Cornell (thank) U

How Lily Tung Crystal Is Changing Who Gets Seen on Stage

Cornell (thank) U Season 5 Episode 223

Asian Americans make up a small percentage of artists on major stages — and Lily Tung Crystal is actively changing that.

Lily is the artistic director of East West Players, the nation’s largest and longest-running Asian American theater company. She shares her journey from Cornell to Shanghai to Minneapolis to Los Angeles, and how her work is reshaping who gets hired, who gets supported, and whose stories are told.

We talk about representation, leadership, and why lasting change in the arts takes systems — not just talent — along with the creativity and care that make live theater matter.

We had so much fun with Lily. Fun fact: she’s a sorority sister we hadn’t connected with since 1990!

Read about Lily here:

https://www.eastwestplayers.org/blog/ewp-announces-artistic-director-lily-tung-crystal

Find East West Players and their schedule here:

https://www.eastwestplayers.org/


And a special thank you to Beth Storz, a recent guest and sorority sister, for making the connection.

Not sponsored or affiliated with Cornell University