Name: Meiyin Wang

Title/Occupation: Associate Producer  /  Director

Organization/Company: Under The Radar Festival  / Quality Meats

URL: www.qualitymeats.org

1. Where did you grow up and how did you end up where you are now?

I grew up in Singapore where I had always thought I’d be a lawyer (thanks Claire Huxtable). Left for Yale where I studied theatre and political science. Went back to Singapore. Came back for directing MFA and not law school. Stayed in New York. Internship, Internship, Under The Radar.

2. Which performance, song, play, movie, painting or other work of art had the biggest influence on you and why?

Complicite’s Mnemonic. The piece had such incredible intellectual, emotional, artistic reach. It contained everything from the kitchen table to the edge of the universe. If there was something such as a perfect piece of theatre, that was it.

3. What skill, talent or attribute do you most wish you had and why?

I wish I had the ability to make money without doing anything. Then I can concentrate on making work.

4. What do you do to make a living? Describe a normal day.

Wake up, coffee from the Mud truck, go to the Under The Radar office at the Public around 10ish. Emails /sitting in on artist meetings with Mark / viewing videos/ talk about art and programming/ try to scam trips to festivals / follow-up emails.  In the evening, I go to see a show or rehearse for my own shows. Come home (more emails) and watch the Daily show with Joel. During Under The Radar Festival in January, it’s the same but done at warped speed.

5. Have you ever had to make a choice between work and art? What did you choose, why, and what was the outcome?

My job and my art are so enmeshed together I probably made choices without even knowing.  But for the most part, I’m fortunate because work (ie Mark Russell) is super flexible and supportive when it comes to the ‘art’ part of my life.