In this episode, Marissa is joined by actor, improviser, performance maker and writer, Vera Chok.
Most recently on screen, Vera was a series regular on Channel 4’s flagship drama, Hollyoaks, playing Honour Chen-Williams, head of the first ever East Asian family on a British continuing drama.
Vera has appeared in London’s West End multiple times, in the original cast for multiple Olivier-winning Chimerica, and alongside Judi Dench for The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company.
Vera has a debut poetry collection coming out April 2024, via Burning Eye Press and she is currently touring 2:22 - A Ghost Story across the UK as 'Lauren'.
Originally recorded in November 2023, Marissa and Vera talk about:
1:52 = Vera's path to performing
5:12 = The 'Bamboo Ceiling'
10:50 = What needs to change in the acting industry
14:09 = Being cast in the first East Asian family on a British continuing drama
16:00 = The richness of diverse spaces
20:20 = Codeswitching
22:58 = The UK's first improv festival dedicated to East and South East Asian voices
25:05 = Empowerment and celebration
29:07 = Angry, yellow, woman
31:03 = How Vera took her career into her own hands
36:35 = Why are you doing the thing?
39:23 = Following curiosity
43:05 = If Vera ruled the world...
Find out more about Vera's work on her website www.verachok.org and @verachok on Instagram.
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Code switching