Our Story

Vermilion was named after the mythological vermilion bird from Chinese folklores, a symbol of rebirth and resilience. Tearing its way through the COVID-19 pandemic, Vermilion first landed at Yale University. With the support of Yale McDougal Graduate Student Center and Yale-China, Yale Vermilion Theater was co-founded by Yale affiliates and community members. Thereafter, Yale Vermilion Theater has produced multiple productions, touring Flushing NY and Boston MA, drawing a broad audience from the east coast.

During the Boston tour in 2022, Vermilion has received much love and support from the local theater community. With co-founder Yuning Su and local founding team members taking the lead, Vermilion Theater INC officially incorporated as a separate entity - a Massachusetts-registered, 501(c)3 not-for-profit theater company.

Founding Executive Team, Yale Vermilion

Zhimeng Li (she/her)

Zhimeng Li (she/her) is a PhD student in social psychology. Before Vermilion, she received her thespian enlightenment from Cornell Chinese Drama Society (JingYuan, 2017-2021). She was involved in multiple productions including The President’s Invitation (Mrs. Shi), To Live (Assistant Director), Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land (Blossom), No Exit (Director), Red Rose White Rose (Co-producer), and Blossom Shanghai (Lili). @goooooodlee_

Co-founders

Yuhan Zhang (she/her)

Yuhan Zhang (she/her) began her career in the performing arts industry at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in her hometown of Beijing. She earned an MBA/MFA joint degree from Yale’s School of Management and School of Drama in 2022. Currently based in Boston, Yuhan works as a nonprofit management consultant, serving organizations in arts and culture, education, social services, and philanthropy. She is also honored to serve as a Board member of the Boston Ballet Volunteer Association.

Allen Jin (he/they)

Allen Jin (he/they) is a founding member of Vermilion Theater. In a previous life, he was a member of Ann Arbor-based Thus Spoke Ann Arbor. Past productions: Angels in America: Millenium Approaches, Eighteen Springs, Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land, Love Letters. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Yuning Su (He/Him)

Yuning Su (he/ him) is the artistic director of Vermilion theater. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in China and is now based in Boston. He has a career in both theater and film directing. His work in the past years includes plays such as Mr. Donkey, Sorrow of Comedy, Das Kapital, and Secret Love In Peach Blossom Land. ins: @s.yuning

Wisteria Deng (She/Her)

Wisteria (she/her) is the associate artistic director of Vermilion Theater, and a Clinical Psychology PhD Candidate at Yale University. Specialized in trauma-informed care, she serves as a therapist at the Yale Gender Program and Yale Psycho-oncology/Palliative Care. She carries fond memories of the Singapore rain (The Theatre Practice, 2013-2015), the Ann Arbor snow (Thus Spoke Ann Arbor, 2016-2018), the Boston potholes (Wuming Drama Club, 2019-2021) in founding Yale Vermilion Theater (2021 to Present) and Vermilion Theater INC. Ins: @wisteria__