1. Name, Birthplace, age:
Marsha Yuan, Los Angeles, CA
2. How does where you were raised affect your work?
I think that growing up more westernised has affected my work tremendously in
good and bad ways. Growing up as an ABC, I never wanted to learn Chinese.
It’s one of my biggest regrets as a child to not have learned how to read and write Chinese.
I think because of this point, it automatically categorises me into the “Gwai Mui” category
in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. That means there are fewer jobs for meas an
actress.
The good thing is that my English is amazing :P
So, that aspect has helped me land English speaking roles.
I studied musical theatre in New York which has equipped me in singing, dancing and
acting. This has proven to be an advantage in the past by getting jobs.
3. Where did you train?
I trained musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.
4. What is your favourite style of theatre? Why?
I love musical theatre because that’s what I studied and I love to sing and dance.
The first time I watched, “Les Mis”, the songs gave me goosebumps and made me cry.
It made me so emotional, that I promised myself one day I would be on the stage,
giving the audience the same feeling that I had watching.
5. What was the best show you EVER saw?
The best show? That’s a tough one. I’ve seen so many that have been amazing.
“Les Mis” was the turning point show that made me want to pursue musical theatre.
But, I also love “Miss Saigon”, “Jekyll and Hyde”, “Chicago”, and “Cabaret”.
There’s just too many to pinpoint one.
The last show I saw in London was great too “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie”.
6. What was the best show in HK you EVER saw?
I remember watching a show called “Burn the Floor” in Hong Kong.
I loved it so much, I had to watch it twice!!!
7. What piece of work are you the proudest?
The proudest piece of work was a short film that I shot in New Zealand called “Do No Harm”.
This short film received a lot of recognition in different festivals around the world
and even got me a nomination for “best actress”.
It’s now available to view on Vimeo
here.
8. What is your process like?
My process? It would be to understand the character first. Talk through her background
with the director and try to understand her emotions in the script. Then, of course, the lines
need to be completely memorised in order to really grasp their delivery.
I like to know my lines so well that they just come out naturally without thinking.
Tthat way I can focus on the emotions rather than try to remember the lines.
9. What is your dream project?
My dream project would a lead role in a musical on Broadway or the West End.
And, if that’s too vague…
Another dream project is to star in the full-length version of that short film I shot.
10. What do you think about the arts and theatre scene in Hong Kong?
I think that the theatre scene is still growing.
I’m discovering more and more people are interested in it and there are more and more
talented people out there. It’s nice to know that Hong Kong has a community
for theatre. It’s still quite small but hopefully, it will only continue to grow.
Catch Marsha in action in Hong Kong Love Stories. For more information, click here.
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