Meet Kevin Cheng

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kevin Cheng. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kevin below.

Kevin, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by immersing myself in the New York theatre scene and staying connected to things that light me up both in work and life. As an actor and playwright living in this vibrant city, I find inspiration by attending theatre performances and development workshops of new plays created by friends and fellow artists. There is something magical about being part of a community in which new ideas are constantly being birthed and exchanged! Learning from other creatives and identifying elements that resonate with my own artistic impulses has kept my imagination fresh and curiosity abound.

I believe it’s essential to find joy in what you do for it to be sustainable. I always experience an innate excitement when I come across theatrical pieces that challenge conventional forms and remind us of our shared humanity. When choosing collaborators, I also tend to gravitate towards individuals who can bring a sense of light-heartedness and empathy to the rehearsal room, and share my passion for creating meaningful stories.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am an actor and playwright based in New York City, born and raised in Taiwan. My acting journey began when I took a scene study class in college, where I truly fell in love with this form of story-telling. For the last two years, I have been a part of professional theater and film productions across the state of New York. While initially starting my career as an actor, I am now equally invested in playwriting and developing new theater works. I am specifically interested in telling stories that highlight human connections and explore how people grope their way toward a sense of equanimity in face of unexpected life events.

My one-act play “Dear Diary” was selected to premiere at the Chain Theatre Winter One-Act Festival in February, and I had the opportunity to portray one of the lead characters alongside Elizabeth McBryde. It was such a rewarding experience to see my writing manifest on stage at a prestigious theater and seeing the impact my play had on the audience.

I also recently starred in the short silent film “CLARITIES” directed by Daniel Jaffe and Michelle Uranowitz. The film will be screened on Isabella Rossellini’s Mama Farm this summer, and I cannot wait for everyone to see it.

This April, I will star as a lead in the Taiwanese feature film “A Journey of Jack (temporary title)” written and directed by Chin-En Gau. The film follows two Taiwanese high schoolers who ventured their way to New York City in pursuit of their American dream, and are instead faced with harsh realities. The script deeply resonates with my experience as an immigrant artist, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to bring this story onto the big screen.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One of the most valuable qualities I have cultivated as an actor and playwright is the desire to excel in my own craft, and that desire originates from my love for theatre and film. Ultimately, it is less about competing with other people, but more about constantly discovering new skills to add to your arsenal. I truly believe opportunities will come when you can consistently demonstrate a high level of professionalism in all your work.

Another skill that has helped shape my career is the ability to form connections with fellow creatives. Surrounding myself with individuals I respect and forming a supportive community has significantly accelerated my growth as an artist, and led me to more performance opportunities. When I have trouble understanding a character I am playing, or experience a writer’s block, advice and feedback from my network have been crucial for taking my work to the next level.

Finally, a vital lesson I’ve learned is to not compare your journey to someone else’s. When auditioning for a role, it is easy to have a scarcity mindset, which can add unnecessary stress and hinder your performance. It is important to remind ourselves that there are many opportunities in the city, and what is meant to be ours will not pass us by. Having an abundance mindset has allowed me to take more risks in my auditions and prevent frustrations. Other people’s successes can be useful motivators so long as they do not distract you from focusing on your own growth.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

I was raised in Taiwan with my older brother Charlie. Growing up, our parents were always encouraging us to have empathy for people we meet. This quality has led me to pursue my career in performing arts, as I became fascinated in telling stories that explore the commonality of strangers and the beauty of human connections. My parents have always supported my aspirations, and for that, I am endlessly grateful for their love and trust in me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.backstage.com/ching-tse-cheng/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevbot_cheng/

Image Credits

Cover photo by Silas Emerson Harris