We’re looking forward to introducing you to Todd Lien. Check out our conversation below.
Todd, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me isn’t the classic 9-to-5—entertainment doesn’t really run on office hours! My days usually start with phone, Zoom, or lunch meetings, and then around 3pm I switch gears into coaching AAPI kids on acting and auditioning after school. That keeps me busy until about 9pm, unless we’re scrambling with a last-minute audition. Nights are either spent at networking events or at home writing scripts and developing projects. It’s definitely not this exciting every day, but I try to stay mindful of my energy so I don’t burn out—recharging is part of the job too!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Todd Lien—I’m an actor, director, writer, talent manager, and the Artistic Director of iStage Entertainment. At iStage, our mission is to serve as a bridge between Hollywood and the AAPI immigrant community by elevating AAPI voices and nurturing the next generation of talent. A core part of my work is coaching young AAPI actors in auditioning and performance, but what makes iStage unique is that we don’t just train—we create real opportunities for our talents to shine in front of industry professionals and top talent agents.
I design original showcases, plays, musicals, and positive competitions tailored to highlight each student’s strengths while helping them grow in areas that need development. These productions regularly attract major industry attention, and many of our talents have signed with leading agencies, booked roles in TV shows, blockbuster films, national commercials, viral digital content, and even landed voiceover work with franchises like Marvel.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding iStage by producing bigger events, creating more exposure for our talent, and handpicking projects that set them up for long-term success. What sets us apart is that we’re not just teaching—we’re building careers and fostering a supportive artistic community that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Los Angeles for AAPI kids. At the heart of it all, my mission is simple: to empower young AAPI artists to see themselves not only as performers, but as the future of Hollywood.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My godmother has been an invaluable mentor, teaching me how to be both an entrepreneur and an effective leader through her decades of business experience. As a performing artist, I never initially envisioned myself running a company, but over the past five years—through trial and error, productions, and evolving programming—I’ve gained tremendous insight into how to build and expand a business. iStage Entertainment wouldn’t be what it is today without her support and expertise. As both advisor and business partner, she’s helped me develop the ability to navigate diverse clients, adapt my mindset to different situations, and communicate effectively with employees, volunteers, and clients alike.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—the first three years of iStage Entertainment were incredibly challenging. After almost every stage production or showcase, I often walked away feeling defeated. Everything felt chaotic and unprofessional, and I questioned whether I was failing as a businessman, acting coach, and talent manager. I was wearing every hat—director, writer, producer, acting coach, talent manager, artistic director—while also running backstage and managing kids. It was overwhelming, and I constantly worried I was wasting the kids’ time and their parents’ money.
But then, after each show, I’d receive messages from parents and kids telling me how much they loved the experience and how it had built their confidence and made them a better performer. Parents even told me they felt their children were genuinely cared for, seen, and supported—something they rarely experienced in other companies that were more focused on money than growth. Even if my productions weren’t perfect, the results spoke for themselves: kids signing with top agencies, booking roles, and gaining life-changing confidence on stage.
I came to realize that while the process may have been messy at first, the outcomes proved the method was working. Over time, I gained volunteers, interns, and collaborators who believed in the mission and wanted to help. I still strive to improve with every event, but staying true to my values—respect, genuine care, and hard work—has kept me moving forward. It may have started with imposter syndrome and a lot of “fake it till you make it,” but not giving up over the past five years has become one of the things I’m most proud of, both for myself and for iStage.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think one of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that every kid is a star—or can be one. The truth is, being a “star” is the hardest thing to achieve in Hollywood, and yet so many schools and programs sell that dream to kids and parents as if it’s guaranteed. The performing arts industry for kids is especially tricky because, of course, every child wants to feel like a star—whether in school, at an agency, or on a big stage. Unfortunately, this has opened the door for scams and empty promises, where families are pressured into spending large amounts of money on services that are more about profit than genuine growth.
The reality is that success in this business isn’t about chasing stardom—it’s about education, training, and growth. At iStage, I focus on helping kids get better every day, measure success against their own progress, and build confidence in their craft. That way, even if the industry doesn’t label them a “star,” they can still take pride in being accomplished, skilled, and authentic artists. For AAPI kids especially, breaking into Hollywood can be an uphill climb, so I believe we have to equip them with resilience, perspective, and self-worth that lasts beyond auditions and titles.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
This question resonates deeply with me because for much of my life, I was doing what I was told to do. I was told I was good at piano, so I practiced endlessly, competed, and collected trophies. I was told to become a doctor by my traditional Taiwanese family, so before college even began, I committed to pre-med and declared a major in biochemistry. Every decision I made was calculated to get me into the best medical school in the country.
But when my grandparents—the very reason I was pursuing medicine—passed away, I lost all sense of purpose. The only thing that kept me going was singing. Something inside me had pushed me to minor in music, and performing on stage every quarter became the highlight of my college years. When I started entering competitions like The Voice of China (North America) and Chinese Idol (North America), I realized what had been missing all along: performing.
After earning my MFA in Acting for Film, I stumbled into teaching kids acting, and during COVID in 2020, I felt a strong calling to start my own company. I wanted to use my skills and industry connections to help young performers—especially from immigrant families—pursue their dreams, so they wouldn’t spend decades chasing someone else’s like I did.
Looking back, even when I thought I was meant to be a doctor, I was drawn to pediatrics—again, working with kids. Now, as an actor, director, producer, talent manager, and Artistic Director of iStage Entertainment, I’ve come full circle. I get to combine everything I’ve learned to help kids grow, find their voices, and succeed on their own terms. This isn’t what I was told to do—it’s what I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.istageentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/istageentertainment
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@istageentertainment
Image Credits
Jime Sechinbaatar
Lyn Yang
