Last night, I went to the opening of Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo. I brought the perfect date to the show with me. My good friend...also a student of mine...I can pretty much count on her to come with me to any sort of show like this....hahaha...(I'm sure she'll just LOVE that comment)
Anyways...Knowing that this was an invitation for the opening, I had to make sure that I was in "work mode"....I dolled myself up and prepared myself for....REPORTERS!!!...I haven't really been out in the public for a while...so, I figured it was time for me to make some sort of appearance.....We got to the venue early so that we could pick up tickets and so that I could take photos and get interviewed.
Just a brief note.....I have been working hard in the past few weeks to keep in shape. And, I have been exercising...A LOT....way above the average person....sometimes 2 or 3 times daily.....So, I have been feeling pretty good about my body. I wasn't worried about seeing reporters like I usually am....until the first thing that one reporter said to me was, "oh, you look like you've gained some weight. Have you gotten fatter?". I can't tell you how much I hate that the media likes to focus on things like my weight and my love life...instead of asking things that are in conjunction to whatever I'm doing at the moment. I feel like the media needs to be more educated in things that are of importance...rather than stick to this sort of "gossip". It's going to make the next generation of local Hong Kong people only interested in stupid gossip!
So, I have definitely matured about this situation....I would probably be crying in the theatre while watching the show if this was 10 years ago. But, I've learned in the past few years that for some reason the media likes to see me and every artist upset. I've been able to push away all eating disorder tendencies because I found a new life in Hong Kong where people accept my body for what it is...I think this is a pretty big issue in HK. I don't think they understand what beautiful and healthy means. When I was just starting in the industry, I remember when I'd only eat boiled vegetables. I got my weight down to 115 lbs at my height of 5'7"!!! I was depressed and weak all the time and my skin was so sickly that I had to wear make up! During that time I got endless compliments from the local entertainment industry...that is MESSED up! I was so thin that my boobs shrunk! I look back at photos of me when I was that thin...and it is pretty scary!!!
Now that I am also working in the fitness industry, it's important that I'm healthy and strong. I think that my body definitely is more naturally strong and curvy. Because I have to starve myself in order to meet the Hong Kong standard. Well, God gave me curves and I am going to go with it! Enjoy life! Eat healthy! And exercise! Tone body over bones any day! My loyal student (who went with me last night) also told me that she read a quote somewhere that said "skinny people look good in clothes. Fit people look good naked!" hahahaha LOVE IT!!!
These past few weeks have been an adjustment for me....I'm trying real hard to stay focused and to prepare myself for what's coming up in my life. I had a few obstacles of allergies, bad coughing, lots of snot and phlegm, and then stomach problems...but, I think I'm beginning to find my groove.
I've been trying to relax these past few days before I start rehearsals for my next project. I'm excited to be cast in an original musical called "I, Ching" (in English!!!) We'll be previewing the show in LA (my hometown)...so, I'm very excited to be doing a show in my first language AND for my family and friends to be able to watch my performances.
NOTE: When I say "relax" it actually means getting up early in the morning to get in a good work out to prepare my body for rehearsals. I've been jogging, spinning, pumping, yoga-ing, dancing AND even boot camping......which I HATE because it's similar to the new trendy form of exercise known as cross fit. I'm mainly doing those workouts because my friends tell me they've seen changes in their bodies after doing these circuit training workouts....so, I've decided that I'll try doing boot camp each week for 2 months...and see what difference it has made. Hopefully, it will help with my stamina when I sing and dance......I tell my friends time and again that keeping myself fit is all part of the job....I actually like that part of my job because I like to workout and have the excuse that it's "part of my job"...but, don't like that part of my job because people in HK like stick thin girls! And let's face it...I am not stick thin and never will be unless I decide to starve myself...which I will never do because I live to EAT!!!!
Relaxing is also using my free time to exercise my voice and learn my new songs...I will talk more about the musical when we start to do more promo on it...but, the show is going to be in Sept.
I'm also in the middle of rehearsals and choreographing for the Aerial Arts Showcase happening on June 6th at Bisous. There is an "Alice in Wonderland" theme for the show. And, I will be performing with my "troupe" of girls in one of the numbers. Come and enjoy the show if you are free!
Lot's of things going on right now. I have to stay focused and really manage my time well. I have to keep my body in shape, eat healthy, practice my stuff, and enjoy.
My next thing will be the student showcase coming up on June 6th for Aerial Arts Academy. I am choreographing a number AND performing in it as well. I had my first rehearsal with my girls on Wed night and it went EXTREMELY well. I'm looking forward to finishing the 2nd half of the routine!
I'm also in the middle of a recording project...that will hopefully be complete after May 30th...
And, I have started to study my script and songs for an upcoming original musical that I will be rehearsing for in Hong Kong but previewing in LA. So..that will be keeping me busy up until the end of Sept. In the meantime...I will try to arrange a gig with my "Boyz" sometime in July or August.
