While still in school at the University of Washington I began getting cast with local companies Northwest Asian American Theatre, ReAct and SiS Productions. Three Asian American artists in particular – Manuel Cawaling, Kathy Hsieh and David Hsieh – were instrumental in my introduction to the Seattle theatre world. After graduation, on a referral from a fellow member of a hip-hop company I was dancing with, I was cast by Steve Tomkins of the Village Theatre in Making Tracks, written by then Associate Artistic Director Brian Yorkey. Soon after, Bill Berry and David Armstrong of the 5th Avenue Theatre invited me to audition for their season and I received spots in My Fair Lady and their school touring program, Adventure Musical Theatre. The Village and 5th Avenue continued casting me in various shows in their seasons and one year Bill Berry offered me an Equity contract for The Wizard of Oz and asked if I wanted to join the union.
I performed in Seattle for six years before moving to New York, and those years, making a living as a musical theatre actor, were some of the most formative for me as a person and a performer. I got to work with and learn from nurturing, passionate artists who showed me the craft and etiquette of theatre. These directors, artistic directors, musicians, dancers, singers and actors all opened their arms and encouraged me to take risks. Without their guidance and support, whether they knew they were giving it to me or not, I would never have had the courage to pursue what I always knew I loved.
