Meet Tina Huang | Actor/Writer/Director/Producer

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

Hi Tina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking is everything! If I hadn’t taken any risks, I wouldn’t have a career or the life I enjoy. Deciding to be an actor when I didn’t have a lot examples of Asian American actors growing up, was a risk. I had to believe I’d be able to carve an avenue for myself. Going to my first audition, moving to Los Angeles, starting a theatre company (AmmunitionTheatre.com), starting a production company (1to1productions.com), stepping foot on the stage, all involve taking a risk. Of course, it’s scary and that’s very real, but I try to think about risk and trust in tandem- take the leap and TRUST that you will land, maybe not where you expected but certainly somewhere new. If I didn’t try at all, I would not have created value or community. Risk takes me out of stagnation and it can be as simple as taking a small but impactful step forward. I guess I don’t see the alternative being an option because I see risk as a part of being alive and human. Though, I will say I try to be a calculated risk taker when I can!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In addition to acting, I am also a writer, producer and director.

I am proud to have co-founded 1:1 Productions with my long time collaborator and friend, Karla Mosley. Our company’s mission is to champion women of color in front of and behind the camera. Amongst the many projects we have made through 1:1, we have produced an award winning short, XIN, that I wrote, a web series called WEDLOCKED that Karla co-created/wrote and I co-directed which has played at numerous festivals, and our most recent project, (UN)CLAIMED created and written by an incredible artist named Carolyn Ratteray. (UN)CLAIMED recently premiered at the prestigious OUTFEST film festival here in Los Angeles and we have just learned of several other festivals we have been made an Official Selection of including Urbanworld Film festival. We are excited for Carolyn’s project and cannot wait to keep sharing it with audiences. Our next screening is at the DTLA film festival September 18th at LA Regal Live. @1to1productions

I am extremely excited for people to come see REVENGE PORN OR THE STORY OF A BODY by Carla Ching at the PICO theatre in West LA. This play is incredibly moving and Carla Ching has a very important voice. The play follows Kat Chan. When Kat ex-husband posts revenge porn of her online and tags everyone she knows, she has to wrestle with a choice: be humane to someone she used to love or take him out in a very public way? A play about public shaming, ownership of women’s bodies and images, and the earthquakes that come from dissolving a marriage. We run September 23rd- October 9th. Tickets are at AmmunitionTheatre.com. We will also be hosting and AAPI Affinity night and talk backs. I truly hope everyone comes out to see it and supports LA theatre! We’ll grab a drink together afterwards across the street!

Finally, I am recurring on DAYS OF OUR LIVES as DA Melinda Trask. I could not ask for a more wonderful group of people to work with. My character is very cut throat and deliciously wicked but I believe has a heart of gold. I’m having so much fun being on the show and am excited about our move to PEACOCK. @PeacockTV or PeacockTV.com to sign up!

It’s obvious to say that being an artist is not an easy path to follow. I didn’t come from a “connected” family or anything like that. My parents were hard working immigrants and I am first generation born in America. The challenges have come from self-doubt, the lack of seeing Asian American representation in media, sexism, racism…the list is endless. When I face rejection, which is a lot, I get back up. Some times it is harder than other times but all that truly matters is trying again. I got to where I am today professionally by surrounding myself with truly incredible human beings who are also inspiring artists- people I truly admire. The community of people around me have lifted me up and want to see me “win” and that inspires me to reciprocate or pay it forward. I have a kind and supportive partner in Mickey Pentecost who reminds me to focus on my “fans” rather than the “haters.” Focus on what I have to say. I try to show up as a better version of myself every day as an artist and person because I see the good in all those who surround me. Keep showing up. Show up for others. Do the work. Make art. That’s what I have learned.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

There’s too much to see and do in Los Angeles! There are so many great spots! Here’s a just quick/short list of things to do…

Spend the day at the beach at Point Dume- keep your eyes peeled for dolphins
Do a picnic at Malibu Wines
See an art house film at the NuArt theatre
See a play at Ammunition Theatre or another small LA theatre company
Go for a hike – get outdoors to Runyon for people watching, Temescal Canyon for dramatic views.
See some live music at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek
Go to the LACMA to look at some art work and then see some alternative exhibits at the Museum of Jurassic Technology
Eat pizza at Mozza.
Get Korean style wings in K-town and get a private room to karaoke.
Have drinks at VWine room in West Hollywood- they have lots of delicious small produced California wines and the vibes are lovely.
Get some late night burritos at Cactus on Vine (the little shack, not the sit down restaurant).
Go see a show at the Groundlings- it’s alway good for a deep belly laugh.
Get a Martini at Musso & Frank.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Shoutout to Ammunition Theatre Company! I am a founding member of this incredible community of artists which has fed my soul for years. We are always cheering each other on and I am in constant awe of the level of talent, kindness and activism around me. From our website: “Ammunition Theatre Company (AMMO) was born out of a desire to accelerate representation in the arts, explore the meaning of identity in an ever-changing America, and shift mainstream storytelling toward diverse perspectives. By producing original theatrical works and reimagined classics in a medium that is timeless and impactful, AMMO chooses to celebrate unique stories that hopefully inspires our Los Angeles community to do the same.AMMO actively engages in city arts and non-profit programs that directly support marginalized groups, such as at-risk and homeless youth, seniors, ethnic groups, and LGBTQIA+ people.”

Theatre struggled during the pandemic, especially small theatre companies but AMMO hung on through it all with sheer grit and to the credit of the leadership at the time. AMMO hosted zoom performances, creating virtual spaces to foster new writers and outreach to other theatre companies in Los Angeles.

AMMO was recently awarded the amazing LANPP grant and we are proud to be opening REVENGE PORN OR THE STORY OF A BODY by Carla Ching. The play was also part of the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Summer Playwrights Festival in 2021. Directed by Bernardo Cubria and starring a majority AAPI cast including myself, Christopher Larkin, Kahyun Kim, Nelson Lee, Jeanne Sakata and Roland Ruiz, we are ecstatic to come back to the theatre in person to present this special show. It runs Sept 23rd-Oct 9th at the Pico Theatre. We hope to see you there.

AMMO gives me a safe home to feel seen, heard: to be fully myself. It is especially meaningful to me in these disturbing times of rising violence against Asians and Asian Americans across the nation. I am deeply grateful to this company and its love of theatre, activism and community. They deserve a lot of credit and love. Support the arts!

Website: tinahuang.com

Instagram: @tinahuang381

Twitter: @tinahuang

Other: ammunitiontheatre.com

Image Credits
Headshot by: Dana Patrick Revenge Porn Poster designed by Arturo de la Garza/ Photo by Tina Huang, UNCLAIMED Poster by Lance V. Whitfield, UNCLAIMED Crew with Clapboard by Tina Huang, Tina Huang Daytime Emmys by Tina Huang, Cast of Revenge Porn in Rehearsal room by Vivian Lau