So, I have been away in the U.S. for a month now. I'm just getting back on Hong Kong time but I still feel myself getting tired early and waking up super early. I had a great trip..and as usual I'm going through my withdrawals....but, it's back to work here in HK.
When I was back in the states I was able to do a reading for a fabulous original musical called "Great Wall" which won the American Harmony Prize. The musical was written by Kevin So and the reading was directed by Kevin Merritt...I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to work with both Kevin's on this reading and hope to work with them again soon!
The poster for the "Great Wall" reading on Feb 6, 2012
The theatre that we did it in.
Upcoming...I will have a show at Backstage on March 8th at 9:30pm in celebration of my birthday. I've got a stellar band again!!! Ted Lo on keys, Eugene Pao on guitar, Scott Dodd on bass, and Jack Greminger on drums. I am looking forward to celebrating with this performance and having a few special guests come and sing for me. I will also be playing a few of my original songs. I hope to see you there!!!
2012 has started off pretty well for me. It has been all about endless eating and spending time with family…which I LOVE!!! I finally accomplished what I had set out to accomplish in 2011 and I feel good about it. Performing my own songs in front of people has been a big struggle for me . First of all, sharing my own songs...that's personal...and, well...nobody likes to hear..."you're song sucks!" ....and playing guitar in front of people is another struggle that I've started to overcome...my hands used to shake whenever I played in front of people...and I started to force myself to play in front of my family and friends....it's a little better now....anyways....my solution....don't care too much...yup! It's that simple...The only way I'm going to improve in anything is if I don't care too much about what people think! Because in the end, that is exactly what is going to prevent me from taking risks. And everyone has to start somewhere...Of course, this is easier said than done....baby steps...baby steps...
In the past, my biggest struggle had been...my weight and appreciating the figure that God gave me. Unfortunately, in Hong Kong, my sort of figure is not really appreciated...and living in Hong Kong....being told that I was fat....made me hate my body....and started my endless struggle with eating and trying to lose weight. Luckily, I was able to finally decide to not care about what others thought about my body and enjoy eating and embrace my curves. I think, just by thinking this way, my body has definitely been less of a yo yo and I've definitely been able to get past my eating disorder....My dad did make a comment this past week about my butt...and what sort of exercise could I do to make it smaller....my answer "I'd rather have a huge ass as opposed to no ass". So...I'm a little better with handling the comments...and appreciating even the bigger parts of my body......I think Pole Dancing has definitely made me more comfortable with my body....I recommend it to all women who want to build their confidence.....
Anyways....that will be my biggest new years resolution for 2012....to not care...and to take risks! Of course, I do have a lot of other things on my list...and I hope to conquer them all!!!
Marsha is truly a unique and talented artist. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and studied musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Manhattan, New York. While attending AMDA, she trained in singing, acting, and various types of dance including jazz, tap, and ballet. After graduation, Marsha decided to pursue her career in Hong Kong. She began as a model for Elite Modeling Agency. Then, when she unexpectedly entered in the 1999 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, she received 1st runner-up and continued on to represent Hong Kong and China in the 1999 Miss World Pageant in London. Marsha’s acting career began with the hit TVB sitcom “War of the Genders”. Her character in the sitcom brought her recognition throughout Hong Kong and parts of China. After working for TVB for 1 year, she decided to venture outside of Television and start working in film.
Marsha began her film career in action and martial arts movies for which she had to undergo rigorous training. The hard work paid off as she is now known for her martial arts abilities and it has become one of her many strengths. Marsha also starred in the legendary comedy “Men Suddenly in Black” as well as its sequel. “Men Suddenly in Black 2” has become a box office hit in Hong Kong and her performance in this film has been well received by viewers.
Over the last few years, Marsha has focused her career on live performances in music and dance. She has participated in many musicals in Hong Kong including “Sound of Music”, “Annie”, “Hong Kong Nocturne” and “Musical Moments”. And internationally, she was invited to perform in the “Andrew Lloyd Webber Gala” in Estonia along with top vocalists from New York, London, Norway, and Germany. She released her own album in 2006 and has been in the live jazz music scene ever since.
“I love to perform it’s my passion in life. I want to sing, dance, and touch people’s hearts with my passion…”
Help support Marsha Yuan. Get registered to join their fan network, create your own profile, and connect with other friends and artists.
Help support Marsha Yuan. Get registered to join their fan network, create your own profile, and connect with other friends and artists. Already joined? Login now
The poster for the "Great Wall" reading on Feb 6, 2012
The theatre that we did it in.Upcoming...I will have a show at Backstage on March 8th at 9:30pm in celebration of my birthday. I've got a stellar band again!!! Ted Lo on keys, Eugene Pao on guitar, Scott Dodd on bass, and Jack Greminger on drums. I am looking forward to celebrating with this performance and having a few special guests come and sing for me. I will also be playing a few of my original songs. I hope to see you there!!!
