Meranda Flachs-Surmanek and Rita Liu have been committed collaborators since 2020, beginning their creative work together digitally from different U.S. states. Now, as Rita returns to Taiwan, we are excited to dream beyond the U.S. and experiment across the lands we call home, and the lands we are called to by international collaborators.

Image of "At this table..."; photo by Ji Hoon Kim, courtesy of CultureHub

Together, Meranda, Rita, and Creative Technologist Jay Reinier are creating Bridging the Water, an interdisciplinary, hybrid, live art experience exploring conversation across countries and languages. The project will explore how we support multiple communities across the globe in coming together through digital creative practices.

With a focus on connections we have with artists and activists in Asia (e.g. Taiwan, Japan, and India), Bridging the Water will begin with workshops held independently in NYC and Taiwan. We will explore the activation of our stories through creative technologies. Interactions will be custom-designed in CultureHub’s Broadcaster, a streaming platform built by creative technologists to bring participatory elements of experimental live art to audiences at home.

Our team will lead a co-design process with the ensemble (artists of all ages, homebound older adults, people across the disability spectrum who are 55+, and social service providers). We will push the Broadcaster's technology to be equal parts accessible and expressive for people across the lifespan and languages. This project seeks co-ownership of the design process among experts in coding and creative technology, and people who hold other knowledges (of aging, disability, and creating their life in a language other than English). Our devising process will culminate in a hybrid (in-person in NYC and Taiwan and digital) live art experience.

Bridging the Water builds on our work as the inaugural Wellness Together Arts Fellows with CultureHub, the Performance Project and La MaMa, where we worked for six months to explore the creative and interactive possibilities of online performance to foster an expanded sense of community with people who are homebound and ensure technological advances are accessible to those who could benefit the most.

Image of "At this table..."; photo by Ji Hoon Kim, courtesy of CultureHub

On May 28, 2026, we presented the culmination of the Wellness Together Fellowship, At this table...at La MaMa in NYC and online on CultureHub's Broadcaster. "At this table..." is, in ensemble members Ed Woodham and Maryann DeLeo's words, "a sexy, jazzy, zany, improvisational, puzzling, experimental interactive theatre of life". The performance features an open-hybrid public forum – an adapted “Long Table” conversation, in performance artist Lois Weaver’s tradition. The work exploreds themes of community, wellness, aging, pleasure, and belonging. At this table… has so far reached more than 270 global audience members through two work-in-progress performances at La MaMa and online on the Broadcaster.

The intergenerational ensemble brings their artistry and their histories to the process. Some members participated in the East Village’s experimental theater scene. Other members are performers, musicians, and visual artists. As ensemble member Elisa de la Roche shares: “I have a PhD, have been a professor, teacher, professional actor, writer, singer, dancer, artist, etc, but I always feel as though I am a beginner. I love to explore in a new way, with others. Each person adds something new and refreshing.”

Bridging the Water is the continuation of the Wellness Together Arts Fellowship. With a focus on connections we have with performing artists and activists in Asia (e.g. Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and India), we will build on our hybrid performance capabilities with CultureHub and The Performance Project, who will facilitate connection with Wellness Together participants and creative technology support. Bridging the Water asks: What is between us? What can we shape together? In Mandarin, 火花 means blossom of fire. In Japanese, 花火 means firework. We wonder what 火花 we might light up together.

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