BD Wong to deliver Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address

The award-winning actor will deliver the address titled "Change, Hope and Equality for Asian Americans," at 6 p.m. in Alumni Gym.

Award-winning actor BD Wong will deliver the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address on Tuesday, Jan. 11, as part of Elon’s annual events held to honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The event begins at 6 p.m. in Alumni Gym.

BD Wong

The title of Wong’s address is “Change, Hope and Equality for Asian Americans.”

Appearing on screens big and small during the past 20 years, Wong has shown why he is one of the country’s most versatile performers, appearing in hits including “Law & Order: SVU,” “Oz,” “Mr. Robot,” “Gotham,” “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World.”

His Broadway debut in “M. Butterfly” earned him a Tony Award, an Outer Critic’s Circle Award, a Theatre World Award, a Clarence Derwent Award and a Drama Desk Award as he became the only actor to ever win all five major New York theater awards for a single role.

Wong has appeared in more than 20 films, including notable roles in both “Father of the Bride” movies, “Seven Years in Tibet,” Disney’s “Mulan” and the HBO adaptation of “The Normal Heart.” He has starred in the widely celebrated revival of the musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Pacific Overtures.”

Wong has spoken out about his experiences with rejection, typecasting and racism in the entertainment industry and has been praised for addressing issues including racial self-image, Asian-American parental pressure and the “model-minority myth.” In his memoir, “Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man,” Wong recounted the highs and lows that he and his former partner endured on the road to parenthood.

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. For ticket information, call (336) 278-5610 or visit elon.universitytickets.com.