Pang’s purpose was to share the Chinese-American immigration experience with the community. Sharing these stories allows for more understanding of one’s culture and one’s experiences, and Pittsburgh has always been an ideal place for artists to share their unique cultures with the rest of the community.

“At Point Park, I found the opportunity to work with musical theater students and immerse myself with all the amazing singers, actors and all of the human resources,” said Yan Pang when asked what attracted her to Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh arts community is rich with people who share the same passion as Pang to connect with each other and share their stories through creativity and artistic and musical expression.

Yan Pang and Amanda Sun both had inspirational and insightful advice for first-generation students who are undergoing the same hardships as the characters in One-Lodge Bridge. For someone who is struggling with displacement and loneliness, Pang wanted students to know that

“With the right people and the right community, they will find their sense of belonging because there will be people like them no matter how small that group is,” Sun, a student herself, said.

Sun also included the importance of a support system, especially whenever hardships get too overwhelming. Having the support of a found family or friend group provides the backbone for a difficult transition from a person’s native home to an entirely new way of living.

One-Log Bridge by Yan Pang is a part of the 2023-2024 Community Supported Art Performance Series at the New Hazlett Theater in the Northside. The opera will be performed on December 7 at 8 PM and December 8 at 10 AM and 8 PM.