.

Degrees (2)
English Lit
Wesleyan University
1990 to 1992
English Lit
Wellesley College
1988 to 1990

Bio

Horizontal Tabs

Elizabeth Liang: Speaker

Elizabeth is an internationally sought out artist-educator on intersectionality, autobiographical storytelling, the Third Culture Kid and Mixed Race experiences, and the creative process. She is also an award-winning actress and published essayist who was raised in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Morocco, Egypt, and Connecticut as a Guatemalan-American business brat of Chinese-Spanish-Irish-French-German-English descent.

The film of her one-woman show, ALIEN CITIZEN: AN EARTH ODYSSEY, won the Outstanding Achievement in Performing Arts Award at the CIC Film Festival. ALIEN CITIZEN premiered at SIETAR USA and was screened at other conferences including Critical Mixed Race Studies (CMRS), Families in Global Transition (FIGT), National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE), and the National Race Amity Conference. It is being used as a pedagogical tool by Anthropology, Communications, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre, and Women & Gender Studies professors throughout the USA and in Canada and Mexico.

Elizabeth performed the one-woman show in 14 states and on four continents, touring the US college circuit; the US Embassy and international schools in Panama and Singapore; and festivals Off Off Broadway and in San Francisco (where it was sponsored by the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center and hosted by the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts). Elizabeth was the first American artist and the first Guatemalan artist to perform at Tjarnarbíó Creative Center in Reykjavík, Iceland. ALIEN CITIZEN was also the closing performance at the SIETAR Europa Congress in Spain and the Women Playwrights International Conference in South Africa.

Elizabeth’s essays about navigating the creative process as an intercultural person have been published in an anthology and scholarly journals. She co-hosted Hapa Happy Hour, the longest running podcast on the mixed race and TCK experiences.

Elizabeth has lead her workshop on writing one’s intercultural solo show, memoir, or personal essay at venues including Princeton University, DePaul University, Cal State L.A., Vassar College, University of Chicago, Hillsborough Community College, Tennessee Tech, University of Maryland, Cal Arts, St. Mary’s College (IN), Wellesley College, Lewis & Clark College, and the FIGT and CMRS conferences. She also leads private sessions in Los Angeles and via Skype with participants around the world.

Elizabeth Liang: Actor/Author

Elizabeth has acted in both English- and Spanish-language features and short films that have been screened all over the globe. Some of her television credits include "NCIS," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and a recurring role on "The West Wing."

On stage Elizabeth has acted at the Bootleg Theater, Critical Mass Performance Group, East West Players, Theatre of NOTE, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Quantum Theatre Company, 2100 Sq Ft, and Pacific Resident Theatre, among others.

Her one-woman show, Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey, toured in 14 states and four continents. It is now a film on DVD and streamable.

Elizabeth is also a published author. Her essay about the process of writing her solo show, “Checked Baggage: Writing Unpacked,” was published in the anthology Writing Out of Limbo: International Childhoods, Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids. For three years she wrote the column "TCK Talent" in The Displaced Nation, in which she interviewed adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) who work in creative fields.

Elizabeth was the co-host of Hapa Happy Hour, the longest running podcast to explore and celebrate the mixed-heritage experience. This subject was highlighted in her production of Chekhov’s Three Sisters, in which all of the siblings were played as Hapa (multiracial of partially Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent) by hapa actors. She wrote an essay about the experience, “Transforming Three Sisters,” which was published in a special issue of the scholarly journal Asian American Literature: Discourses & Pedagogies.

Elizabeth leads a workshop on writing one's solo show, memoir, or personal essay. She also blogs about solo show creation. She has a special affinity for intercultural stories and continues to search for ways to give voice to those experiences.

Presentations

Presentations (3)
The Transformative Power of Sharing Our Intersectional Stories

This talk elucidates the difference between intersectionality and the intersections of identity, then highlights how telling both kinds of stories can resonate with countless people. Lisa demonstates how sharing our intersectional stories can connect us to one another and support the creation of more compassionate workplaces and a more just society. This can only help us at a terribly disconnected, contentious time. An excellent talk for DEI&B and women's events.

The Resonance of Intercultural Stories

This talk highlights how intercultural stories validate the experiences of countless people. The film Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey is used as an example of the transformative power of intersectional and inclusive storytelling.

The talk also shows how Alien Citizen resonates for people who are NOT intercultural because the story reveals human truths. Thus, intercultural storytelling connects different people in ways they don’t often expect.

