Meet Myka Cue | Actor, Producer & Theatremaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Myka Cue and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Myka, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
One of my favorite quotes is from a letter to Agnes de Mille from Martha Graham: “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique… It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable it is nor how it compares with other expressions… It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.” Remembering this quote has oftentimes helped me silence the little inner critic on my shoulder. It reminds me to judge less, and focus more on the joy of creating; and to have confidence in what I’m able to offer as an artist and human.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a performer for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in the Philippines, where community is at the heart of our culture. This meant that from a very early age, I was attending a lot of social gatherings where the grownups would always ask me to sing a song, or do a dance, or whatnot. I sensed how happy I made people feel when expressing myself creatively; and in return, that also brought me a lot of joy.

Then, when I was six years old, my older sister asked me to play her little counterpart in their high school musical production of “Once On This Island”. She was cast as the main character, Ti Moune, and I was to play Little Ti Moune. It was through this experience that I first fell in love with theatre and acting. I fell in love with the process of bringing characters, worlds and stories to life, leaning into imagination and collaboration with my other actors/playmates, and finally having that shared experience with audiences in real time.

Since then, I haven’t stopped. My passion for performing led me to move halfway across the globe to New York City, where I studied Multimedia Storytelling at NYU Gallatin, and then on to pursue my MFA in Acting at Brown/Trinity Rep. Along the way, I got to play many characters. Some of my favorites include: the Wolf in Hansol Jung’s “Wolf Play”, in which I had to embody a wolf while simultaneously maneuvering a puppet; the Beggar Woman in “Sweeney Todd”; and Flora in Ana Caro’s “Valor”, where I even got to sing an original song I wrote as part of the character’s story. But perhaps my proudest role was playing my dad in a solo performance piece entitled “Chasing the Butterflies” that brought to life my family’s core memories of him when he was still alive. It was a piece that I wrote, staged and performed; not only was it one of the hardest things I’ve had to produce in my artistic career thus far, but also the most rewarding.

I’ve found that I’m most excited playing characters who defy expectations in one way or another; and who’ve had to persist against the most impossible of circumstances. I’m drawn to roles that go through a journey of finding their own unique voice, of taking up space, and of expressing themselves unapologetically. Through my work, I’d also like to introduce aspects of the Filipino community that I grew up in — one filled with unconditional generosity, tenacity, and outrageous joy.

Getting to this point in my journey has certainly not been easy. I’m learning that it takes a lot of faith to pursue a creative career, especially with all the no’s, uncertainties and disappointments. That said, I’m still choosing to believe that my voice matters and that the stories I tell matter and can leave a lasting impact on those who encounter it. So amidst all the challenges, I remind myself to just do my best and let go of the rest. What’s for me in this life will not pass me; and I should simply enjoy the ride. Oh, and the journey is always made easier and more fun with a community of people! I consider myself extremely lucky to be surrounded by the kindest, most loving and supportive humans on this planet; and that has kept me going, above all else.

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?
I just recently moved back to New York City, where there are always so many things to do and sights to see! I’m a big foodie so I’d most likely take my friend on a food crawl to some of my favorite spots — Banter NYC, Prince St. Pizza, Thai Diner, Los Tacos No. 1 — the list can go on and on! I also have a big sweet tooth; I love the original cheesecake from Little Cupcake Bakeshop, the chocolate babka from Breads Bakery, Morgenstern’s ice cream and the chocolate chip cookie from Culture Espresso.

Besides eating, there’s also a lot of neighborhoods to explore! I love walking around SoHo, Washington Square Park, the West Village and the Meatpacking District, then strolling along the High Line for a more elevated view of Manhattan’s west side. Along the way, I’d recommend we stop by the Whitney, one of my favorite contemporary museums in the city. You also get an incredible view from the 8th floor terrace!

Being in theatre, I’d naturally take my friend to Times Square and to the the Drama Book Shop on 39th St. Going inside this store is like entering the Hogwarts library; and I’ve spent many afternoons there just reading plays while drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Then we’d end our day watching a play or musical! You never run out of shows to see in NYC; and it also sets my soul on fire to be in the audience and support my fellow artists.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people to thank! But for now, I’ll dedicate this shoutout to my Brown/Trinity Rep community in Providence, Rhode Island, where I spent the last four years completing my MFA in Acting. I have so much love and gratitude for all the actors, directors, playwrights, teachers and staff I worked with there. I wouldn’t have grown as much as I did without their generosity and unwavering faith in me.

I’m also incredibly grateful for my community of artists in New York City, especially to my mentor Tina Chilip, Fiasco Theater, my teachers JJ Perez and Heidi Marshall, and some of my creative collaborators Katusha Jin, Brynne O’Rourke, Salome Egas and Rachel Bass — thank you all so much for helping me navigate this transition into post-grad life!

Finally, I want to give a special shoutout to my wonderful family and friends in the Philippines, who continue to shower me with their love and support from thousands of miles away. And to some of my dearest friends in the city — Janelle Panganiban, Cathy Cano, Mario See, Mae Coyiuto, Sofia Coyiuto, Riana Tan, Pammy Moran, Sharleen Solis, Julius Utama and Julia Ongchoco — thank you for getting me through both the happiest and toughest of days!

Website: mykacue.com

Instagram: instagram.com/mykacue/

Image Credits
Danny Bristoll, Paul Rochford Jr., Mark Turek, Tom Wallace