Bio

Naya Chang was born in Taipei Taiwan, R.O.C, and came to the United States at the age of 14 to pursue violin training at the Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA. Shortly after her arrival to the States, she discovered music composition and started studying music theory and composition as she continued her violin training. Naya went to Brandeis University majoring in music and minoring in theatre. She later discovered violin improvisation, which became her favorite form of violin playing.

Naya fell in love with theatre during her senior year in college. After she graduated, Naya worked in several theatres such as American Repertory Theatre, Handel and Haydn Society, New Repertory Theatre, CompanyOne, Underground Railway Theatre and Theatre Zone all of which are in Boston, MA. At the American Repertory Theatre, Naya had the privilege of working with director Chen Shi-Zheng and director Robert Woodruff for the productions of Snow In June and Oedipus, each of whom have served as Naya’s long term inspiration for pursuing theatre directing.

Naya went on to pursue an MFA in acting with a special emphasis in directing at Brandeis University.  Naya was trained in directing, acting, dancing, stage combat, voice/speech work and singing at the MFA program. She was a member of Brandeis Theater Company which culminated in her directing the main stage production,along with her professor Eric Hill,  The Orphan of Zhao, a Chinese story which she helped adapt for a Western stage.

Naya has a passion for theatre arts education and taught a theatre course she developed called “Speak, Act, Because We Care” at the Urban Scholars Program at University of Massachusetts Boston. She believes in the power of self-expression and fostering encouraging environments in which students can empower themselves, while exploring the world of performing arts. Naya is also passionate about connecting Eastern and Western cultures, as well as understanding human nature as it relates to social issues.

Last year, Naya successfully conducted a research working as a research project manager for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Taipei, Taiwan, focusing on 6 successful music festivals and educational programs which are produced and/or associated with symphony orchestras around the globe.

Naya was the assistant director for an original opera called “La Peintre, Yu-Lin” produced by the NSO in Taiwan.  She worked side by side with the French opera director Juliette Deschamps. The opera premiered on July 8, 2010 at the National Theater Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.

Currently, Naya is working as a stage designer and director for the concert “Wu Man and Taiwanese Aboriginal Friends” which is commissioned by the National Theater Concert Hall as a part of the Taiwan International Festival of the Arts 2012 and will premiere at the main stage of National Concert Hall in Taiwan on March 24, 2012.