29th March 2024

Search

Franchesca Wong, Actress and Drama Teacher in Hong Kong

Franchesca Wong, Actress and Drama Teacher in Hong Kong

Franchesca Wong is a Canadian born Chinese actress currently based in Hong Kong. After studying marketing, she discovered her true passion was with acting. She graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) in 2019 and has since then lived her passion onstage. Franchesca is also a drama teacher, corporate role player, and an avid adventurer.

In this interview, Franchesca tells us about her path, her passions, and her thoughts on the world backstage.

Franchesca Wong

Hello Franchesca, thank you for speaking with me today. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are your passions? And what do you currently do?

I am thirty-one years old. Pure Chinese (even though everyone thinks I’m a mix). I am a Christian. And, I am an extrovert, bubbly, very down to earth I’d say, adventurous and curious.

I was born in Calgary, Canada in 1990. When I was three years old, I moved to Hong Kong with my family. Then moved back to Canada when I was fifteen years old.

I speak fluent Cantonese, English, and good Mandarin. I finished my high school and business degree at the University of Calgary majoring in Marketing. Then, I moved to Hong Kong in 2013 for work.

My passions are performing, acting, sports, hiking, stream trekking, adventuring through the woods, scuba diving, travelling… and making an impact in this world with my passion.

I am currently a freelancer.  With various roles – actor, drama teacher, corporate role player, workshop facilitator, EMCEE, VO, model… pretty much available for everything haha.

You mentioned your first degree was in marketing. What sparked your wish to change careers and become an actress?

When I was a teenager, I never really thought about what my passions were, all I knew was that I need to get a degree and make money like what most people are doing.

I just followed everyone else around me. So, I studied business and hoped I’d make lots of money and live comfortably.

In the two years of working in an office, I was very unhappy, unsatisfied, and demotivated. I realized that’s not for me. Instead, I wanted to do something I truly enjoy. Definitely something meaningful to me and to the world.

I started to question my life’s purpose and my passion. I was really confused at that time.

Then, I read a book called “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It inspired me to pursue my own personal legend and my passion. So, I started my journey of exploring in search of things that excite me.

One day, my friend invited me to watch a theatre play in HK. I still remember the feeling inside of me, as if someone lit a fire in me.

Whilst sitting in the auditorium, watching the actors playing on stage, my childhood memories flooded back into my mind. And I recalled I was once very passionate about performing and acting. Something I had completely forgotten since high school.

I had grown up with a mentality that acting is not a “proper” career. And that most actors can’t make a living unless you are at the top 1%. All silly stereotypes which stopped me from pursuing what I like.

After seeing the play with my friend, I went online and searched for drama courses in Hong Kong.

I remember thinking ” Fine, if I can’t change my career, I will just do what I like to do outside of work. I’m going to keep trying to make myself happy.”

Then, I took three drama courses. One after another, three times a week after work, until like 11pm.

I then realized just how much I enjoy doing this. I felt life was full of hope and excitement. Then, I wondered if it’s possible to turn my passion of acting into a career…

Lord of the Flies
Who’s Afraid of the Lord of the Flies, 2018

What were your reasons for seeking an art education in Hong Kong rather than in Canada?

I was living in Hong Kong at the time. And if I wanted to work in the theatre industry in Hong Kong, I was advised to go to HKAPA to get my training. Learn about theatre, acting, as well as get my foot in the industry by making connections. Especially, because I didn’t have any prior experience or connections at the time (when I was twenty-four years old).

How do you see the cultural differences in both places? Especially concerning your work as a performer.

Since I grew up partly in Hong Kong and Canada, it’s definitely easier for me to adapt to the cultural differences compared to many of my local friends in HK.

I haven’t worked in Canada (in terms of performing), so I can’t say I know the difference in the world of performing. Well, not yet. I am planning to go to Vancouver within the next two years to try out the acting scene there. So, perhaps I can share more with you in a follow-up interview.

Dust and Dawn
Dust and Dawn, 2019

You graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and are now a freelance actress. How has freelancing been for you in Hong Kong?

I have enjoyed freelancing very much. I love the flexible work schedule. The best part is that I get to be part of different jobs and productions. And I meet different people from all over the world.

It’s all very exciting and eye opening for me. The fact that I can’t have a five-year career plan is quite exciting. Yes, at times it’s a bit scary. But it’s all part of the adventure. Just gotta prepare and be ready for anything.

Being bilingual gives me the advantage on the Hong Kong job market. I can get my foot in the door of both the Chinese and English-speaking sectors (acting, teaching, corporate role playing etc.).

I do have to ask; how did the pandemic affect you and your career personally? And what are your dreams for your future as an actress?

Many of my freelancing jobs were cancelled like for most actors.

I was very fortunate though. Right when Covid hit Hong Kong, in early 2020, I was offered a full-time acting role in a local theatre company called WeDraman Group. It was a one-year contract which ended in May 2021.

During the pandemic, I was able to perform in various shows with the company. I was definitely one lucky actress.

Now, I just hope to keep acting and do what I enjoy. On top of that, I hope that my work will be able to create an impact in the world in whatever way.

For example, I just did a solo theatre play called Every Brilliant Thing by British playwright Duncan Macmillan. The play is about the spectrum of emotions experienced when dealing directly or indirectly with the reality of depression and suicide. It provides a refreshing way of destigmatizing mental health.

Franchesca Wong
Every Brilliant Thing, first run, 2020

Since the social unrest in Hong Kong two years ago and then global pandemic, many people have been dealing with severe depression and PTSD.

After the first performance, a girl who came to see the show shared her story with me. In fact, she suffered from severe depression for a few years. Now she is trying to come out of it. She told me that the play touched her heart. She felt healed by it, and it gave her hope.

Nearly every night people from the audience would message me and tell me the same thing.

For me, it was more than just a performance, it was something far beyond just a show.

I’ve been asking myself over the last two years, what am I doing as an actor? What’s my purpose? How am I contributing to the community when the world is collapsing?

I am not a doctor, not a lawyer, or a politician. I can’t be in the front-line helping people or making direct changes to the community. Yet, by doing this play, I’m reminded of my mission/purpose in acting.

Is there anything you find particularly important and valuable to share with those who want to enter the world of performing?

It’s never too late to enter the world of performing! I started when I was twenty-five. If you are willing to take a big step forward into the unknown, everything is possible.

Comparing yourself to other amazing actors in the world of performing is inevitable. To a certain degree you need to do that to keep improving.

Franchesca Wong
The Adding Machine, 2019

However, it’s very easy to lose our own identity, our values and our dreams in such a competitive world.

One thing I find helpful for me to stay focused is this: Always be true to who you are and to your values. Focus on your own talents. Be humble and keep learning.

The world of performing is so much fun and full of adventure.

Thank you for you spirited and inspiring words Franchesca! We wish you all the best.

Franchesca’s profile on the HKAPA website

Franchesca’s Instagram

Franchesca on LinkedIn

 

More from Liam Klenk:

Actor, Director, and Lecturer in Hong Kong: Billy Sy

The House of Dancing Water… Remembering a Masterpiece

Join TheatreArtLife to access unlimited articles, our global career center, discussion forums, and professional development resource guide. Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals. Learn more about our subscription plans.

The Market

Love to write or have something to say? Become a contributor with TheatreArtLife. Join our community of industry leaders working in artistic, creative, and technical roles across the globe. Visit our CONTRIBUTE page to learn more or submit an article.

 

STANDBY

logo-2.jpg

Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.

Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.

To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.

Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.

Are you ready? Select JOIN to get started!