Arts & Communications: Feature Pathway
Arts & Communications
Multi-disciplined Artist: Willow Chang
For Willow Chang, founder and CEO of Passport Productions, a career in the arts was never really an option. “I’ve always been an artistically inclined person; it doesn’t feel like a choice, but a part of my emotional DNA. It’s who I am. It’s what I was born to do.”
The story of her success as a producer, teacher and Renaissance woman began with support at home. “My mom knew that it was not enough to have drive, interest or innate talent,” Willow recalls. “Those are wonderful seeds of potential, but they’re not enough to bank on. You have to develop your craft.” Whether it was creating homespun “performances” with her brother, voice lessons, choir or dancing hula, Willow nurtured the seeds of potential. In return, they blossomed into a multi-dimensional career in the arts. She professionally dances, sings, writes, choreographs, teaches, produces, designs costumes and more.
To high school students who are interested in a career in the arts but feel constrained by resources, Willow advises perseverance. “There are always options in life,” Willow says. “If you don’t have the funds or the means, let your teachers know. They can see if there are scholarships, or they might be willing to trade lessons for help sweeping up or doing other labor—or look into fundraising. It might seem radical or out of your comfort zone, but there’s always a way to make things happen.”
Another lesson Willow wishes to impart: ‘Making it happen’ is possible right here in Hawai‘i, which isn’t as impoverished of opportunities as many people think.
“In the ’90s I went to New York convinced that it was the heart of the action,” Willow says. “At the time, everything in Hawai‘i was about the brain-drain; everybody was leaving and they weren’t coming back.” Willow learned from experience that it doesn’t have to be that way.
After a two-year romp in New York and a six-month performance tour in Egypt and Syria, she returned to her Island home.(Read more)
Newspaper Photographer: Andrew Shimabuku
Andrew Shimabuku picked up a camera four years ago and started snapping shots of things that struck his fancy on a stay in Japan-with no formal training or fancy equipment.(Read more)
Webmaster: Casey Cho
Most parents raise their children with an ideal life in mind. Casey Cho's parents were no different.(Read more)