If there were a TV show to sum up who I am, that would be - Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Growing up bilingual and bicultural, I always felt like an orphaned alien child who had never quite fit in. That changed when I saw Deanna Troi, the half-human, half-Betazoid counselor on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Finally, a mixed character on TV facing struggles similar to mine! I know mixed ethnicities and mixed species are different, but go with my 8-year-old brain! Marina Sirtis’s portrayal made me feel seen, and it was incredibly self-affirming.
Born to a Japanese mother and an American father, I frequently traveled between the U.S. and Japan, attending school in both countries. Despite my family’s efforts to give me a sense of belonging, I was hyper-aware that not everyone felt the same. I longed for the acceptance and community portrayed in Star Trek: The Next Generation, where differences were celebrated and compassion was a strength.
Then, in the 5th grade, after moving back to the U.S., I discovered acting. My class put on a play adapted from “The Last of The Really Great Whangdoodles” by Dame Julie Andrews (yes, THE Dame Julie Andrews). Cast as the villain, I realized that acting allowed me to empathize with outcasts like me and tell their stories so they could be seen and understood. This experience showed me that, through acting, I could be a mirror for others, just as Deanna Troi was for me.
My fascination with storytelling led me to explore both Western and Japanese theatre. I earned a B.A. from Earlham College and apprenticed for three years at the Theatre of Yugen in San Francisco, studying Noh drama and Kyogen comedy. I continue to develop my craft at Diana Castle’s Imagined Life Studios.
Acting, the art of storytelling, is a transformative craft for me.It deepens my empathy so I can water the seeds of compassion, heal wounded souls, give voice to the voiceless, and make the unseen visible—much like Star Trek: The Next Generation did for me.
Outside of acting, I practice Polynesian dance and perform at community and charity events. I also run a graphic design business, helping actors with marketing, thanks to friends who asked for my services and referred me. Most of all, I love spending time at home with my husband and our senior rescue pup, Weenie.
