**Who is Wah-Kwan Gwan? **

Wah-Kwan Gwan was born to a Chinese father and an Indigenous mother in B.C. His father, Gwan, came to Canada to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway and later met his wife, Lucy. After years of hard labor, Gwan’s health declined, and he returned to China with Wah-Kwan, leaving Lucy and their daughter behind. In China, Wah-Kwan was adopted by a Cantonese opera performer and trained in opera and prop making. As an adult, Wah-Kwan returned to Canada to find his birth mother, facing discrimination due to his language and background.

“The Prop Master’s Dream” highlights the historical racism faced by Chinese Canadians and Indigenous people, raising awareness of race relations and anti-racism. This fusion opera tells Wah-Kwan’s true-life story, blending traditional Cantonese opera with modern elements.

How did the audience’s reaction to the opera in 2022 shape the decisions for this year’s Production?

The enthusiastic response and sold-out performances in 2022 led to the decision to remount “The Prop Master’s Dream” this year. To enhance the experience, new components have been added, building on the opera’s success and meeting the demand from opera enthusiasts.