Musical Theatre
My passion for musical theatre began with the main role in FRAGMENTS PRODUCTIONS' original musical A Bullet for My Valentine (2017). Since then, I have taken part in a series of musical productions at the American University led by the Broadway Performing Club: Hair (2019), Rent (2020), and Cabaret (2022). In 2021, despite difficulties caused by the COVID outbreak, I took part in another original musical production by FRAGMENTS PRODUCTIONS, titled January Sun.
In my senior year of college, I adapted and directed the first Asian musical at the American University in Bulgaria, Between Our Worlds (2022).
Between Our Worlds - A Vietnamese minimusical
2022
Profile
- Position: Scriptwriter, Director, and Lead Choreographer
+ Author the adapted script; give directions for music composition and arrangement.
+ Make all casting decisions; assign appropriate tasks to the Creative Team, the cast, and the crew.
+ Supervise singing and dancing rehearsals; lead all acting rehearsals and full-cast run-throughs.
+ Supervise and make creative decisions in lighting and set designs to ensure compelling spectacle and cohesive storytelling.
+ Create dance concepts that express what specific scenes call for, as well as align with the overall theme of the production.
+ Work individually with actors and dancers to help them adapt to the cultural and artistic materials, ensuring that they deliver confident and respectful performances.
- Achievements:
+ Successfully present the first Asian musical at the American University in Bulgaria, contributing to its culturally rich community.
+ Featured in the Senior Issue published by AUBG Daily, the most popular newspaper produced at the American University in Bulgaria.
+ Attract nearly 20% of the student body on the show night, and 700+ views on Youtube.
Video: Full recording of the performance on April 26th, 2022 at the American University in Bulgaria
Concept photos
Photo courtesy of Svetozara Saykowa
Make-up by Vese Neziri
Concept by "Hayley" Ngoc-Mai Nguyen and Vese Neziri
 Dimitar Palazov as Tu Thuc and Laura Schellerup as Giang HuongA lost soul finds comfort in the presence of another. As if destined to cross paths, Tu Thuc and Giang Huong share a delicate intimacy despite the two different worlds they come from. |  Djordjia Niamova and Kera Staneva as The VicesA man's journey to the land of his dreams is led by the dainty, charming Vices. Ageless, shapeless, and unpredictable, they are everywhere and nowhere at once - they transform into whatever one longs for. |  Nadezhda iribozova as Tien Hope, Mila Mladenov as Tien Despair, and Vese Neziri as Tien NostalgiaHope, Despair, and Nostalgia - the Tiên's are both commanders of time and its loyal followers. They are reflective of the past, sentient of the present, and intuitive about the future. |
|---|---|---|
 Viktoria Lee and Thong Nguyen on the Piano |  Lyubomira Aleksova on the Flute and Jinwon Mun on the Violin |  Stefan Leon on the Guitar |
 Altangerel Dashtseren as CourtmanIndulged in wealth and power, The Courtmen were always occupied with lavish parties. They could only hear the sounds of music and drunken celebration, above all cries and shouts of their own people. |  Petar Hristakiev as CourtmanIndulged in wealth and power, The Courtmen were always occupied with lavish parties. They could only hear the sounds of music and drunken celebration, above all cries and shouts of their own people. |
Stage photos
Photo courtesy of Vera Arzumanyan
 They shout, they cry, they beg... |  Mourning for love. |  Lavish play dates. |
|---|---|---|
 Perhaps they can wait. |  When hearts were warm. |  Let there be love. |
 Though clouds will roll. |  Alone,... |  All alone. |
 Hope, Despair and Nostalgia. |  For the rest of our lives. |  This is my home. |
 Time is different. |  Time is different now. |  Long ago. |
 I promise. |  Flower. |
Cabaret (1987 version)
Broadway Performance Club at the American University in Bulgaria
2022
Profile
- Position: Creative Team member (Choreographer) and Dancer
+ Selected for the Creative Team; responsible for club management in general and the Dance Department in particular.
+ Conduct thorough research on the historical context of Cabaret and its complex socio-political themes (political fanaticism, racism, etc.) to inform creative decisions.
+ Participate in the casting process to select actors and dancers with the necessary skills or potential.
+ Create original choreographies that align with the director's vision and effectively deliver the messages of the musical.
+ Co-lead all dance rehearsals (9 hours/week for six months) and around 40% of full-cast run-throughs (approximately 70 hours).
+ Supported other departments where appropriate, such as organizing promotional performances and leading movement workshops for the main cast.
- Achievements:
+ Tour around Bulgaria with eight performances in three different cities, each attracting 300-600 audience members.
+ Become the first production of the club to be performed outside of Bulgaria with Dimitrograd (Serbia) being one of the tour destinations.
+ Featured in 10+ newspapers and TV programs as Bulgaria's most professional and popular student performing club.
Video: Recap of four performances in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
Backstage photos
Photo courtesy of Pavel Petlichki
 Leading a warm-up. |  Leading a warm-up. |  In costumes. |
|---|---|---|
 Last run-through with costumes and lighting. |  Last run-through with costumes and lighting. |
Stage photos
Photo courtesy of Pavel Petlichki and Danielo Penova.
