HEADLINES

From Bangkok to New York, meet the Broadway performer everyone is talking about : Sy Chounchaisit.


Right Photography: Sy Chounchaisit starring in Goodspeed Musicals’ “Anything Goes“

Born in Thailand, Sy Chounchaisit is a professional performer and photographer based in New York City. Casted in the most prominent musicals as a performer and featured in magazines for her visual works, she is an accomplished artist living the dream.

Sy Chounchaisit grew up in Bangkok, where she started exploring various artistic expressions at a young age, from vocal, dance, to art classes. She was a busy child, and she showed early signs of talent and determination when she was only 4 years old. She knew back then that singing and dancing would be bound to who she is.

She decided to become a full time professional artist when she was in High School. It clicked when she performed in the musical “Into The Woods“ and realized she could combine all the skills she had perfected, ever since she was a child.

But because the high school system in Thailand limited Sy in her artistic ambition, she decided, as she turned 16, with the full support of her family, to pursue her venture in the United States, at the Northfield Mount Hermon School (Northfield, MA). There, she was exposed to instrumental groups, a-cappella groups, dance company, art classes, plays…It’s also at that time that her uncle, an avid musician, gave her her first mirrorless camera, to document her time studying abroad in the United States.

I would use my camera to help me make friends by taking portrait photography because my English wasn’t so good. Directing my friends to pose was a way to practice English without really anyone noticing me practicing English. I started taking photos of my friends in dance company and submitting it to the school newspaper because I saw the lack of representation of art on the paper. In college, I explored the concept of self-portrait but with a little bit of movement in my portrait photography and started running with it.

 After her graduation from NMH, Sy Chounchaisit moved to New York to attend the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy, earning her BFA in Musical Theatre. There, she was trained in all disciplines including singing, dancing, and acting. She was inspired and influenced by professors who are also working professionals, such as Chryssie Whitehead (Chicago, A Chorus Line, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular), Dan Daily (The Wolf of Wall Street starring Leonard DiCaprio) and award winning actor Ray Virta (Therese Rquin starring Keira Knightley).

With her outstanding talent, her extended training and experience, it’s no surprise that Sy was remarked by professionals in the musical industry, and signed with Daniel Hoff Agency.

Now a busy professional, Sy became the performer that she envisioned when she was a child, starring with her idols.

Sy has come a long way since her high school musical in Massachusetts. She never stopped performing, learning, touring, working and travelling. She deserves the success and the recognition she’s been receiving over the years, from the top industry professionals, as she played in Goodspeed Musicals’ “Anything Goes“, in “Mamma Mia!“, and most recently in the virtual production “Sticks & Stones“, produced by none the less than Lady Gaga.

Casting directors couldn’t go wrong when they chose her to perform in the Legally Blonde National Tour, one of Sy’s favorites ! (and mine too)

Sy Chounchaisit played in “Baby“ The Musical Revival Off-Broadway, starring performers such as Tony Award winner Alice Ripley (Side Show, Next to Normal), Christina Sajou (Spongebob, Spiderman), Gabrielle McClinton (Pippin, Chicago), or Evan Ruggeriro (Bastard Jones).“Baby“ was nominated for Off-Broadway Alliance’s best revival, and I’m beyond excited that the remount of “Baby“, still starring Alice Ripley, and Sy Chounchaisit, is coming back this Fall !

The dates of this new production have been changed to November through December. Information and tickets : Ootbtheatrics

With a book by Sybille Pearson, music by David Shire, and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., “Baby“ follows three couples on a university campus dealing with the painful, rewarding and unexpectedly funny consequences of the universal experience of pregnancy and parenthood. The couples include two college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the thirty-somethings, having trouble conceiving but determined not to give up; and middle-aged parents, previously looking forward to an empty nest when an unexpected night of passion lands them back where they started.“ Broadwayworld, March 2020.

Always keeping a close connection with photography

As if she wasn’t busy enough, Sy has also been taking classes at the New School to further her knowledge in photography, as a way to stay connected to her roots, and her family. Sy’s proficiency and success go beyond her live performances on stage : her editorial photography has been featured in magazines such as Moevir Paris, Vous, and Poza.

Her “Hate Is A Virus” photo series went viral on social media during the rise of hate crimes toward Asians in the United States in February-March 2021. The photos were featured on ‘I Feel U’ Podcast album cover and an article on Fabulous Magazine (The Sun UK). Many of her works were also re-shared on social media by many notable photography Instagram account such as Volume 1, All About Advocacy, Portrait Goal, Portsyard, Portrait Vibrant, GVM (lighting brand), Ports_finess, Portrait Hut, Portrait Desires, Portrait Mills,and Rescue City (NYC based dog rescue.) Sy has worked with Desirée Davar (West Side Story) and Nicolas Dromard (Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins) on their virtual concert, “Superheroes In Love.” She filmed and photographed the concert which was featured on Broadway on Demand.

Follow her on Instagram | TikTok | Website | Email

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