Dorcas Leung is a left-handed actress based in New York City! She got her start singing at church and in choir, but it wasn’t until following a crush led her to audition for her first musical in middle school. Since then, she’s gone on to perform in Broadway’sMiss Saigon(Gigi Van Tranh), Off-Broadway’sMidsummer(Dou Yi in Snow), the first National Tour ofHamilton(Eliza, Angelica, Peggy/Maria), andThe Tale of Despereaux(Despereaux) andLes Misérables(Cosette) regionally. She loves being able to challenge the narrative of what Asian artists “should” be, and hopes to not only continue representing her community in those roles, but to see others do the same. Leung advises young artists to “be curious, have a learning spirit, and truly enjoy [themselves]” – and of course, to have fun!Read on to learn more about Dorcas Leung and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Kendyl Ito is an actress based in Queens! After her first exposure to theatre at the age of five and performing in her first show at 8, Ito decided to pursue entertainment professionally. Inspired by “making weird art,” she’s since appeared in projects such as Soft Power, Wild Goose Dreams, Half the Sky,and the limited-engagement tour of Broadway’s Waitress as Dawn! As an AAPI woman, she navigates working in an industry “not designed for [her] voice to be heard” and uncovering acceptance within her workplace and herself. Her three pieces of advice for young artists? “See everything and anything you can… don’t be afraid to ask questions… [and] trust your gut.” Read on to learn more about Kendyl Ito and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Rebecca Kwan is an actor from Toronto currently on the move from city to city! She got her start writing and performing her own skits at home, but didn’t initially pursue entertainment in school. After her third year studying fashion design at the Toronto Metropolitan University, Kwan took a trip home and realized her true career was in performance. Now in shows likeSkyMed, she’s also begun development for a new film under her own production company, SeeYun Entertainment! Kwan’s advice to young artists? “...Follow the fun. Follow the joy and the process of understanding how much the love for the craft, and what you do needs to be there because of how tough all of this is sometimes.” Read on to learn more about Rebecca Kwan and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Haven Everly is a performer based in Los Angeles. Raised by professional singers, she formed a girl-group at the age of 5 with her sisters, and went on to perform as the lead The Girl Who Left Home, “a Fil-Am musical feature film… [highlighting] singing, family, culture, and acceptance.” and at The Sugar Bar in NYC (with Dr. Maya Angelou in attendance!) Everly finds that having a good understanding of the inner workings of the industry and to find a balance between work and personal life helped her really understand her craft. Her advice to young artists? “Be patient. You’re enough.” Read on to learn more about Haven Everly and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Joy Ngiaw is a composer inspired by human connection based in Los Angeles. She began learning classical piano at 6 and found a love for composing after joining her school’s orchestra. After attending Berklee College of Music, she went on to score shows such as Blush (Apple TV+), Rescued by Ruby (Netflix), and Disney Short Circuit S1EP10: Jing Hua (Disney+), with the first season of an upcoming animated television series as her latest project! Ngiaw’s artistic goal is to work on projects that celebrate diversity and showcase the beauty of different cultures. When offstage, she’s a firm believer in self-care and engages in early morning practices such as journaling, meditation, and walks. Her advice to young artists? “Be kind, be curious, and be 100% authentically yourself.” Read on to learn more about Joy Ngiaw and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters is a performer, playwright, and educator based in Philadelphia. After attending Bucknell University with an Arts Merit Scholarship for acting, she studied at the London Dramatic Academy and CAP21 Musical Theatre in NYC and went on to perform in shows such as Miss Saigon, King and I, and Avenue Q – but after “[getting] tired of playing a white man’s version of Asian,” she began writing shows for herself and her community to amplify AAPI experiences and perspectives! Her favorite credits include Today Is My Birthday at Theatre Exile, Man of God at InterAct Theatre Company, and Acetone Wishes and Plexiglass Dreams,Philadelphia Theatre Company. As an inaugural playwright at Boise Contemporary Theatre’s BIPOC Playwrights Festival, Walters also recently workshopped her original play, Half of Chopsticks. When she’s not onstage, Walters is a preschool teacher on-track to become an undergrad instructor and a founding member of the Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists. Walters’ advice to young artists? “Find the people who understand and support your work but also challenge you to push through when things feel tough… if you love being an artist, don’t give up.” Read on to learn more about Stephanie Walters and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Julia Cho is a performer, producer, and casting director based in Los Angeles. Finding a love for arts at a young age, she went on to double major in Rhetoric and Theater and Dance & Performance Studies at UC Berkeley and founded Artists at Play, a theatre-producing collective “that explores the Asian American experience” and provides both a platform and resources for artists in the Los Angeles community. Her recent credits include dubbing a leading role in a new Korean show on Disney+, the world premiere of Carla Ching's The Two Kids That Blow Shit Up, and guest starring on The Resident! As a creative that forged her own way without connections, Cho advises young artists against “[falling] victim to the notion that there are any ‘rules’ or a set ‘how to’ when it comes to a career in the arts,” and encourages them to find their own definition of success as they continue to learn and grow. Read on to learn more about Juila Cho and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Faye Chiao is a composer, singer, and actor based in NYC. As a child, the vision of creating her own original music was always clear – and after studying her craft thoroughly at Peabody Institute, she brought her work to life! Her recent work includes Fountain of You with Marin Mazzie, Baba Yaga and the Firebird, and Upstream, in addition to writing music for the short film Delusione,writing the family opera Katie: Strongest of the Strong,and To See the Stars, a multi-media chamber piece. When she’s not creating, she supports her community through music-oriented organizations such as Maestra, Musicians United for Social Equity, Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists. Chiao advises young artists to “make sure [they] take the time to tune into [their heads and hearts].”Read on to learn more about Faye Chiao and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Julia Riew is a Musical theater composer-lyricist, librettist, and songwriter based in New York City. Finding a love for the Arts on her elementary school playground, her interest in composing and songwriting led to writing her first musicals at just 15! Recently graduation fromHarvard, Riew became the 2021 inaugural recipient for the Musicians United for Social Equity Linda Twine Scholarship and the winner of the Mia and David Alpert Harvardwood Artist Launch Fellowship. She’s also collaborated withArielle Jovellanos on a musical graphic novel, and worked on an AAPI-led Legally Blonde at Harvard – but you might know her best for Shimcheong: A Folktale, a musical inspired by the tale of Shimcheongjeon and the music of Disney! Riew’s advice to young artists?