Charlene Hong White
Artist Portfolio
Theatre
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2024),
Traveler / Pellegrina / Nellie / Old Doll
Directed by Anna Crace, Stages Theatre
In this moving TYA play, a self-absorbed china rabbit doll learns what it means to love and be loved.
"The two adult cast members, Grant Hooyer and Charlene Hong White, both of whom play multiple characters throughout Edwards journey are both excellent in every persona they take on. They are great examples to the young cast of how to create multiple distinct characters within a play." - Rob Dunkelberger, The Stages of MN
Watch a media interview here via CCX Media!
The Figs (World Premiere, 2024),
Princess Sadie & Swan Puppeteer
Written by Doug Robinson
Directed by Helen R. Murray
In this beautiful premiere, Robinson creates a "fairytale for grown-ups," where kindness wins and stories have a life of their own.
"The cast has a blast in this fanciful playground. As the king, Rita Cole gorges on figs and revenge with stylish swagger. Charlene Hong White embodies both the princess’ wonkish sense of duty and her unbridled passion for Lorna, played with an aura of sad wisdom by Natalya Lynette Rathnam. Em Whitforth is wonderfully wide-eyed and open-hearted as June.
Jemier Jenkins and Eric Olson are perfectly matched and unapologetically profane as Jin and Jod. Jenkins almost walked off with the show as that talking, much-ruffled fish. And Jordan keeps it all together with her versatility (she’s also the king’s attendant, a magical tinker, a sassy messenger, the princess’ kindly nurse, and more)." - David Warner, The Gabber
Sister Act: The Musical (2024), Mary Lazarus
Directed by Justin Anderson, Aurora Theatre
Charlene Hong White plays a feisty rapping nun (yep!) in this electric, feel-good, family-friendly comedy.
"The...convent sisters include Brianne Knights, Charlene Hong White, Jill Hames and Kathy Kuczka, and they are collectively a joyous, in-sync ensemble." - Jim Farmer, ARTS ATL
Photo Credit: Casey Gardner Ford
Photo Credit: Casey Gardner Ford
Photo Credit: Casey Gardner Ford
"I have heard nothing but positive feedback from everyone who attended the show on Sunday, the most impactful from one of my fellow leaders who said it was an amazing event and one of the best Lotus events. She continued to say:
“It made ME feel seen when at the end they all shared their ethnic names. I’ve NEVER been in a room in the US where so many shared their ethnic names. I seldom share my middle name and always feel weird sharing it and ‘clause’/caveat with, ‘it’s my Chinese name…’ but after the performance I realize I don’t have to feel ‘ashamed’ of it.” That’s so impactful, a simple act that broke a barrier to foster inclusion.
Several people have told me that they felt it was one of if not the best event they have attended, that they found the performance to be beautifully done from engaging in/with the audience to the sound and lighting, the movements and dance, they could tell a lot of work went into the production and there is a resounding theme of appreciation for the cultural representation. One of my fellow leads told me she had never experienced Atlanta theatre before Sunday, so we’ve brought new people to Atlanta theatre through Synchronicity!" - Synchronicity Board Member
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2024),
Ma / Jade Dragon / Amah / Mother Lion / Bride / Painter Chen
Written by Jeannine Coulombe
Directed by Justin Anderson, Synchronicity Theatre
Assistant Directed by Frances Chang
This wonderful adaptation of Grace Lin's novel based on Chinese folklore follows the adventures of young Minli who saves her family and her dragon friend through selfless acts of kindness.
Review: ATL ARTS
"As Minli’s parents, referred to only as Ba and Ma, Toru Shimoji and Charlene Hong White are more subdued. Being that they represent the material reality that Minli inhabits, it makes sense that they would be more grounded than fantastical. The two of them form the emotional bedrock of the story, particularly White, whose arc is perhaps the most dynamic and tenderly performed." - Luke Evans
Review: Broadway World
"Charlene Hong White is the fearsome mother Jade Dragon as well as Minli’s own mother, turning from disgruntled to sentimental as her daughter journeys on." - Amanda Theriot-Greenwell
Featured: American Theatre Magazine
Interview: Xperimental Puppetry Theater (XPT)
First Look: Broadway World
"Don't Stand in Front of the Microwave" and
Other Things My Mother Told Me (Premiere, 2023)
Written by Charlene Hong White
Directed by Charlene Hong White, Barking Legs Theater
This work is a one-act semi-autobiographical play about growing up as an Asian-American woman in White suburbia.
KWEEN (Premiere, 2023),
Dahvy
Written by Vichet Chum
Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh, South Carolina New Play Festival
A pair of Cambodian-American sisters struggle with the aftermath of their father's deportation.
