Stefanie Wong
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Stefanie Diane Wong is an Atlanta based filmmaker, actor, artivist, and student of martial arts who is committed to storytelling bent towards social justice and centering the experiences of marginalized populations.
Wong, who is of Dominican and Chinese-Jamaican ancestry was born in Miami, Florida to two immigrant parents that met in a Art History course at Miami Dade College. Since Wong was four years old, she always had an affinity for performing on stage, whether at school or local community events; Wong's very first performance was reciting the poem "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou.
At the age of seven, Wong's family noticed her talent and gave her the opportunity to join a dance class or a martial arts class, Wong enrolled in Taekwondo passing over Jazz and Hip Hop dance class, for her first martial arts class at Don Shula's Athletic Club in Miami, Florida. After diligently training, Wong tested successfully for her belt.
By 11 years old, Wong was recommitted to continuing to develop her craft in performing arts. She begged her mom to allow her to apply for an arts magnet program at Parkway Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida so that she could concentrate on musical theater. After being accepted, Stefanie was casted in every major musical production including: Honk, Jr., Once on this Island, Jr., and Bugsy Malone, Jr.
By 14 years old, Wong had no desire to end her practice and was accepted to attend Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While still majoring in musical theater, Wong, again, was casted in every production, this time expanding her knowledge base by learning about directing and tech as well as costume and props design. Wong was featured in productions like: Pippen, The Most Massive Woman Wins, and The Bluest Eye. Wong then transferred to South Plantation High School and continued to be a student in their musical theater program where she was featured in productions like: The Wiz, Aladdin, and Alice in Wonderland under the leadership of artistic director, Jason Zembuch-Young (Special Tony Award Winner for Educators). Wong even took up roles in community theater acting in the production of Sisters! A Celebration of the Human Spirit at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Brownsville, Florida.
After High School, Wong attended Florida International University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Business. While there, she was also an International Exchange student studying at Victoria University in Melbourne, Queensland, Australia. When not studying, she took her theater training to film. Casted as background in the TV series Burn Notice (2012), starring Jefferey Donovan and the movie Machete Kills (2013) staring Danny Trejo, Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Lady Ga Ga, and Sofía Vergara.
Wong trains martial arts in Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wing Chun, and other disciplines. Most recent work of Wong includes co-curitorial work for a performance that took place at PRIZM during Art Basel in Miami, Florida for their 10th Anniversary (2022). Wong has also been Assistant Director to "Quite Miss Home" a short film (2023). Wong has also been seen in Four Corners: A Conversation; a feature documentary film that seeks to find win-win solutions to America's social-political issues screened at Black August Film Festival (2023).