BACKSTAGE 5 WITH

BD Wong

By Allie Volpe

BD Wong has done it all. On Broadway, his performance as Song Liling in “M. Butterfly” won him a Tony. On film, he’s a mainstay in the “Jurassic Park” franchise. On TV, he’s beloved for his portrayal of Dr. George Huang on “Law & Order: SVU.” Now, he’s flexing his comedic skills, returning for Season 2 of Comedy Central’s “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens,” on which he plays Nora’s father, Wally.

What advice would you give your younger self? What I would say is: Enjoy it more. I was very cerebral; I was very interested in making sure I did things right. It could’ve been a lot more fun…. Now, I’m a terrible prank person backstage, because I’ve gotten to the point that the work can be enhanced by the relationships you have with the other actors—and that includes your sense of humor with them and your bond with them. Don’t wait too long to start having fun. I saw other people having fun and I was afraid of it, because I was too serious about the work.

What is your worst audition horror story? I had an audition for the revival of “Into the Woods,” and I was not prepared for the fact that the room would have so many windows. I know that sounds crazy. I went in there, and there was a window across the street, and all these things were going on in it. There maybe was another rehearsal studio across the street. I remember being really distracted by the activity that was going on across the street when I was trying to concentrate. Usually, the nightmare auditions I’ve had had to do with distraction.

What’s the wildest thing you ever did to get a role? I wrote all of these weird verses to audition for the original cast of “Seussical.” I don’t know why I did it, but I had all these verses written because the material had holes in it, and I wanted to fill in the holes and create continuity. I really wanted that part, and I really wasn’t right for it. I went above and beyond, which I do a lot. I’ve been told, “Please don’t bring props,” because I used to bring a lot of props.

What performance should every actor see and why? I’m really into Michaela Coel and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. I’m into their self-generation, their writing, their acting. Sometimes your acting is even better when you’ve written the material for yourself, because you know exactly how complex it is. You know what that character is supposed to be and do and feel.

Tell us about your first day on a professional set. I was a Fotomat boy in an episode of a TV show called “Simon & Simon”…. I was really nervous. The first take or the first rehearsal that you ever do when you’re nervous and you have no experience is terrible, because you’re on your own unless you happen to have somebody nearby who has the experience and is looking out for you. The world of filmmaking has its own language, and if you don’t know any of it, as I didn’t, you’re totally lost.

“Don’t wait too long to start having fun. I saw other people having fun and I was afraid of it, because I was too serious about the work.”