 Willkommen - Here it is so hot! |  Willkommen - Here it is so hot! |  Willkommen - Introducing Sushi. |
|---|---|---|
 Willkommen - Bienvenue. |  Willkommen - Bienvenue. |  Willkommen - Welcome! |
 Willkommen - Stranger...! |  Don't tell Mama - Mama thinks I'm living in a convent. |  Don't tell Mama - Hush up! |
 Don't tell Mama - Shush up! |  Telephone Dance - The Kiss. |  Telephone Dance - Ending. |
 Telephone Tag. |  Telephone Tag - Ending. |  If you could see her. |
 Sitting Pretty. |  Sitting Pretty. |  Money. |
 Money. |  Money. |  Money - Ending. |
 End of Act I. |  Kickline. |  Kickline. |
 Kickline. |  End of Act II. |
January Sun
FRAGMENTS PRODUCTIONS' original musical
2021
Profile
- Position: Actress (as Clara Grey)
+ Participate in weekly intensive training for two skill sets: singing (5 hours/week) and acting (5 hours/week).
+ Study the script and work with the director to develop a deep understanding of the character's motivations and personality.
+ Master movement sequences, ensuring synchronization with other cast members while expressing the character's physicality.
+ Engage in all teambuilding activities, promotional performances, and required photoshoots.
- Achievement:
+ Featured in 10+ online newspapers and two TV programs on the Hanoi Radio and Television Broadcasting.
+ Attracted a total of 1500 audiences throughout two show nights.
Video: Highlights from the performances of January Sun in Hanoi, 2021
Concept and Stage photos
Photo courtesy of byOdd Studio and Simple Team Studio.
 Clara Grey by Hayley Ngoc Mai |  The Working Class |  Clara Grey by Hayley Ngoc Mai |
|---|---|---|
 On stage, Clara Grey and the Working Class people |  On stage, Clara Grey and the Working Class people |  On stage, Clara Grey and the Working Class people |
 On stage, Clara Grey and the Working Class people |  On stage, Clara Grey came back to town |
Rent
Broadway Performance Club at the American University in Bulgaria
2020
Profile
- Position: Dancer
+ Participate in intensive dancing rehearsals (9-12 hours/week) to improve skills and stamina as well as master choreographies.
+ Engage in monthly acting workshops (totaling 10 hours) to embody the character's emotions through dance, enhancing the overall narrative of Rent.
+ Attend script-analysis workshops and history lectures to gain a deep understanding of the socio-economic background of the story, as well as participate in discussions on its complex themes (queerness, poverty, health crisis, etc.).
+ Participate in all promotional performances as a dancer; attend required photoshoots and run-throughs.
- Due to the spread of COVID-19, the production was unfortunately interrupted during its last stages of preparation and eventually canceled.
Video: The cast of Rent featured on Bulgarian National TV.
Concept Photos
 Rent 2020 |  Rent 2020 |  Rent 2020 |
|---|---|---|
 Rent 2020 |  Rent 2020 |  Rent 2020 |
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
Broadway Performance Club at the American University in Bulgaria
2019
Profile
- Position: Vocalist and Supporting Actress
+ Participate in weekly vocal training (1-2 hours/week) to ensure harmonious and impactful ensemble performances; complete daily personal training (30 minutes/day) to enhance skills and address specific challenges.
+ Engage in history lectures to gain a profound understanding of the musical's background, as well as its complex themes (antiwar movement, counterculture, sexual revolution, etc.)
+ Attend acting workshops to establish strong on-stage chemistry with other characters and thus deliver the "tribe" as a genuine embodiment of the hippie culture.
+ Participate in all promotional events and photoshoots as a vocalist/supporting actress.
- Achievement:
+ Featured on 20+ newspapers, radio, and television broadcasts.
+ Attracted a total of over 4000 audiences throughout nine performances in five different cities in Bulgaria.
Video: "Three-Five-Zero-Zero" performed by the cast of Hair in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria.
Stage photos
Photo courtesy of the Broadway Performance Club.
 Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |
|---|---|---|
 Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |
 Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |
 Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |  Hair 2019 |
A Bullet for My Valentine
FRAGMENTS PRODUCTIONS' original musical
2017
Profile
- Position: Main Actress
+ Commit to weekly intensive training for three skill sets: singing (10 hours/week), dancing (12 hours/week), and acting (14 hours/week) to enhance performing skills.
+ Work closely with the creative team and other cast and crew members to ensure cohesive and compelling performances.
+ Engage in all promotional events such as photoshoots, interviews, and public flashmob, as the face of the production.
- Achievement:
+ Featured in 10+ newspapers and two TV programs of the Hanoi Radio and Television Broadcasting as one of the first original musicals performed live by students in Hanoi.
+ Attracted a total of 1500 audiences throughout two show nights, and 8000+ streams on Soundcloud.
Video: "Here?" - an original number performed in Hanoi, 2017.
Promotional Music Video
Concept and Stage photos
Photo courtesy of FRAGMENTS PRODUCTIONS.
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |
|---|---|---|
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |
 A Bullet for My Valentine 2017 |  DSCF4172 |