Detained Chinese immigrants carved their anguish into a wall a century ago. Those words inspired a ballet

Tragedy Transformed: Chinese Immigrants' Heartbreaking Words Inspire a Ballet

One century ago, detained Chinese immigrants carved their anguish into the walls of the Angel Island detention facility. Today, these heartbreaking inscriptions have given birth to an extraordinary artistic expression.

From Wall Carvings to Movement: The Ballet's Powerful Origins

The recently debuted "Angel Island" ballet brings to life the emotional prison writings discovered within:

• Over 200 poems carved between 1910-1940
• Revealing detainees' fears, loneliness and resilient hopes
• Months-long interrogations under harsh detention policies

Oakland Ballet Company Creates Emotional Tribute

Artistic Director Graham Lustig explains they used dance to translate the carvings: "The physicality of cutting into wood translates beautifully to dance. Each movement tells their story of perseverance against injustices."

Continuing Relevance of Immigration Stories

Detention center historian Judy Yung notes:

"These carvings transform from historical artifact to living art. The ballet helps audiences connect viscerally with experiences often reduced to textbook summaries."

Performance Dates	Location
April 18-25, 2025	Oakland Paramount Theatre