Praise

I want to thank you and everyone on your team for affording the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra an experience of a lifetime. The opportunity to perform in Forbidding City for the students was a highlight for us on the tour. I really appreciate all of the effort put into making it happen

"I can't imagine touring my company to China without the expertise, attention to detail, and deep cultural sensitivity provided by Ping Pong Productions. Alison Friedman is a full genius when it comes to ... everything she does. She is reliable, direct, kind, funny, enthusiastic, intelligent, and trustworthy. And a friend. I have nothing but praise for the whole operation.

Plus, Ping Pong is a great name."

"We shared our thoughts and beliefs about the value of talent and creativity. One student even asked, 'My education has not taught me to be creative and find my own voice ... can you help me understandhow to cultivate this on my own?' And what a fruitful conversation ensued! Thanks to Ping Pong's ACCT program for creating environments where this kind of intimate discussion of life and creativity can unfold."

"Ping Pong Productions has been producing really cutting edge dance productions all over the world. This highest caliber, this intellectual and aesthetic content, is exactly what we strive to bring to our University. Ms. Friedman is not only a good producer but she's actually a cultural ambassador in the best sense of the word, like the Confucius Institute is doing. She's working with Chinese and international governments and institutions to facilitate cultural exchanges and artistic collaborations. Without her expertise and patience, events like these would not happen."

"To get as far as it has, L.A. Theater Works relied on Ms. Friedman, whose company, Ping Pong Productions, specializes in taking international performing arts to China and Chinese troupes to the West. After nearly a decade living and working here, she has learned how to navigate a maze of permits and egos, when to massage cultural bureaucrats and, perhaps most important, whom to call when roadblocks suddenly appear."

"Alison Friedman is a consummate professional and knows how to work in China better than anyone. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater toured China twice in recent years and enthusiastically engaged Ms. Friedman for each tour. She helped us with all aspects of our tour, logistics, translation, and much more."

"For Ping Pong Productions, the impossible seems effortless and every project becomes an artful collaboration. Their combination of integrity, experience and skills make them a formidable team of natural leaders and ideal colleagues for any China arts endeavor. I remember our projects of bringing American tap dancers to China and Chinese tap dancers to the US with great joy and look forward to future opportunities to work together."

Alison Friedman, aside from being an incredibly energetic, positive and knowledgeable person, knows the Chinese cultural community and its complexities thoroughly. Since meeting her in 2007, she has provided me with deep insight and expertise into countless Chinese arts organizations, leading to an unforgettable Harris Theater presentation of Beijing Dance Theater's Wild Grass. Her skills continue to drive the possibility of future performances with the Leshan Dance Company, Shanghai Peking Opera Company and many others. She is an outstanding colleague, extraordinary collaborator and her expertise in navigating the Chinese cultural community is unmatched. If you want to really learn and understand the nuances of the current cultural scene in China, she is a go-to resource of the highest order.

"I don’t know if you recognize this uncle – a handsome youth back in the day from that movie! Actually, he prefers to be remembered for the work he's done for the stage, from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” a couple of years ago here in China to his recent “Harlequino: Onto Freedom”. As someone who lacks an artist’s genes, I started as a silly fan who follows him to theatres despite not understanding a single line in the performance. Now, I can understand the nuances behind the lines of each of the 13 characters. The lines have piqued my brain: What is freedom? Why do some characters not follow their script? The after-show talk shed a light on the logistics behind the stage, including how the cast worked with American prisons and incorporated related personnel into the performance. What important work! Some people got the hugs they wanted, and some mentioned the recent Presidential election, and that they will continue to fight for inclusion and create a better world. I’ve had a wonderful experience listening to the after-show talk. Thanks to my friend for introducing me to this event, and thanks to Ping Pong for bringing such an amazing cast and production to us!"