We recently connected with Andy Law and have shared our conversation below.

Andy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve always loved watching American movies growing up. I thought they’re so much cooler than HK movies. It is kind of a fallacy though. The media trend has controlled it all. And now, with that effect, I stay open to any art forms from both culture.

When I decided to come to the US to build a career from scratch – from training to auditioning and now a fairly presentable resume – I’ve never really dwelled on the risk I was actually taking. Although I admit that I came from a privileged background, with no shame or pride at all, I decide that I will spend my 20s at the environment where there’s no family around and perhaps that’s the biggest trade off. I used to tell myself it doesn’t really matter my family is not around. They’re all back in Hong Kong. It’s not like I need them around all the time. I’m a grown man. From studying college in Japan to now working as a professional actor, it’s been 7 years of living abroad, away from home. There are times I face the feeling of loneliness, and nostalgia. And there are times I’m grateful for making a choice that put me in such discomfort. Because of this discomfort, I’ve learned to adapt and start doing things only a solitary person can do. I paint on my easel and actually sold some paintings. I study my lines and play music, undisturbed. The stakes are much higher than what it would be if I chose to settle my life in Hong Kong. It’d be so much more comfortable and easy. Without this discomfort as a hungry artist, I fear I will lose sight of my calling and the drive.

In the back of my mind, I’m aware my family supports me to be able to live in New York City and focus on my craft. So I have to draw balance between meeting their expectations and my own. I remember my father told me that I’ve always been making my own call for where I’m heading. No matter what he’ll support me. And I’m grateful again, in the meantime not forgetting how privileged I am, again, without shame or pride. And now aside from acting, I paint during my slow days, satisfying my urge to create.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an actor who grew up in Hong Kong. In the US, I’ve realized how the entertainment industry works, at least in New York. And I’ve gained plenty understanding where I’m positioned as a Chinese. It’s not my only goal that I’ll play all the Chinese immigrant roles who I can fit in. That’s not what I admire the most for New York. Without ignoring the cultural differences, I hope that I’ll find roles that go beyond the race discussion.

This is my bio:
Andy Law (he/him) is a NYC-based actor, singer and visual artist. He has played lead roles in several off-off broadway productions at Chain Theatre. Notable shows include Scenes from Interior Chinatown (Museum of Chinese in the America), Tongues (JACK), Thank You For Listening (Remote Theatre Project), Pain Inc. (Chain Theater), Look How Far You’ve Come (Chain Theater), A Sketch of New York (Producers Club), The Northbound Train (Columbia University), Three Second Angel (Theatre Lab). Also, Never Have I Ever a short film. And the upcoming web series THE SWEAT SHOP directed/written by Erik Potempa which was selected to the BIG APPLE Film Festival.

I also have an upcoming show in June called Thank You For Listening in Sara Roosevelt Park directed by Alexandra Aron produced by The Remote Theater Project. It’s the first time I’ll be co-writing with Carmen Rivera who’s an established playwright.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

“Being white with blonde hair and blue eyes is better.” That’s probably it. It’s so hard to unlearn it. We have our own beauty standards in Hong Kong and being a cool white guy definitely gets the girls. Coming to America, I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness. Because back home we Chinese are the majority and here I’m so different than everybody else. I’ve been approached with genuine curiosity or even admiration. It makes me see myself in a completely different way. And it’s still a challenge to unlearn the lesson that “being white is better.” Belong to the minorities empowers me. Sometimes I see myself in the lenses of others and I do like what I see.

I remember when I first came to the US which was only 3 years ago, I kept romanticizing white women. It’s messed up. I failed to see them as who they are instead they became a type I like. I wasn’t treating them as each individual. Can it get any worse as an actor?

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I wanna talk about my acting teacher in HB Studio which is the only acting school in NY I’ve been to. She gave me so much. She made me understand what theater is all about. She gave me the confidence I needed. “Don’t be a word machine.” “Your must use the fourth side.” “Need the words.” “Sing with every cell in your body when you’re up there.” “You need an obstacle.” These are a few of her mottos which will always stick in the back of my mind. Her queen energy completely infused and permeated through me in class. I started understanding that when I walk into the audition room, even on zoom, all I have to do is pursuing my character’s objective and nothing else. Don’t care about what they expect from me or whether I’ll get the job. I did my thing, had a fun experience and hopefully got inspired, learned something. From joining her musical class as a stiff newbie to getting her to see my show in Chain Theater, having her tell me “I was the only one who knew what I was doing. I was fabulous,” and I have to be like “okay okay, I believe you’re flattering me because you’re my teacher.” She taught me to trust the process and believe in the work I’ve done and then let it all go when I got up there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andy2000622.wixsite.com/andytclaw
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andytclaw/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/law.andy.87/
• Other: Art page: https://www.instagram.com/lawlessstrokes/