ETHAN CHIN
Ethan Chin is a multidisciplinary artist and producer who has been drawn to the stage since childhood. With a background in theatrical performances, dance, and technical production, Ethan has honed his craft through various experiences, including acting in school plays, professional theater, and ballet studios. His interest in the technical side of live performance began in middle school, where he learned to program lights, mix audio, and more.
As a child of immigrant parents, Ethan's personal connection to the immigrant experience has deeply informed his artistic vision. His show, SYMPHYSIS, is a powerful exploration of the complexities and nuances of immigration, woven from real-life interviews with family, friends, professors, and community members. These interviews, conducted by Ethan himself, have opened his eyes to the diverse experiences of people who have immigrated to this country, and he encourages audience members to watch the full-length interviews, edited by Caroline Lawton, to gain a deeper understanding of the stories behind the show.
By presenting two distinct perspectives on a shared narrative, Ethan invites audiences to engage with the material in a deeply personal and empathetic way. The show's unique structure, where audiences experience each perspective separately and in a different order, creates a new perspective of interpretation, highlighting the complexities of the immigrant experience. Ethan's decision to focus on real-life stories rather than fictitious ones stems from his desire to honor the sacrifices his parents made to build a new life for themselves and their family.
Ethan is grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team of artists, including a documentary editor, composer, choreographer, sound, lighting & costume designers, and more. Through many pre-production meetings and experimental sessions, the team has brought this completely original concept to life. As the owner and operator of a live event production company, Ethan has been fortunate to have the resources to build this large-scale production, which would not have been possible within the normal budget constraints.
For Ethan, SYMPHYSIS is more than just a show – it's a reflection of his personal journey and his commitment to fostering empathy and understanding. He believes that by listening to and sharing individual experiences, we can build bridges between communities and grow together. The title SYMPHYSIS, meaning "the process of growing together," reflects this vision.
SYMPHYSIS is an experimental performance that will never be performed again, making it a unique and unforgettable experience for audiences. Ethan hopes that everyone who sees the show will take something meaningful away, whether it's a surface-level impression or a deeper message.
Class of 2025 | Creator of SYMPHYSIS
"Without us all sitting down and listening to each other, there will be no progress. Without listening, there is no understanding, and without understanding, there is no agreement."
"There is no right or wrong opinion to have from watching this show – only the opportunity to engage with the stories and perspectives that make us human."
Creative Team
Manu Monogenis
Class of 2026 | Music Supervisor/Composesr
My name is Manu and I am an aspiring film and television composer. It was an incredible opportunity to be a part of this project which portrays the ups and downs of immigration through a variety of lenses. I am personally connected to our thematic ideas as my Grandmother had migrated to America from Thessaloniki, Greece on a Full-Bright Scholarship to Barnard in the late 60s as well as my mothers parents in the early 60s surviving Soviet and German occupation of Poland. There are so many layers to these experiences so I’m incredibly excited to share this project with you all and I hope you enjoy it. Especially the music ;) https://linktr.ee/ManuMonogenis
Caroline Lawton
Dani Crosta
Class of 2025 | Story Designer/Documentary Editor
Class of 2027 | Choreographer
Caroline Lawton is a film studies major at Connecticut College. Her great-grandparents were Italian immigrants. They preserved their identity through food, passing the culture down for generations through every home-cooked meal.
Hi! I’m Dani and I’m a sophomore dance and film studies double major in the museum studies certificate program. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to choreograph for this show! Thank you to the cast for beautifully embodying these stories through dance.
Kellyn Scheel
Jay Sexton
Willow Lopez
Class of 2027 | Graphics/Visuals
Class of 2027 | Lighting Designer
Class of 2026 | Sound Designer
I am studying Computer Science and Graphic Design, using creative technologies to explore the intersection of art, science, and design. My main works focus on motion graphics and animation, primarily in generative visuals for live music.
My grandparents immigrated to the United States from Germany, although we later discovered that my grandfather had been adopted and was actually of Irish descent. They grew up just a block apart in the Bronx, New York City, but didn’t realize it until after they got engaged. When my grandmother was pregnant with my father, they journeyed across the country to California, where they built a new life from nothing.
