Kim's Convenience

YONG KIM (Appa), having made a later start in acting, debuted at Sundance in Gordy Hoffman's DOG BOWL, and returned to Sundance in Andrew Ahn's Spirit Award winner SPA NIGHT. Recent small screen roles include THE SHRINK NEXT DOOR (Apple TV), THE VALET (HULU) and THE LEAGUE (FX). Yong's performance at the San Diego Rep as Uncle in Julia Cho's AUBERGINE was met with critical acclaim. Raised in 7 countries/5 continents, he has a PhD from the London School of Economics and a BA from Trinity College, Cambridge. Yong resides in Koreatown, Los Angeles.

GAVIN KAWIN LEE (Jung) is an actor who grew up on the mean streetz of the OC. He learned early on to never back down from a fight, and thus he became the notorious kingpin of his local jungle gym. The quarters were rolling in and he had all the Skittles and Tootsie Roll Pops at his disposal, but something was amiss. He soon grew tired of all the noogies, Indian burns, and overall shot-calling to keep his minions in line. Renouncing his gangsta ways, he sought a better life for himself. He devoted the rest of his life to putting smiles on people's faces rather than purging them. This somehow led to an acting career. Recent theatre credits include Dang in Hannah and the Dread Gazebo at the Fountain Theatre, M in Cock at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, and V.C. alongside Al Pacino in The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel at The Wallis. TV credits include a recurring role on The Orville and supporting roles on Timeless, The Rookie, Shameless, among others. He is honored to be a part of Laguna Playhouse’s production of Kim’s Convenience and excited to work with an amazing cast, director, and team. If you see Gavin on the streetz, please don't fear his intimidating presence. He likes hugs. WORD.

SUSANE LEE (Janet) is thrilled and honored to be making her debut at Laguna Playhouse. Born in New York, raised in Texas, and now based in Los Angeles, Susane graduated from Duke University with a BS in Psychology, minor in Theatre. susaneLand, a dark comedy series she created, co-wrote, and starred in premiered at Sundance and went on to win Best Short-Form Comedy at the New York TV Fest, Best Short Comedy at ITVFest, and Best Actress at Cinema Jove (Spain). Select credits: Gilmore Girls, Madam Secretary, Grey’s Anatomy, Rizzoli & Isles, & Snowfall. More at: www.susane-e-lee.com and on IG/Twitter: @susanelee

CLINTON LOWE (Alex) most recently played Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Mountaintop (TheatreSquared). Select Theatre credits: Holler If Ya Hear Me workshop (Broadway musical inspired by the work of Tupac Shakur, dir. Tony Award winner, Kenny Leon); The First Deep Breath (World Premiere, Victory Gardens Theater, BTAA Best Featured Actor), and Kill Move Paradise (World Premiere, National Black Theater, New York Times Critics' Pick). Select Film/TV credits: American Gangster (starring Denzel Washington & Russell Crowe, dir. Ridley Scott), Time Out of Mind (starring Richard Gere); “Insecure” (HBO), "The Hustle” (Series Regular, Fuse TV), and “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC). He trained at William Esper Studio in his hometown of New York City. 

JANET SONG (Umma) is delighted to be making her Laguna Playhouse debut. Select theatre credits include Hannah and the Dread Gazebo (Fountain Theatre), Urinetown (Coeurage Theatre), 100 Aprils (Rogue Machine), and Tea, With Music (East West Players). She has also had the pleasure of working with Lodestone Theatre, Boston Court, and the Celebration, among others. You’ve probably seen her on tv, or heard an audiobook she narrated. She is forever grateful to her family, and dedicates this performance to her own Appa 아빠 and Umma 엄마, whose love, determination, and sacrifices made it possible for their family to thrive. 

JON LAWRENCE RIVERA (Director) is the Founding Artistic Director of Playwrights’ Arena, and the recipient of the first Career Achievement Award from Stage Raw. He recently directed the following world premieres for Playwrights’ Arena: APARTMENT LIVING by Boni B. Alvarez, A HIT DOG WILL HOLLER by Inda Craig-Galván, SOUTHERNMOST by Mary Lyon Kamitaki, BABY EYES by Donald Jolly, BLOODLETTING by Boni B. Alvarez (also at Kirk Douglas Theatre), @THE SPEEDOFJAKE by Jennifer Maisel, CINNAMON GIRL by Velina Hasu Houston and Nathan Wang (also in Beijing), THE ANATOMY OF GAZELLAS by Janine Salinas Schoenberg, GIRL MOST LIKELY TO by Michael Premrirat, and Euripides’ HELEN by Nick Salamone (at the Getty Villa). Other recent work includes: ANNA IN THE TROPICS by Nilo Cruz, OBAMA-OLOGY by Aurin Squire, THE JOY LUCK CLUB by Susan Kim, THE LAST FIVE YEARS by Jason Robert Brown, CRIERS FOR HIRE by Giovanni Ortega, BINGO HALL by Dillon Chitto, FAIRLY TRACEABLE by Mary Kathryn Nagle, STAND-OFF AT HWY #37 by Vickie Ramirez, and the landmark Los Angeles Premiere of DOGEATERS by Jessica Hagedorn at SIPA and Krik Douglas Theatre. Rivera is also the recipient of a NY Fringe Festival Award (for directng HILLARY AGONISGTES), and an LA Weekly Award (for directing SEA CHANGE).