5 Questions With Ka-Ling Cheung
Nov 7, 2017
Ka-Ling appeared in the Broadway tour of War Horse, the national tour of The King and I with Stephanie Powers, and internationally in Wild Swans at Young Vic in the U.K. Regional credits include American Conservatory Theater, American Repertory Theater, Long Wharf Theatre, Pittsburgh Public, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theater, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Weston Playhouse and LA Women’s Shakespeare Company. Television credits include Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Limitless, Elementary and HBO‘s Crashing. Ka-Ling is a proud volunteer with the 52nd St. Project.
1. How long have you been acting, and where did you receive your training?
I started in high school, but professionally since after graduate school. I got my BA in Drama with honors in Musical Theater from University of California, Irvine. I got my MFA from the American Conservatory Theater.
2. When did you know you wanted to be an actor, and what’s your favorite part of the job?
I knew when I was in college. But it was confirmed when I went on the New York satellite program at UC Irvine. It's a one-month intensive in New York where you take classes from people in the business. My favorite part of the job is when I get hired! Actually, it's the rehearsal process.
3. What is your all-time favorite role you’ve performed, and why?
There are so many. I loved my time as Shakespeare's Juliet, Desdemona and Hermia. I was also surprised by how much I loved being Ginny from Smart People. And Marcy Parks from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
4. What role have you been dying to play, and why?
There are three, actually. Nora from A Doll's House, Stella from A Streetcar Named Desire and Lady Macbeth. I think I can bring a different perspective. Also, wouldn't it nice to see those roles done by a person of color?
5. What has been the most interesting part of working on Curious Incident so far?
The process. It's a play that rehearses like a musical. Marcia and Michael are terrific to work with and to learn from.
To learn more about the Playhouse's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, visit our production detail page.
1. How long have you been acting, and where did you receive your training?
I started in high school, but professionally since after graduate school. I got my BA in Drama with honors in Musical Theater from University of California, Irvine. I got my MFA from the American Conservatory Theater.
2. When did you know you wanted to be an actor, and what’s your favorite part of the job?
I knew when I was in college. But it was confirmed when I went on the New York satellite program at UC Irvine. It's a one-month intensive in New York where you take classes from people in the business. My favorite part of the job is when I get hired! Actually, it's the rehearsal process.
Kevin Cutts, Ka-Ling Cheung, Nick LaMedica and Laiona Michelle in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
3. What is your all-time favorite role you’ve performed, and why?
There are so many. I loved my time as Shakespeare's Juliet, Desdemona and Hermia. I was also surprised by how much I loved being Ginny from Smart People. And Marcy Parks from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
4. What role have you been dying to play, and why?
There are three, actually. Nora from A Doll's House, Stella from A Streetcar Named Desire and Lady Macbeth. I think I can bring a different perspective. Also, wouldn't it nice to see those roles done by a person of color?
The cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
5. What has been the most interesting part of working on Curious Incident so far?
The process. It's a play that rehearses like a musical. Marcia and Michael are terrific to work with and to learn from.
To learn more about the Playhouse's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, visit our production detail page.