Special interview with, amazing actor/dancer Mayu Cho
How she became a Japanese icon expressing her unique talent.
It’s pretty difficult to be successful in a foreign country. Let’s ask Mayu how she accomplished that in this competitive industry.
Mayu Cho is a Los Angeles based actor and dancer specializing in Japanese Traditional Dancing.
From her pre-teen years, she was into musicals, and started to learn singing, dancing and acting.
She won first prize during an audition workshop in Los Angeles. Mayu starred in a short film Gentle Harmony, and has been working for numerous films, TV and Theater productions.
You have been working with so many people from all over the world such as in UK and in the USA. As a Japanese performer artist, did you have any awareness?
There are so many traditional culture in Japan, such as Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, Bunraku, Japanese dancing and so forth. My five senses are always be filled with content whenever I appreciate these beautiful historical culture. The oldest theatre theory book in the world is “Fushikaden” written by Zeami.
Japanese DNA has something that can truly enjoy performing arts and express ourselves with very unique sense, called “wabi sabi”.
When I was in London England, I constantly went to see West End shows.
They have Shakespeare, and obviously there are so many talented theatre actors.
Like Broadway in NYC, Hollywood in Los Angeles, each city has its characteristics.
At the same time, I realized it is amazing to express our own unique talent no matter where you are.
Did you have any culture shock? What was the difficulty you encountered living in a different country?
I was born and raised in Japan, but my mom is originally from Hong Kong, and my relatives live in so many different countries. I was fortunate to grow up this international environment, but of course I had to go through language barriers. My first foreign country I lived was UK, so I have more British accent, but I am working on American accent as well. There are so many people from completely different backgrounds in Los Angeles, so I feel I am free and am welcomed.
You have played a role of Juror11 on theatre production 12 Angry Men. This event had been introduced by so many major media such as LA Times, Playbill, Broadway world. This character Juror11 is usually played by European actors. How was your experience? Did you have any difficult moment?
This piece was written in classical English so I had to work harder to learn traditional English lines. Juror11 says in a play that she was not allowed to say anything against Government. And that is why I moved to the United States.
Also there is a scene which she is hurt by racist comments and cry. I overlapped with my own experience, so it was very interesting.
After the show, so many audiences gave me warm compliments and someone told me “Your acting was fantastic. I am so grateful that Asian actor played this part.
So proud of you, thank you so much.”
To me, Japanese traditional dancing can express inner beauty in a sensitive way. Recently I collaborated with a sake brand Hakutsuru for their new product “Chika Sake Cup” and did a performance. I celebrate myself by performing Japanese traditional spirits. There is a misunderstanding that girls who wear kimono are always geisha. As a storyteller, I will keep telling my unique story and spread beautiful Japanese traditional culture.
Thank you so much Mayu! We look forward to your success in the USA!
Website: www.mayucho.org
Instagram @mayu.cho23