“Put yourself out there and indulge in your imagination's wildest dreams – don’t be afraid to showcase your work and tell your story!” Read on to learn more about Julia Riew and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Sujata Day is an actor, writer, director, and producer based in L.A. Starting her career with talent shows as a child (for 25 cents a ticket), Day went on to star in four seasons of HBO’s Insecure and as CeCe in Issa Rae’sThe Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, directThis Is My Storynarrated by LeVar Burton, and have her own works such asDefinition Pleaseavailable for streaming on Netflix – however, she believes her greatest accomplishment to be “making the perfect cup of chai,” a part of her daily routine! Day also supports Black Girls Code, an organization “providing technology education” and instilling a love of STEM in young Black girls. Day advises young artists to “[not] set a time limit on [their] dreams.”Read on to learn more aboutSujata Dayand what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Irishrose Cinderella P. Mayois a performer based in Quezon City with an impressive resume – most notably as a performer for Disney Cruise Line, Mondays in the Club, the National Asian Artist Project - Broadway Chorus, Philippine Education Theatre Association’s Mobile Tour, andDear Asian Girls: Just Be You!With a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of the Philippines and a Musical Theatre Certificate Course at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, Mayo loves storytelling through art across all disciplines, and hopes to share the magic of performance with those around her.Mayo also supports the The National Asian Artist Project, a community for Asian-American Artists founded by Baayork Lee, where she performed in the Broadway chorus. Her advice to young artists? “Embrace what comes your way! Take risks!”Read on to learn more aboutIrishrose Cinderella P. Mayoand what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Sheng-Ching Hsu is a violinist based in L.A. Finding a love for music from her parents, she was encouraged to follow the Arts and took up piano and violin lessons. Now, she is bringing her music all over the world! Hsu’s path didn’t come without obstacles. After 4 of her fingertips experienced nerve damage, she was forced to re-learn her craft – and with the shutdowns caused by the pandemic, lost her ability to express herself. She rediscovered her passion through a series of live shows called S-C Sidewalk Performances, and got back on track to giving back through art! Hsu advises young artists to “stay positive and grateful, don’t forget to treat yourself with a piece of chocolate or any kind of comfort food once in a while!” Read on to learn more about Sheng-Ching Hsu and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Shannon Tyo is a performer based in New York City. Initially on-track to become a professional soccer player, a series of sports injuries became the deciding factor to pursue theatre at Syracuse University instead. Now, Tyo is a Lucille Lortel nominee in the category of “Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play” in the revival of The Chinese Lady at the Public Theatre! In her career, she’s found that collaboration and behind-the-table involvement have benefitted her most – collaboration allowing for expression of ideas in a room full of creatives, and acting as a reader opposite others in audition settings to help better her own audition technique. Offstage, Tyo serves as a member of Also-Known-As, an organization for adult international adoptees. As an adult transracial/transnational adoptee herself, the connections provided through them have both given her strength and put her in a position to build community with others. Her advice for young artists? “Other people’s successes are not your failures. You can root for other people while also rooting for yourself. Community makes this career path warmer. Read on to learn more about Shanon Tyo and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Amanda L. Andrei is a playwright based in Los Angeles. She got her start in the Arts in many ways – through playing the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet in high school, producing her first play at the DC Capital Fringe Festival, graduating through the pandemic from her MFA program, to name a few! Her work includes Black Sky, HECUBA and Helicopter Typhoon Carabo! To Survive and Apocalypse Now, and she’s currently adapting a Spanish Golden Age play for UCLA and Playwrights Arena! Andrei loves creating opportunities for actors that don’t often see their cultural or ethnic background in her industry, and enjoys researching and observing in preparation to write. Aside from the arts, she’s involved with the Liyang Network, an organization that centers around “human and environmental rights, placing a special focus on the Luman people,” as it enables her to give back to her community as a Filpina diasporan. Her advice to young artists? “Have multiple streams of income that don’t necessarily overlap with [their] artistic practice” – and of course, to trust their process. Read on to learn more about Amanda and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Veronica Dang is a performer and comedian based in New York City! After getting laid off from a job in research science, she took up background work to support herself, and was reminded of her performing dreams – which prompted her to pursue acting and comedy professionally. Since then, she’s appeared inLaw & Order: SVU,AMidsummer Night's Dreamas Helena in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s gardens, Harper's Ferry 2019, performed as a stunt double, and created bothSubway: The SeriesandModel Majority, an all AAPI sketch comedy team. Currently, she’s working on performing at Harper's Ferry 2019 at The Know Theatre of Cincinnati March 4-20, Toronto Sketchfest March 24, World Comedy Expo March 25 and theModel MajorityAnnual AAPI Heritage Month Show. Dang advises young artists to “[not] let people make [them] give up [their] dreams” and to “have fun whenever possible.” Read on to learn more about Veronica Dang and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