Jay Sexton (they/them) is thrilled to be a co-lighting designer for SYMPHYSIS. They are so excited to explore how lighting can be used as a means to shape and define multiple perspectives of the same narrative of a story through this project. You can learn more about their creative and technical work at www.sayjexton.com
Hello Hello! My name's Willow, a sound designer, musician, and an academic! Everything about SYMPHYSIS speaks to my Chicano experience with many family members who have immigrated. It means a lot to me and I'm glad to be involved and bring this story to life.
Jonah Hane
Class of 2026 | Dramaturgy
I am a Junior majoring in Theatre and attending the Ammerman Center, with a focus on dramaturgy, playwriting, and the intersection between technology and the human experience. I have lived my life surrounded by people from different walks of life and origins, and it has been immensely empowering to be able to work on a project that sees these stories reflected holistically.
Ali Rubin
Class of 2025 | Costume Designer
Ali (they/them) is a senior theater and physics double major and has two minors in math and self-designed costume design and technology. They are excited to design their first dance-centered performance piece, especially for a show with such powerful storytelling.
Hannah Treiber
Class of 2026 | Design/Publicity/Photography
Hi, I'm Hannah! I am a junior studying neuroscience, art, and dance. I am so glad to be working on SYMPHYSIS with a topic so close to me. I was adopted at a year old and immigrated to the US shortly after. Although I don't remember much it is a part of my story and who I am today. Being a part of this process has been so wonderful and I can't wait for everyone to see it!
Alexa Warren
Class of 2026 | Admin/Ticketing
Hi! I'm a junior double majoring in neuroscience and music and minoring in chemistry! I'm thrilled to have gotten to play a role in the formation and growth of this wonderful show with such an impactful message. Congrats to the entire team on an incredible performance.
The Cast
Taylor Cooper
Class of 2027
Hi everyone! My name is Taylor Cooper and I’m a sophomore dance and psychology major in the public health pathway, and I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this story. I am deeply interested in how perspective impacts interpretation of experiences. I’m looking forward to conveying multiple sides as we navigate one narrative. See you there!
Lily Bent
Nell Hamilton
Class of 2028
Class of 2026
Hi! My name is Lily and I am a first year from Maine majoring in dance and human development! I am so excited to be a part of this project!
Nell Hamilton is a junior studying theater, dance, and government. Huge thanks to Ethan and the entire Symphysis team for this deeply thoughtful and unique collaboration.
Gabriela Miotto Leal
Bridgette Silva
Class of 2026
Class of 2027
I’m excited to be joining Ethan and the entire cast and crew of SYMPHYSIS on this incredible journey. This project resonates deeply with me as it explores the often untold stories of the immigrant experience. My parents’ journey to the US is a testament to resilience—my dad immigrated at just 17, on his own. I am immensely grateful to them for their hard work and sacrifices, which have allowed me to reach for the moon and the stars. Thank you for this opportunity!
My name is Bridgette Silva and I am a sophomore studying dance and anthropology. I am super excited to be part of this process as my father immigrated from Brazil and talks passionately about the push and pull between cultures. Growing up, I always felt unique that my dad was from Brazil and I am grateful to express this experience through art.
The Crew
Jon Munsey
Class of 2028 | Run Crew
My mom grew up in Vietnam and moved to the U.S. when she was a young teenager. In the U.S., she had to work a full-time job, learn English, and attend high school all at the same time in order to pursue a higher education.
Lauriann Burt
Eli Koppi
Class of 2028 | Stage Management
Class of 2028 | Run Crew
Working on SYMPHYSIS has been an incredible opportunity to explore identity and heritage while gaining technical experience in my first year at Conn. My family’s experience, immigrating from Ireland and letting go of traditions to assimilate, along with the show’s themes, remind me how important it is to share experiences and preserve culture for future generations.
My name is Eli and I’m a freshman majoring in music. I’m very excited to be doing tech for Symphysis. Special thanks to all the cast and crew for their hard work!
Special thanks to all of the CC Prod crew who helped build our stages!
Faculty Advisors
Rachel Boggia
Chair & Professor of the Dance Department | Associate Fellow of the Ammerman Center
shawn hove
Nadav Assor
Associate Professor of Art | Director of the Ammerman Center
Steve Luber
Adjunct Assiant Professor of Theater | Acting Director of the Ammerman Center
Professor of Dance
