Joan Almedilla is an actress based in NYC. After competing on Amateur Nights at The Apollo, an executive producer scouted her and brought her aboard her first professional contract. Now, Almedilla’s starred on Broadway as Kim inMiss Saigon, Lady Thiang on the first National Tour ofThe King and I, and the first Asian Fantine on theLes MisNational Tour, and co-starred in Peacock’sBupkis, Netflix’sGriselda, Hulu’sPam & Tommy, and FX’sMayans, However, her favorite role to date is that of mother to her son, CJ (who also performed with her onThe King and Itour for two years in America and Canada)! Offstage, she’s a huge supporter of Honolulu Broadway Babies (organized by her friend Kristian Lei), “whose mission is to provide continuing education to individuals with disabilities after high school through the arts. Almedilla’s advice to young artists? “Understand yourself first before you try to understand other people… work more, talk less.” Read on to learn more about Joan Almedilla and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Manna Nichols-Wong is an actress based in NYC. She fell into the industry thanks to (positive) peer pressure from friends to overcome her shyness. After shifting from biology/premed major to music education, she’s gone on to perform in the Lincoln Center’s First National Tour ofThe King & I(Tuptim), Arena Stage’sMy Fair Lady(Eliza Doolittle), as a vocalist for Disney’s live actionBeauty & the Beast, and is currently working in City Center Encores’Dear World(Ens. and Nina u/s)! As a multiracial artist, Nichols-Wong continues to challenge the way the industry perceives performers like her and contributes to change with her onstage presence. Her advice to young artists? “Get as much experience as you can, anywhere that you can… do whatever makes you happy – even if it doesn’t seem popular.” Read on to learn more about Manna Nichols-Wong and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
DeAnna is an actress based in New York City. Her artistic career began at the age of 7 covering songs from The Little Mermaid in her laundry room, and led her to take on principal roles in high school. After studying at the Berklee College of Music, she went on to join the national tour of The King and I as Lady Thiang and become a featured Soprano Soloist in the Carnegie Hall premiere of Christopher Tin’s Calling All Dawns. Currently, Choi is working on The Emperor’s Nightingale off-Broadway, and is working on a Christmas EP for 2022 with two concerts in London and in Madagascar lined up! She also makes time giving back to her community with the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (a non-profit with a mission to provide performing opportunities to diverse actors. Her advice to young artists? “Seek out opportunities to perform live, as this will be your best training ground to put your tools to the test.” Read on to learn more about DeAnna Choi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Riza Takahashi is a performer based in New York City! Her passion for musical theatre emerged at the age of 4 when her mother enrolled her in a studio in Japan. Her resume now includes some of the most iconic shows in history from her time in regional theatre, including Mamma Mia!, How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying, Spelling Bee, The King and I, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, and more! In addition to this, Takahashi made her Broadway debut as an original cast member for Mean Girlson Broadway! Offstage, she fly fishes (a skill she picked up in quarantine!), teaches private lessons and workshops on a platform called “Broadway to Japan,” and founded Celebrate Asian Joy, “an organization committed to support and celebrate AAPI theater artists, filmmakers, and musicians to tell their stories through arts” that just released a new music video, “I Choose Joy!” Her advice to young artists? “Don’t be afraid to be who you are! You are already enough.”Read on to learn more about Riza Takahashi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Kelli Youngman is a performer and life coach based in New York City. After getting her start in dance from a mommy-and-me class as a child, she grew up to attend Fordham University and The Ailey School. The many paths in front of her made her consider alternatives -- but within 6 months of deciding to commit to her dream of being on Broadway, Youngman booked her first Broadway show! Her credits include ANASTASIA and THE KING AND I (including the First National Tour) on Broadway, NEWSIES at Arena Stage, and THE FLAMINGO KID, as well as becoming a life coach for her company, Kelli Youngman Wellness! Her advice to young artists? “Trust yourself and what you have to offer to the world. You are valuable and needed just as you are.” Read on to learn more about Kelli and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Erica Wong was almost a civil engineer before dance called her to NYC! Now based in Union City, she got her start with a ballet company before a beauty pageant video submission booked her In Your Arms with renowned choreographer Christopher Gattelli. From that moment on, Wong knew theatre was her home. The King & I marked her Broadway debut, and since then, she’s worked on projects such as Jerome Robbins’ Broadway at The Muny and M. Butterfly, and now performs in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway! She is currently hosting an intermediate ballet barre on Zoom to aid a GoFundMe benefitting the AAPI Community Fund, and hopes to begin exploring film and television opportunities in the near future. Wong advises young artists to “always be open to learning -- not just about [their] craft, but about the world and beyond,” and to practice care of one’s “mind, body, soul, and finances.” Read on to learn more about Erica Wong and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Stephanie Mieko Cohen is an actress and singer based in New York City! She made her Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Miserables, a role she also performed on the national tour! Stephanie also enjoys workshopping new works, having performed in the premiere of the musical Solana by Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid! Having struggled with Trichotillomania since the age of twelve, Stephanie started an Instagram account called @Stephcoandherhats highlighting her journey and dedicated to mental health awareness. Read on to learn more about Stephanie and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Ali Ewoldt is a singer and actress based in New York City! She was the first Asian American and BIPOC actress to star in the role of Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway...