Filmmaker Jason Chao and actor Anna Lin share their unique experiences in the theater community. They discuss their roles in 'The Chinese Lady' by Lloyd Suh, and how the play's narratives mirror their own realities in terms of shared and diverse experiences, and the feeling of being 'outsiders'. Anna talks about her journey in comedy and improvisation, which helped her break free from feeling stifled and unexpressive, while Jason shares his perspective on the invisibility of Asian American men in the western cultural landscape. Both discuss how their cultural backgrounds, identities, and experiences have influenced their character development and understanding of their roles.
Photograph - David Mandel Photograpy
Music From Artlist
ORKAS - You Know What You Want
Yarin Primak - Driving on the Moon
00:06 Introduction
01:00 The Beauty of the Story and the Characters
02:20 The Challenges and Joys of Rehearsals
03:36 The Diversity of Asian American Experiences
04:11 The Role of the Actor in the Play
04:46 The Personal Connection to the Characters
07:43 The Fear of Pessimism and Pragmatism
07:47 The Struggle of Being an Asian American
16:47 The Power of Comedy and Self-Expression
21:17 The Journey of Building the Character
22:26 Conclusion: The Magic of the Script and the Performers
ANNA LIN and JASON CHAO