About
How it all started
After being adopted from An Khe (a town in Vietnam), I was raised in Seattle, WA where I followed in my sister's footsteps by joining team sports. Somewhere along the way, I traded my basketball shoes for jazz shoes. This decision sparked a passion for theatre that would lead me to incredible youth programs at prominent Seattle regional theatres, performing on the stages of the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre and ArtsWest Playhouse.
This spark then led me all the way to Boston, MA where I graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. In addition to performance coursework and projects, I served as the Co-Chair of POWER (Protesting Oppression With Educational Reform), an activist collective of students of color.
Now based in New York City, I strive to create an inclusive and equitable community in my work, both in the audience and within the company. I believe that theater with authentic representation can begin to dismantle outdated and harmful beliefs, bringing about cultural revolution
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News and Updates
Max had the immense pleasure of returning to the Palace Theatre in February-March, where he joined the amazing company of Escape to Margaritaville, as Ensemble and U/S Brick.
He remains so grateful to the amazing team at the Palace for welcoming him back and continuing to make Manchester feel like an artistic home.
In early February, Max got the opportunity to bring She Sings Me Home by Artemis Montague, a story about Black/brown trans and queer people, to life in a reading at Caveat in NYC!
New work continues to be at the heart of his career goals and, as Edward Lee-Shah, this was another special opportunity to play an Asian person on stage!
Max was absolutely thrilled to head up to the Catskills to Join Forestburgh Playhouse's 2024 "In the Works-In the Woods" Festival at the beginning of September!
He performed as Weber/Salesperson and Others in a staged reading of Rebel Genius by Matthew Puckett, directed by Noah Himmelstein and music directed by Nicholas James Connell.
Max was fortunate enough to return to the Summer Theatre of New Canaan during the last part of summer to join the two actor adaptation of the Adventures of Robinhood, as the hooded hero himself!
This action packed production was directed by Christian Libonati, featuring a brand new concept, staging the retelling in a school gym
This marked his first foray into armed stage combat!
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In June, Max was lucky enough to join the team of Turnover: A New Leaf, a new "plant based" musical by David Quang Pham about immigration, generational trauma and queerness, told through sentient plants.
This marked the first time Max got to play a queer and Vietnamese character on stage, and he was so thrilled to do so and take part in building the character of Parsley Ram.
Upon returning to the city, Max returned to the Monkey Tribe to do a one night concert version of Monkey King, this time stepping into the role of Dragon King!
This concert version was again directed by Steven Eng.
Many thanks to the Fadner's and Landmark on Main for a lovely night of monkeying around!
In mid February, Max traveled to Manchester, NH to join the amazing cast of The Prom at the Palace Theatre, dancing up a storm and playing Kevin!
This incredible production was Directed by Carl Rajotte and Co-Choreographed by Carl Rajotte and Sebastian Goldberg
Returning to TYA and New Work, Max was ecstatic to join TheaterWorksUSA's innaugural tour of Dot, Dot, Dot: A New Musical by Keelay Gipson and Sam Salmond, with direction by Jesca Prudencio.
He played Leon/Painting of Whaterever and Others, teaching kids all up and down the East Coast how to create bravely.
Max was thrilled to spend June-July of 2023 rehearsing and performing in Beauty and the Beast at the Summer Theatre of New Canaan in CT, as part of the Ensemble, and LeFou U/S.
This production was directed by Melody Libonatti and Choreographed by Doug Shankman.
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In February 2023, Max joined the cast of The Monkey King at the Queens Theatre (directed by Steven Eng) as the Male Understudy (for Jade Emperor, Dragon King, and Immortal of the Forest)
He was very grateful to finally get connected with NYC's vibrant Asian theatre community and play even a small part in bringing this story to life!
In October 2022, Max was lucky enough to join Round Room Live's touring production of Baby Shark Live! directed and choreographed by Jaimie Selke.
He is a part of the ensemble and featured playing Major Penguin, one of the Forest Rangers and Santa in the Holiday version!
For Show dates, locations and ticket info, click here
For one night only, Max had the pleasure of joining the Drunk Musicals cast of Bitches the Musical (a parody of Heathers) as part of the ensemble!
Much love to the entire DM team for the fun filled experience.
Following the closing of Shrek, Max made his way to Ft. Myers, FL to join the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre's production of the Wizard of Oz as a member of the ensemble!
He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do what he loves and soak up some sunshine while at it!
Max was so grateful to spend the first part of the Summer of 2022 at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, performing in Shrek the Musical directed by Quin Gresham and Choregraphed by Phillip Attmore.
He performed in the ensemble as Peter Pan, and one of the Dragon Puppeteers among other roles
Max was thrilled to be making his NYC theatre/Off Broadway debut with Vital Theatre Company's Pinkalicious the Musical as Peter Pinkerton!
This show sparked a love for TYA that has continued to thrive within him since!
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