Unmasking: Elders Speak (Premiere, 2023),
Momota Ghosh
Written by Peggy Douglas
Directed by Anne Swedberg, Barking Legs Theater
In this original play, interviews from twelve local senior members of Chattanooga are distilled into short monologues and performed by local actors.
Watch the full performance here! Charlene's monologue begins at 48:42.
Seussical (2023),
Orchestra (Violin)
The beloved characters of Dr. Seuss come to life!
"Entr'acte" (from Seussical)
Watch the orchestra participate in the antics of the Cat in the Hat!
Tree of Life (World Premiere, 2023),
Jean
Written by Victor Wishna
Directed by Tony Humrichouser, American Gothic Performing Arts
A leader of a small Jewish congregation in Iowa considers what it means to let go of what he holds dear in order to sustain life anew.
Photo Credit: Cara Langhauser
Tuck Everlasting (2023),
Carny/Ensemble
Directed by Jennifer Arbogast Wilson, Chattanooga State Fine Arts
What is life without death? A beloved children's novel is adapted for the stage.
Chess: The Musical (2023),
Orchestra (Violin)
Directed by Jessica Theiss, One Night in Bangkok Productions
Music Directed by Terry Sanford
A theatrical musical based on an idea by Tim Rice explores the Cold War era through the lens of the Chess world championships.
Feathers and Teeth (2022),
Ellie's Voice and Memory
Directed by Steve Ray, UTC Theatre Co.
In this fast-paced horror comedy by one of the co-writers of Encanto, a young girl is determined to avenge her mother's death by nurturing and unleashing mysterious, murderous creatures.
Giant Steps: An UrBEAN Musical (2022),
Nikki Johnson (World Premiere)
Directed and Choreographed by Louie Marin-Howard, Chattanooga Theatre Centre
Music Directed by Ismael Sandoval, Chattanooga Symphony
A new work by composer Michael Dexter Marin-Howard, Giant Steps is a contemporary retelling of the Jack and the Giant Beanstalk fairytale. Nikki Johnson is an exhausted single mother in an impoverished neighborhood trying to make ends meet and to create a better life for her son.
"Beautiful" (from Giant Steps)
Composed by Michael Dexter Marin-Howard
"White’s talent as both an actor and a singer make me look forward to what she brings to roles in the future."
- Reviewer Isaac Blevins
Voices of the New Belarus (2022),
Igor Losik/Maria Karabanova (World Premiere)
Directed by Joel Sanchez, Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga
Written by exiled Ukrainian playwright Andrei Kuriechik, Voices of the New Belarus brings to life the words of real people involved in democratic protests in Belarus, many of whom were imprisoned and tortured.
Bride on the Rocks (2022),
Andrea
Directed by Sherry Landrum, Professional Actor Training Program
In David Weiner's one act play, a woman who has just been jilted at the marriage altar (Andrea) visits the hotel bar and colorfully shares her troubles with the kindly bartender.
The Game's Afoot (2022),
Aggie Wheeler
Directed by Garry Posey, Signal Mountain Playhouse
Aggie Wheeler is the young ingenue of Ken Ludwig's Sherlock-esque mystery, but what does she have hiding up her sleeve?
Pride and Prejudice (2019),
Charlotte/Housekeeper
Directed by Chelsea Zabel, Skylight Theater Collective
The classic Jane Austen romance is brought to the stage, courtesy of a facile adaptation by Jon Jory.
Bye, Bye Birdie (2013),
Mrs. MacAfee
Directed by Kent Toland, Cabot Theatre (Harvard College)
In this feel-good musical farce, Mrs. MacAfee is simply a mother trying to do right by her family while juggling her daughter's teenage angst.
The Wizard of Oz (2012),
Ensemble
Directed by Ian Merrifield, Cabot Theatre (Harvard College)
In this classic story, there is truly no place like home.
Star Ash (2012),
Helen (World Premiere)
Directed by Sarah Baptista-Pereira, Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club
at the American Repertory Theatre
In Cassandra Rasmussen's moving work about generational trauma, Helen is a World War II mother trying to raise her daughter amidst the strict rationing of wartime.
"Hong plays Helen as [a] woman pulled in every direction by different needs she can’t satisfy. “Why won’t you eat what I grow?” Hong wails, as she translates her daughter’s refusal to eat the vegetables she worked so hard to cultivate into an assault on her ability as a mother... Scenes like this...are electric in the hands of such capable actors."
Full review here: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/10/10/cheating-death-hrdc/