Meet Ali Chen
Who am I? Well, my name is Ali Chen and I’m cast as the Asian American best friend to the girl next door. The professional. And every once in a blue moon, the new immigrant fresh off the boat.
How in the world did I end up as an actor/writer/improvisor/producer/director in Los Angeles of all things? Well, that’s a long story. It involves everything from Shakespeare in London, to casting feature films, to playwrighting to writing and producing a multi-camera comedy for the internet with a live studio audience to directing and producing sketches and other pieces for the internet. (When it comes to comedy that little bit of quirkiness often comes to the surface. It comes from growing up Asian American in the Midwest.)
But I can tell you that I find acting and writing to be a wonderful way of sharing that bit of humanity in each of us. The moment when the acting and writing amplifies the story and we all go, “Oh!” and we recognize a part of us in the character that’s being portrayed. And we realize that we’re not the only one going “Oh!” and that we’re a part of a greater community of humans.
Going through this life together.
That’s part of the reason I do it. That, and just the simple fact that I love good stories. And love taking part in the telling of them.
Ali Chen Bio
Writer Bio
Ali began writing at age eight when she realized she could integrate her passion for office supplies with the ability to share the stories in her head. To this day she’s in pursuit of the perfect pen and of ways to share great stories – and it’s guided her beyond a life as a scientific and technical journalist into one as an actor (War Dogs, Shameless, CSI), an improviser (UCB, iO West), a sketch comedy performer (The Second City Hollywood), and a director/producer/writer (L.A. BEER, Good Night, Sweet Clementine, and more.) Raised as a Wisotan (Wisconsin-Minnesotan) Asian American, Ali continues to share her quirky version of Midwestern ethnic comedy with the world.
Want to see Ali’s comedy writing in action? Watch the episode she wrote of the “L.A. BEER” web series entitled “Glendale Grope.”
G-Ali-rey
News
Soap Opera Improv shows
Join Ali as she plays Marnie Chevalier in the Improvised Soap Opera “Tumblewoods Cove” at the Outside In Theatre’s Artbox space located at 5317 York
Performing Sketch at UCB
Come watch Ali perform the sketch “Tidying Up Trump” at UCB on 28 July 2023 as one half of The Dunning & Kruger Effect sketch
Ali’s Improvising Live!
In Los Angeles? Come watch Ali perform at Outside In’s Artbox Theatre, 5319 York Boulevard, 90042, LIVE this Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 PM in
UCB Show
Ali’s performing with her Sketch Team, THE DUNNING & KRUGER EFFECT at UCB during the Not Too Shabby Hour, Friday, July 28th, 2023 in the
Show’s Streaming
One of Ali’s recent bookings is now streaming on Netflix. Look her up as Julie on “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” Season
Walking the Beat – Summer Teaching Artist Residency
Ali’s one of two Teaching Artists who has been hired for the summer of 2023 by the Fountain Theatre guide High Schoolers from Compton, Hawthorne,
Ali Chen
Actor
"Sometimes
I just can't help it.
Sometimes the mischevious
part of me just has to
come out and play."
Ali Chen
Voiceover Artist
Voiceover Work
Listen to the voice of Ali ChEN
Commercial & E-Learning Demo
Golden Brain
Solutions
Golden Brain Solutions
is
an independent contracting business
for your
Acting Coach, Teaching Artist,
Instructional Design,
and Voice-Over needs.
What is a
Golden
Brain?
A golden brain is one where the right and the left hemispheres are used equally.
It is the balance of art and science, creativity and reasoning, intuition and logic.
I’ve been tested and I’m a golden brain. It’s exciting! It’s somewhat rare. And it describes perfectly what I bring to all aspects of my art.
As a Voiceover Artist
it’s the balance of
speech and improvisation –
making creative choices
that fits a project
As an Actor
it’s the ability to blend
the technical aspects
of the craft with the
visceral to communicate
in a grounded way –
whether it’s comedy or drama.
As a Teaching Artist
it’s the joy of integrating the arts
with science, math, history,
social justice, and English.
Testimonials
“Ali is such a supportive and giving coach. She always takes the time to research the project you are working on, so she comes to the table fully prepared. She creates a safe environment for you to work and play in. She provides insightful observations that are easy to put into action. She is encouraging, and yet able to give constructive feedback in a really useful way. I love working with Ali, because I know when I walk away from the session, that I’ll have a fantastic audition that I’m proud to submit.”
“Ali Chen is the best! Her coaching pushes you to your best audition! Her attention to detail is remarkable. Her coaching has led me to many bookings in the last year and is invaluable!”
“When I was afraid to transition to self-taping Ali came to the rescue. She’s gotten it down to a science and will help you put together your best audition while making the experience effective and fun. She helped me so much. I feel so fortunate to have Ali’s insight and direction just a Zoom away.”
Movement and music can be used to teach biology and math and history can be used to teach music, movement, social justice and history. They become parts of a whole that are woven into the lesson plan using California Arts Standards/Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Standards.
Contact Ali via Golden Brain Solutions when you’re in need of a certified Teaching Artist for integrated lessons in science, history, English, social justice, writing, music, theatre, movement, new media, and improvisation.
Contact Ali
Theatrical
Pinnacle Talent
A division of Amsel, Eisenstadt, Frazier & Hinojosa, Inc.
Danita Florance
323.939.5440 ext. 1002
Commercial
True Artists Agency
Jamie Hernandez Pritchard
Alicia Ruskin
commerials@trueartistsagency.com
Find Ali on the Internet:
Ali Recommends:
Community
DIRECTORS/FILMMAKERS
ACTORS/IMPROVISORS/SKETCH ARTISTS
Voices of Color/Voices of a Global Majority
WRITERS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
SERVICES
Kristine Oller – Coach & Strategist
Dana Middleton – The Aligned Artist – Creative Coach, Affirmation Coach, EFT Practitioner
HackRepair.com – website hack fixer
GRACE