Jeffrey Lo
Playwright, Director, Casting Director
Top 9 Q&A with Jeffrey Lo
1. How did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Jeffrey: I found my way to storytelling in a roundabout way. Initially, I loved video games and thought I’d become a journalist. My passion for storytelling and language evolved from there, especially when I discovered theater in high school. The sense of community and collaboration in theater really drew me in.
2. What challenges have you faced in your career?
Jeffrey: Financial instability is a major challenge, especially in the Bay Area. Early in my career, there were fewer opportunities for Asian American stories. I often found myself as the only person of color in the room, which required finding strength in my individuality and pushing for representation.
3. How did your parents influence your career in the arts?
Jeffrey: My parents didn’t initially value the arts and preferred I pursue a stable career. Although they didn’t always understand my passion, they attended my shows and gradually engaged more deeply with the stories. Their support, despite their concerns, has been crucial.
4. How did you evolve into your current roles as a director, playwright, and educator?
Jeffrey: I started as a writer and director in high school, driven by a desire to control how my stories were told. Over time, I separated writing from directing to explore each more fully. Teaching came later, and I enjoy working with students for their fresh perspectives and diversity.
5. Is formal education important for aspiring artists?
Jeffrey: Education provides valuable structure and foundational skills, but there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. Doing the work, making mistakes, and learning by doing are essential. Formal education can help, but it’s not the only path.
6. What are some misconceptions about being an artist?
Jeffrey: One misconception is the financial status of artists; we’re often seen as either very poor or very wealthy. Another is that artists are difficult or egotistical. In reality, the most successful artists are kind and collaborative. Also, anyone can belong in the arts—it’s a community for outcasts and individuals. It’s hard work, and there’s always something to learn, no matter your role.
7. How can parents best support their aspiring artist children?
Jeffrey: Let them try it. Most kids won’t pursue it professionally, but the skills they learn—public speaking, collaboration, self-expression—are invaluable. Even if they don’t make a career out of it, the experience will enrich their lives.
8. How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Jeffrey: Challenges motivate me. When I feel underestimated, I work harder to prove myself. Adversity pushes me to excel. Watching documentaries about figures who thrive under pressure, like Michael Jordan, also inspires me.
9. What other insights can you share about being an artist?
Jeffrey: Being an artist has nothing to do with making money. Art can fulfill one's soul in many ways. It's essential to recognize the craft and hard work required in theater—it's not as easy as people think. Additionally, storytelling helps us understand each other better. As a Native American storyteller once said, "My family tells stories upon the assumption that it's impossible to hate someone that you know too well."
Full Interview Q&A with Jeffrey Lo
CATS: We’re very excited to be meeting with Jeffrey Lo. Jeffrey is currently our Artistic Producer for our Asian American playwright festival taking place this Saturday. We're interested in looking at a different side of Jeffrey and hopefully provide inspiration and insight into what it takes to be an Asian American artist. Jeffrey is not only an award-winning playwright and director, but he has also won the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Award, Theater Bay Area Director’s TITAN Award, and many more. His directing credits cover the Bay Area including TheaterWorks Silicon Valley’s Little Shop of Horrors, San Francisco Playhouse’s Hold These Truths, Chinglish and The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin and San Jose Stage’s Bald Sisters. His play, Fragments Home was a finalist for the Bay Area Playwright’s Conference and semi-finalist for the O’Neill Playwright Conference. Jeffrey, thank you for being here.
CATS: How did you actually find your inspiration? How did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Jeffrey: It's really interesting. I sort of found my way to storytelling in a roundabout way. I always loved storytelling in adjacent ways before I found theater. Initially, I loved video games and thought I was going to be a journalist. My passion for storytelling and language evolved from there, especially when I discovered theater in high school. The sense of community and collaboration in theater really drew me in.
CATS: Can you talk about how you've dealt with some of the challenges that you faced during this career?
Jeffrey: Financial instability is a major challenge, especially in the Bay Area. Artists here make the same as artists in less expensive parts of the country, but with a much higher cost of living. Early in my career, there were fewer opportunities for Asian American stories. I often found myself as the only person of color in the room, which required finding strength in my individuality and pushing for representation.
CATS: Can you talk about the role that your parents might have had in encouraging you, or what words did they share that might have impacted your development?
Jeffrey: My parents didn't initially value the arts and preferred I pursue a stable career. Although they didn’t always understand my passion, they attended my shows and gradually engaged more deeply with the stories. Their support, despite their concerns, has been crucial. They didn’t stop me from pursuing my passion, and for that, I am grateful.
CATS: You are an accomplished and award-winning director, playwright, and educator. How did you evolve into these careers?
Jeffrey: I started as a writer and director in high school, driven by a desire to control how my stories were told. Over time, I separated writing from directing to explore each more fully. Teaching came later, and I enjoy working with students for their fresh perspectives and diversity. I’ve learned that you can find your path in various ways, and it’s important to embrace every opportunity to grow.
CATS: How important is education in your career right now? Would you advise an aspiring director or playwright to go to college?
Jeffrey: Education provides valuable structure and foundational skills, but there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. Doing the work, making mistakes, and learning by doing are essential. Formal education can help, but it’s not the only path. It’s about taking your craft seriously and continuously improving.
CATS: What are some of the misconceptions about being an artist, such as yourself?
Jeffrey: One misconception is the financial status of artists; we’re often seen as either very poor or very wealthy. Another is that artists are difficult or egotistical. In reality, the most successful artists that people really want to work with are always kind and collaborative. If I'm doing an audition, and there's two people who can do a role, and one person's a little bit better, but the other person's better to work with. If it's a close enough gap, I'm gonna I'm gonna work with the person who's easier to work because we we have to take into consideration the makeup of the room. We work too hard and too long in a small room together for us to have a hard time with each other.
If you feel like you don't belong, you do. And anybody belongs. Theater, art and storytelling are a community for outcasts. It's a community for people who are individuals. It's a it's a community for weirdos. So that's totally fine. Just be yourself.
People often underestimate the craft and hard work required in theater; it's not as easy as they think.
CATS: If there is a parent of an artist watching this right now or a student who is really interested in being an actor, director, or playwright, what advice would you provide them?
Jeffrey: Let them try it. Most kids won’t pursue it professionally, but the skills they learn—public speaking, collaboration, self-expression—are invaluable. Even if they don’t make a career out of it, the experience will enrich their lives. Your child’s value as an artist isn’t measured by how much money they make from it. Being an artist has nothing to do with making money. Art can fulfill one's soul in many ways.
CATS: Can you comment on the future of Asian American theater?
Jeffrey: It’s growing. There are more opportunities and more Asian American stories being told. This visibility helps parents feel more comfortable letting their children pursue the arts. The more stories we tell, the more our community will grow and diversify. As a Native American storyteller said, "My family tells stories upon the assumption that it's impossible to hate someone that you know too well." The more stories we share, the more we understand each other, making it impossible to hate.
CATS: How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Jeffrey: Challenges motivate me. When I feel underestimated, I work harder to prove myself. Adversity pushes me to excel. Watching documentaries about figures who thrive under pressure, like Michael Jordan, also inspires me. Proving others wrong and pushing through challenges is a significant motivator.
CATS: Jeffrey, the insight you've provided for not only artists but also for their parents is invaluable. Thank you so much for your time.
Jeffrey: Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.