Alien Citizen is the funny and poignant award-winning film about growing up as a dual citizen of mixed heritage in six countries.

The broader themes of the talk include:

★ How the growing focus on intersectionality is redefining identity in inclusive, more accurate ways
★ Why truthful and thoughtful self expression is critical for a young person’s healthy development
★ How schools, businesses, and nonprofits can harness the power of creative self expression to inspire people in their communities and make them feel more connected

Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey - Filmmaker Talkback

Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey is the dynamic film of Elizabeth Liang's funny and moving one-woman show about growing up in the intersections of identity as a dual citizen of mixed heritage in Central America, North Africa, the Middle East, and New England.

After the screening, Elizabeth's lively and engaging talkback helps participants learn more about Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK) issues and at the same time learn about the processes of filmmaking, theatremaking, and intercultural storytelling in general.

Workshops (1)
Tell Your Story of Growing Up or Living Among Worlds
90 minutes
(View workshop agenda)

Elizabeth leads a workshop on writing a solo show, memoir, or personal essay. Anyone who grew up or is currently living among different worlds, as a bridge or an island or both (whatever that may mean to them), will get a lot from this workshop. Third Culture Kids, multiracial people, children of immigrants, international students, transnational adoptees, expats, and other intercultural people will gain new insights into their stories—stories they rarely get to see on stage or screen—and learn how they matter. But all are welcome! The workshop is helpful for anyone with a story they want to share.

Past talks (48)
The Transformative Power of Telling Our Intersectional Stories
Peapod Digital Labs
Online (Zoom)
March 8, 2022
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back + workshop
Hillsborough Community College
Ybor City, FL
September 30, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening)
National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE)
online
June 7, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
May 19, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back + workshop
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
May 17, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back + workshop
Tennessee Tech
Tennessee
April 12, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back
Cairo American College
Cairo, Egypt
April 7, 2021
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey (film screening) + talk-back + workshop
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
March 12, 2021
Filmmaker Talk-back after screening Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey
National Race Amity Conference
Zoom
November 20, 2020
Tell Your Story Workshop
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, OR
February 12, 2020
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpts], followed by Q&A and Tell Your Story Workshop
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA, USA
March 6, 2019
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance] and Tell Your Story Workshop
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN, USA
February 6, 2019
Filmmaker Talkback & Workshop after screening of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA
November 14, 2018
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance] and Tell Your Story Workshop
Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL, USA
September 27, 2018
Screening of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey
Families in Global Transition Conference
The Hague, The Netherlands
March 9, 2018
Filmmaker Talkback after screening of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey
Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference
University of Maryland, MD, USA
March 1, 2018
Tell Your Story Workshop
Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference
University of Maryland, MD, USA
March 3, 2018
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [8 performances over 4 weeks]
Solo Queens Festival
Los Angeles, CA, USA
October 27, 2017
Filmmaker Talkback after screening of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey
SIETAR USA Conference
San Diego, CA, USA
October 20, 2017
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance], followed by Q&A w/ director Sofie Calderon & Elizabet
Citrus College
Glendora, CA, USA
May 5, 2016
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Singapore American School
Singapore
April 27, 2016
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Canadian International School
Singapore
April 25, 2016
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Smith College
Northampton, MA, USA
January 30, 2016
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [excerpt] followed by Tell Your Story workshop in Professor Laura Kina's "Mixed Race Art & Identity" seminar
DePaul University
Chicago, IL, USA
September 16, 2015
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Women Playwrights International Conference
Cape Town, South Africa
July 3, 2015
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
SIETAR-Europa Congress
Valencia, Spain
May 23, 2015
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ, USA
April 22, 2015
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance], followed by Q&A w/ director Sofie Calderon & Elizabet
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA, USA
April 16, 2015
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA, USA
March 3, 2015
"Creating and Performing a Live Performance Piece" panelist
Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference
DePaul University, IL, USA
November 13, 2014
Mixed Roots Showcase [performed excerpt of Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey]
Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference
DePaul University, IL, USA
November 15, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpts], followed by Q&A
Carleton College
Northfield, MN, USA
October 31, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance], followed by Q&A
Augustana College
Sioux Falls, SD
October 2, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
IMF Family Association
Bretton Woods Recreation Center, MD, USA
September 30, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance], followed by Audience Q&A
Williams College
Williamstown, MA, USA
September 18, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [2 performances]
Tjarnarbíó Creative Center
Reykjavík, Iceland
August 22, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpt]
World Bank Family Network Gala Dinner
Washington, DC, USA
May 13, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
United States of Asian America Festival
San Francisco, CA, USA
May 10, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT, USA
April 10, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpts]
Balboa Academy
Panama City, Panama
March 25, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpts]
International School of Panama
Panama City, Panama
March 26, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpts]
US Embassy
Panama City, Panama
March 27, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [closing keynote/performance]
Families in Global Transition (FIGT) conference
VA, USA
March 23, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance]
M.I.T.
Cambridge, MA, USA
February 21, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performance], followed by moderated Q&A
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ, USA
February 12, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [performed excerpt] followed by Tell Your Story workshop
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA, USA
January 17, 2014
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [2 performances]
Women at Work Festival
New York, NY, USA
September 24, 2013
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey [10 performances over 5 weeks]
World Premiere at Asylum Lab
Hollywood, CA, USA
May 3, 2013
  • All (4)
  • Videos
  • Photos (1)
  • Slides (1)
  • One sheet (1)
  • Press information (1)
This speaker hasn't uploaded any videos yet.
Leading workshop as keynote at Lewis & Clark College's TCK Symposium
Leading workshop as keynote at Lewis & Clark College's TCK Symposium
Tell Your Intercultural Story (Lewis & Clark TCK Symposium)
Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey and Elizabeth Liang
Elizabeth Liang's 'Alien Citizen: An Earth Odyssey' is a Poignant Transcultural Voyage - Black Girl Nerds

