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!
Madeline Kendall is a performer based in New Jersey - though she calls the road home as she travels with the national tour of Broadway’sAnastasia! As someone that grew up in a musical household, she was inspired to begin dancing and competitive gymnastics before the age of 6. However, it wasn’t until 7th grade during an audition forPippinthat Kendall decided to drop her initial career path as an orthodontist and pursue performance professionally! After graduating from Wagner College during the pandemic, she tours the nation as both the Anya understudy and ensemble of Anastasia, and has performed in shows such as Miss Saigon, Our Town, and Somebody in Everybody! Her advice to young artists? “Stay true to who you are! Don’t compare yourself to other people. You have something to offer, not something to prove!” Read on to learn more about Madeline Kendall and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Grace Yoo is an actress (and Aries!) based in New York City. She went from putting on productions in her living room as a child to gracing the stages of the Hollywood Bowl (Into the Woods) and Broadway’s Walter Kerr theatre (Hadestown)! Her favorite credits also includeA Christmas Carolat the Ahmanson (which unfortunately didn’t reach Christmastime due to Covid), Sophie Sheridan inMamma Miaat East West Players, and Kei Kimura inAllegianceat SpeakEasy Stage. Offstage, she’s a certified barista and has completed a Master Chef course. She advises young artists to do their research on the business aspect of performing, and to get a head start on creating their Roth IRAs! After all, “starting up any business will always cost a lot of money, and a career in the arts is certainly not exempt from that!” Read on to learn more about Grace Yoo and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Yuka Tadano is a jazz artist based in NYC! Growing up in a musical family, she picked up the violin at the age of 6 and played duets with her twin sister. After rediscovering her love for music through the electric bass in high school, she went on to pursue music professionally and studied at the University of North Texas. Now, her resume boasts credits such asSmokey Joe's CafeRevival at Stage 42,The Lightning Thiefon Broadway, andTony and The Kiki, and has played Shanghai Concert Hall with her band (YT little d). She’s now involved withSuffs, a new show to be produced at The Public theatre! Her biggest takeaway as an artist? Knowing one’s limits to avoid burnout, and to “work hard, [and] treat yourself lovely.” Tadano advises young artists to research and network with the people they admire by “[seeing] their shows… [introducing] themselves… [asking] them to meet for coffee… [and asking] specific questions.” Read on to learn more about what makes Yuka Tadano an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Rikki Lee is a rock guitarist based in London! With an “unfair advantage” of being born into a musical family, she picked up music at a young age. After graduating from the University of Westminster, she went on to perform on iTV’s Game of Talents, Later with Jools Holland with Priya Ragu, and Hillsong Carols at the Wembley Arena! Now, Lee is currently a permanent touring band member for Priya Ragu and Martin Smith, and a musical content creator on both YouTube and Instagram. Her biggest piece of advice to young artists? “Get used to showing your work to others on social media.” Read on to learn more about Rikki Lee and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Momoko Sugai is a performer (and Pisces!) based in Pasadena. At the age of 5, she developed her lifelong love of dance through tap classes in Japan, and her commitment to theatre through a production ofAnnieat 11 years old! She went on to graduate from Fullerton College and acquire impressive credits such asAllegianceon Broadway andMamma Mia!at the La Mirada Theater! Her favorite part of the industry? Traveling and meeting new people – be it through living in a cast house with seasoned industry professionals or performing on a cruise ship and waking up in incredible new locales each day! She advises young artists to keep in mind that everyone’s needs are different, which makes their needs as creatives different, to trust themselves and their process, and above all, to “keep doing what [they] love!” Read on to learn more about Momoko Sugai and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
