We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lucy 千卉 Ma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lucy 千卉 below.
Lucy 千卉, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
At the end of 2019, I participated in the *Vagina Monologues* project. Initially, I thought it would be another futile attempt at submitting my resume, but to my surprise, the director eventually approached me and asked if I would be willing to play the lead role. During the COVID time, it was a very special period, as the Chinese government had imposed strict controls on gatherings and theater attendance. This performance, already centered on a feminist theme, became even more meaningful against such a societal backdrop. Compared to the so-called “first dollar” excitement, what I felt at that moment was more a sense of tension, as the police could burst into the venue at any time and force us to stop the performance. Of course, none of this could be revealed to the audience while we were on stage. After going through this experience, I began to define myself more as an innovative and radical theater actor. I developed a deeper understanding of the significance of this profession and the responsibility it carries to speak up for others.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
马千卉Lucy Ma is an international actor and the founder and CFO of Matrix Arts and Productions LLC.She is a graduate from CalArts. She starred as the protagonist in the first Chinese adaption of the Vagina Monologues, produced by Orange Sky Golden Harvest Public Company. She was the lead actress in The Count of Oolong Mountain and completed a national tour in China produced by Fun Age Entertainment Co., Ltd. She also starred in a devised theatre piece, Shanghai, by director Sara Rademacher and playwright Linda Alper. Lucy Ma will serve as both the executive producer and actor for Drip at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in May. She cooperated with Tencent Video to star in the TV series The Future Stores. Lucy Ma’s film includes The Apple, Hold My Hand, etc. Awards received include but are not limited to The Most Prestigious People of 2024 by Amare Magazine. As the CFO and producer of Matrix Arts and Production, Lucy Ma leads a company specializing in talent casting, script development, theatrical performance, and acting audition and reel preparation. The company is planning to host two sessions of a youth acting summer camp in Los Angeles in June 2025 for teenagers interested in acting.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I was 13, I moved to the United States and attended a private school in New Jersey. At that school, apart from me, there were only a handful of Korean students, and they were all seniors. As someone new to the country and unfamiliar with the language, I faced significant discrimination and bullying in this environment. The worst part was that when I reported the bullying to the school, they turned a blind eye.
Coming from a Chinese upbringing that values discipline and avoiding conflict, I initially found myself feeling timid and unable to respond effectively to the bullying. After countless attempts to seek help without success, I realized I had no choice but to stand up and confront the bullying myself. This experience shaped me into a resilient individual, someone who understands, as the saying goes, that only those who have been drenched in rain can truly appreciate holding an umbrella for others.
Later, in college, I joined the run crew for my first theater production, *Tartuffe*. Watching the actors shine under the spotlight, using their physicality and words to express themselves, moved me deeply. I decided then that I wanted to become someone who could empower others through storytelling. But I knew that being an actor alone wasn’t enough; I needed to create work that consistently amplified underrepresented voices. Driven by my perfectionist tendencies, I committed to producing works where every line and shot was intentional and necessary to be heard—guided by Chekhov’s principle that every gun on stage must fire.
This passion eventually led me back to China, where I participated in the *Vagina Monologues* project. Through this production, I spoke up for marginalized and minority groups, including women, BIPOC, and other underrepresented communities. This journey, born from resilience, has taught me the power and responsibility of using art to give voice to those who might otherwise remain unheard.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my view, society can best support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem by recognizing the value of art not just as entertainment but as a powerful medium for storytelling, connection, and change. This starts with creating spaces where artists can experiment without fear of failure—places where risk-taking is encouraged, and innovation can flourish.
Funding is crucial, of course, but it’s not just about grants or sponsorships. It’s about equitable access to resources, ensuring that artists from diverse backgrounds, especially those in underrepresented communities, can tell their stories. Education systems also play a role; fostering creativity and critical thinking from a young age, rather than solely prioritizing standardized testing, helps develop future generations of artists and audiences alike.
Additionally, society needs to prioritize protecting the rights and dignity of artists. This includes fair compensation for their work, access to healthcare, and a supportive community that values their contributions as essential, not optional. Finally, we need to engage in ongoing dialogue about the role of art in reflecting and challenging societal norms. Art has the power to heal, to provoke, and to inspire action. By embracing this power and fostering an ecosystem where it can thrive, we invest not just in artists but in a more empathetic, thoughtful, and inclusive society.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lucymas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy_mqh/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqDhi63Cx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Nogen Beck Tian Liu Sam Lulloff