Books & Articles (5)

"Checked Baggage: Writing Unpacked" in Writing Out of Limbo: International Childhoods, Global Nomads and Third Culture Kids
Cambridge Scholars Publishiing,
2011
"Transforming Three Sisters: A Hapa Family in Chekhov's Modern Classic"
"Who Are You?"
Suitcase Factory: Creating a Solo Show (baggage included)
TCK Talent

Expertise (37)

Entertainment & Art
Travel & Adventure
Skills & Trades
Intercultural Issues Creativity Personal Storytelling Writing Multicultural Issues Third Culture Kids Global Nomads Cross-Cultural intersectionality Mixed Race Identity Intersectional inclusion Belonging vs. Self-Identity Creative Storytelling Identity Issues Education and storytelling Storytelling Writing, Sharing, Storytelling, Recovery memoir writing One woman show solo show DEI speaker Identity Racial identity Being your whole self Self-identity Empowering Women Language Bilingual Expressive Writing Healing through writing nonfiction writing Acting Theatre Expat Life

Clients

Peapod Digital Labs
University of Chicago
Tennessee Tech
Vassar College
National Race Amity Conference
Lewis & Clark College
Wellesley College
Hillsborough Community College (Tampa, FL)
Saint Mary's College (IN)
University of Southern California
Citrus College (Glendora, CA)
Singapore American School
Canadian International School (Singapore)
Smith College
DePaul University
University of Arizona
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
Carleton College
Augustana College (SD)
IMF Family Association
Williams College
World Bank Family Network
Wesleyan University
Balboa Academy
International School of Panama
US Embassy (Panama)
Families in Global Transition (FIGT) conference
M.I.T.
Princeton University
California State University, Los Angeles

Awards & certifications (5)

Outstanding Achievement Award in the Performing Arts category
Calcutta International Cult Film Festival
2018
Woman-Owned Small Business
Small Business Administration (SBA)
2021
Woman's Business Enterprise
Women’s Business Enterpise National Council (WBENC)
2021
Best Performance by Lead Actress/Comedy
StageSceneLA
2010
Best Performance of the Year by Leading Actress
ReviewPlays
2005

Reviews

Testimonials (5)
  • She is an incredibly captivating speaker. Loved learning about TCKs' experiences.
    Hadas
  • Lisa is an incredible speaker... her words really resonate. [International Women's Day event for Peapod Digital Labs]
    Katrine
  • Excellent! It's important to understand intersectionality vs. intersections of identity and how deep it goes. Story telling format makes the content more memorable! [International Women's Day event for Peapod Digital Labs]
    Traci
  • Incredibly moving and so relevant for any workspace. [International Women's Day event for Peapod Digital Labs]
    Attendee at IWD Event
  • So great! [International Women's Day event for Peapod Digital Labs]
    Kate
Recommendations
6 Audience
Show More
Why choose me? 

I've spoken on 4 continents about intercultural identity, intersectionality, & creativity.

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