Asian Actors & Thespians
Asian Actors & Thespians
A podcast featuring API actors and drama artists, in which we chronicle their artistic journeys and discuss important issues impacting the API community. Hosted by New York City-based actor, Chase Lee.
Employing all of your talents as an artist (ft. Carla Ching)
Contrary to popular belief, being a “jack of all trades” can be a good thing, especially if you’re an artist! Legendary playwright/screenwriter Carla Ching joins me on the show to talk about how her various talents have helped her during her career.
Finding your style as a filmmaker (ft. Emily May Jampel)
Many of the great filmmakers of our time have a distinct style that audiences can readily identify. So how does one begin to develop their own style and artistic voice? Writer/director of “Lucky Fish” Emily May Jampel joins me to share her thoughts.
The power of collaboration in filmmaking (ft. Kathy Meng)
Teamwork makes the dream work! From basketball teams, to church choirs, to film crews, the key to success is seamless collaboration. New York filmmaker Kathy Meng stops by the show to talk about how collaboration helps her solve problems on set.
How to accelerate your acting career (ft. Simon Shih)
Are you feeling stuck in your acting career? Wondering how to accelerate your career and move forward? Actor Simon Shih joins me on the show to talk about how he’s managed to consistently book work in just one year of professional acting.
How to balance acting and filmmaking (ft. Anna Mikami)
Is it better to be a one-trick pony or to try one’s hand at becoming a master of multiple disciplines? Actor/filmmaker Anna Mikami joins me on the show to discuss how she balances both.
How to get cast as a non-binary actor (ft. Josephine Chiang)
As actors, we know that having a “type” is a great strength. But for genderqueer/non-binary actors, the casting process can provide some unique challenges. Enby actor Josephine Chiang joins me on the show to share their thoughts.
Honoring your story (ft. Mahima Saigal)
Do you have a story to tell? What’s keeping you from telling it? Fear of rejection? Fear of not being “interesting” enough? Actor/writer/director/producer, Mahima Saigal, joins me on the show to tell us how she creates work that honors her story.
Committing to a life as an artist (ft. Suzen Baraka)
Are you the main character in your own story? If not, what’s holding you back from fighting for your dreams? Emmy-winning actor/poet Suzen Baraka joins me on the show to talk about how she has committed to creating a life as an artist.
Increasing Southeast Asian representation in TV and film (ft. Justin Quizon)
Sure, “Crazy Rich Asians” was live but where are all my Filipinos at?? Filipino-American filmmaker Justin Quizon joins me on the show to discuss how to increase Filipino/Southeast-Asian representation in TV and film.
Breaking into the film industry as an AAPI filmmaker (ft. Tricia Lee)
Are you an aspiring AAPI filmmaker who wants to take off in your career? Tricia Lee joins me on the show to discuss how she started making her first films, how she developed her craft, and how she started getting work.
How to make it in Hollywood as an AAPI actor (ft. Krista Marie Yu)
Hollywood! La La Land! City where dreams go to…die. For most actors, anyway. Only a select few find a way to make it in the City of Stars. Star of Hulu’s “Reboot,” Krista Marie Yu, joins me on the show to tell us about how she did it.
What’s it like to be an influencer and an actor? ft. Christina Calcote
Part 2 of my conversation with Christina Calcote, in which we discuss the intersection of their status as a social media influencer and their artistry. We also talk about navigating this crazy world as an Asian person, K-Pop stanhood, and BTS!
Taylor Takahashi on his journey from Asian basketball star to feature film actor
Why do basketball players always make the best actors? Ray Allen, LeBron, Jordan. It’s gotta be the shoes, right? AAPI hooper-turned-film actor, Taylor Takahashi, joins me on the show to share his story.
Christina Calcote on biracial erasure in the film/theater industry
Why are there so few biracial Asian characters on stage and on screen? Why so few bisexual and genderqueer characters? Don’t they have stories to tell too? Wasian actor/influencer Christina Calcote joins me on the show to share their insights.
What is it like to be a transgender actor? ft. Pooya Mohseni
Pooya Mohseni joins me on the show to detail her remarkable journey as a woman/artist of transgender experience and share her thoughts on the women’s rights crisis in Iran.
The existential dread of becoming an actor ft. Christine Lee
Being an actor is horrifying. It’s not just overcoming the stage fright - it’s living a life of uncertainty, obstacles, and rejection. New York-based actor Christine Lee joins me on the show to share their thoughts.
What it’s like to be a plus-sized AAPI actor ft. Cori Menzies
In what ways do plus-sized actors face discrimination in the industry today? What can we do to enact change? We’ll answer these questions, and more, as I invite my friend and colleague, Cori Menzies, on the show.
Why did I choose to be an actor?
Why would anyone in their right mind choose such an impractical profession? On this inaugural episode of Asian Thespians, I introduce myself, tell my story, and talk about what got me into acting and led me down this whimsical, wonderful path.