Meet Yi-Hsuan (Ant) Ma | Visual artist and educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yi-Hsuan (Ant) Ma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yi-Hsuan (Ant), Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The main value matters to me, is to care about real people and share story that connects to community and reflect what people struggle/ and truly feelings.

Little bit about myself- I worked as a freelancer set designer in New York City, often for independent films and off Broadway shows where with fewer supportive resources. At the same time, being an immigrant artist in the US is never an easy thing, especially since language becomes the biggest barrier when you can’t express yourself properly. But luckily I still meet lots of talented artists and start my first teaching job this year.

As live performance storyteller, the value I want to share with my students. We teach students to tell stories through meticulous research, the disciplined practice of craft, deep dramaturgical exploration of text, unimpeded creativity, and profound respect for the cultures and identities of the stories and characters we explore.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

As a Taiwanese, I’m always sensitive about identity and care about humanity and diversity. We all try to share our beliefs and open more conversations. I wish I could be clever as a problem solver on controversial issues but also a person who is never afraid to ask questions to the world. (Also feel comfortable to leave them unsolved at the same time)

I have over 8 years of professional theater experience, including in Taiwan, Berlin, and the US. I have designed multiple forms of live performance, including new plays, classic plays, operas, musicals, dance, public events, and installations.
I try to create a space that allows the audience to open up by themselves – tangible and intangible.

Fortunately, I started my teaching career this year and continuously I design works outside of school, working with cross-disciplinary artists and learning from each other, which is a very important part of my research.
I’m eager to keep a connection with the industry and hope to share those experiences and theoretical works that come to life. To help students break down reality’s limitations and upgrade their profession through community engagement and collaboration.

I always share my story with students: please don’t be afraid to find a way to face challenges, even if you do not “overcome” them; you will get to know yourself better during the whole process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Those are some off Broadway house I always check in. New York Theater Workshop
Public Theater
Park Avenue Armory
BAM
Signature Theater
Playwrights Horizons

And if you like creative new works, don’t miss below theaters!
La Mama
Soho Rep
The Tank
Ensemble Studio Theatre
ART/NY
Here Art
Theater Row

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I appreciate there are more and more websites that specifically shoutout BIPOC designers. https://www.bipocarts.com/about.html#/

Design Action
https://www.design-action.com/about-us

Website: https://www.ant-setdesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ant_horsema/

Image Credits
The Great Divide by Amy Crossman, Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum / The Slow Dance by Lisi DeHaas, Photo by Richard Termine / The Chinese Lady by Lloyd Suh, Photo by Giada Sun