Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Xiao
Hi Peter, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Beijing into a family of scientists. None of my relatives were artists or worked in the entertainment industry. My grandfather is a retired botany professor at Peking University, and my parents graduated with degrees in pharmacy and chemistry. Growing up, I was always encouraged to pursue a career in science, with the arts being considered merely extracurricular until high school.
In 2016, I moved to the United States for high school. Initially, I had no clear direction or plan for my life. The first two years were a struggle as I grappled with the language barrier and tried to adapt to an unfamiliar culture. It felt like I was in hell, with darkness gradually consuming my soul.
During my junior year, a friend informed me that the school’s theater club was holding auditions for “You Can’t Take It With You.” I had some acting experience from elementary and middle school, so I decided to give it a try, despite my still-developing English skills. To my surprise, I landed a small role as Donald, the Sycamore family’s volunteer handyman. Whether it was due to my unique perspective as the only person of color at the audition or simply because they needed more people, I was thrilled to be a part of the play.
From that moment on, I fell in love with acting. I participated in all the plays and musicals during my last two years of high school and decided to pursue an acting major in college. I was accepted into NYU Tisch and studied at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. The journey was transformative. Not only did I perfect my language skills, but I also found a community where I truly belonged. I made friends who shared my interests, and this community nurtured me into an actor, a film and theater casting director, a loving person, a proactive doer, and so many other possibilities I had never imagined.
Now that I have graduated, I am proud of the person I have become, thanks to the people I have met and the support I received. I am grateful for their contributions to my growth, and with that love and gratitude in mind, I am determined to pass it on to others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Certainly not. Getting to know a different culture was incredibly challenging. I struggled with loneliness for years, unable to talk to anyone because I didn’t understand them. Classes were hard, my grades suffered, and anxiety was a constant companion. I always felt like a foreigner in this country.
When I decided to apply for an acting degree, I had no idea how much preparation it would require. I prepared for the auditions alone, traveling by bus and plane to New York and Texas for auditions. I did almost everything by myself, and now, looking back, I wish I had someone by my side.
Facing enormous challenges and striving for excellence was not easy. I have always been a perfectionist; if I do something, I want to do it perfectly. This applied to acting, casting, and living in such a competitive community. It took me years to realize that I won’t always be the best, but I believe I can achieve great things and that I am the best version of myself right now.
I am my own most powerful enemy. I don’t get anything positive from my nemesis. I will never defeat him, but I am learning to coexist with him and accept him as a part of me. This journey of self-discovery continues, and I embrace it fully.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently I am a freelancing actor and casting director that is based in NY but also works in LA!
I am proud to be an Asian international actor and casting director. I want to be the voice of under-represented Asian actors in the industry and a person of love and inspiration for everyone.
I am known for casting student thesis films and some short series in NY and LA. I have cast over 40 thesis films and a couple of short vertical drama series. Films I have cast have garnered well-known awards and official selections in festival circuits, such as the 2023 DGA Student Film Jury Award, the 2023 CineYouth Festival Best Drama, the Asian American International Film Festival, NFFTY, and many more! I believe the job of a casting director is to discover and magnify each actor’s unique perspective of the character.
My work can be found at www.peterxiaowy.com. The photos are the some acting and casting stills I have done!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would love to introduce myself, my mission, and my goal to all of you who are interested in art and entertainment! If you want to collaborate together or maybe something excited that I can be part of, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Instagram: @peterxiao325
617-893-9973
[email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peterxiaowy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterxiao325/
