Meet Soo Young Choi | Independent Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Soo Young Choi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Soo Young, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
I believe that having a strong responsibility is the most important value for me. It is applicable to all types of relationships in our lives. And, especially in the professional world, everyone understands how difficult it is to work with someone who lacks responsibility/accountability. It is also surprising that everyone has different expectations and definitions of duty, which leads to conflict. Therefore, I believe it is critical to have a clear agreement of what each person’s responsibility is ahead.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Recently, I have presented a staged reading with music performance with my colleagues called ‘MA, GO.’ It is a bilingual, fantastical new horror, and immersive performance about generational ways of celebrating life and death. The performance is centered around Korean shamanistic ritual called ‘GUT’ (pronounce like ‘Good’), which is a ritual blessing and sending the spirit to heaven. ‘MA, GO’ seeks to demonstrate how the intent and significance of ‘GUT’ resonates with the universal sentiment of blessing loved ones and western culture of Halloween.

This project was very meaningful to me because this is the first project that I initiated as an independent producer in New York City. Even though it was a non-profit free show, we were able to gather meaningful number of audiences including industry professionals. Also, we got really good feedbacks which makes me confident about moving forward with this piece. Since I am currently an international student at NYU, there are many steps that I have to solve as an immigrant artist. However, I have confidence on my vision and plan for my future career. So, please look out for updates about my project, MA, GO !! (Instagram @ma_go_nyc)

During my college, I studied Communication Arts-Film, TV, Radio with the goal of working in the media industry. However, I had difficulty obtaining career opportunities in media firms. One day I got an opportunity to work at musical production company in South Korea and I took that chance. I thought I was failing to find my dream job but turned out that life was directing me to another dream place.

I started as an intern at production department and worked my way up to general manager/assistant producer after around 7 years. I could experience diverse genre of productions such as Las Vegas type show, classic musical like Les Misérables (Korean production), musical productions for kids and classical music concerts. I was grateful that I could participate and develop myself with different productions over the years. But at the same time, I was concerned that I was becoming too accustomed to working in the same environment and system. So, I chose to leave the company in order to pursue a completely different project, and I got a chance to work as an assistant producer at the Art Lab Festival, the largest Art and Tech festival in Korea. It was an eye-opening experience since I have never experienced this type of event which is converging different genre, medium, and technology. It really inspired me and made me to eager for creating something new type of art which can entertain people.

I felt like I need to study more and came to New York as a graduate student of NYU Performing Arts Administration program. My baby steps as an independent producer have only begun, and there will be many challenges and setbacks along the way. However, I believe that my vision to create performing arts productions through immersive theater and convergence of various art forms will lead me to where I want to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
What a happy coincidence! In fact, my best friend is currently visiting me in New York (laugh).

Definitely go to Buvette in West Village for brunch and to my colleagues and my after class go to place, Linen Hall for a drink near NYU. For late-night jazz, I’ll also take my friend to Blue Note or Smalls. Since I am into immersive theater productions, I recommend checking out anything going on at McKittick Hotel. It can be their main production, Sleep No More or smaller production like Speakeasy Magick or The Illusionist’s Table. You can even go there several times because every time you go, you will get different experiences.

I really enjoy wandering around Greenwich Village, where I can observe various cultures and traits coexist. There is also no need to visit fancy observatories. My apartment has a spectacular view of Manhattan, so I’ll grab a beer or a glass of wine and take a friend up to my rooftop.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First of all, I would like to thank Lea Li who recommended me to Shoutout series! It is such a great opportunity to introduce me and my work.

Also I would like to thank all my teammates of the project MA, GO which I recently finished and taught me to be a better person/producer.

Instagram: @ma_go_nyc & @332.soo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soo-young-c-875937188/