Actor BD Wong will share his life story

Award-winning actor BD Wong will open the 2015-16 Artist and Lecture Series on Thursday at South Puget Sound Community College. Wong, who has appeared in movies, on television and on stage, will give a lecture titled “All the World’s a Stage: From Exclusion to Inclusion.”

Wong will talk about his journey from rejection and self-hatred to embracing his multiple identities.

In 1999, Wong, who is gay, and his then-partner Richie Jackson, hired a surrogate mother. Jackson Foo Wong was born in 2000, but his twin died during birth. Wong and Jackson adopted the child. They have since split, but share custody. Wong wrote a book, “Following Foo,” about the experience.

The theme for the series is “Reflections,” meant to be a celebration of “the power of identity in our sense of self, our sense of ‘we’ and in our sense of place,” according to a college news release.

Organizers believe the three speakers will initiate discussion concerning critical and contemporary issues.

Major credits: He played Henry Wu in the original “Jurassic Park” and followed that up with the role of Dr. Henry Wu in this year’s “Jurrasic World.” From 2001-2014, he played Dr. George Huang on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He provided the voice for Shang in “Mulan” and “Mulan II.” On stage, he appeared in “Face Value,” “Shanghai Moon” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Award winner: Wong won the 1988 Tony Award for featured role in a play for his portrayal of Song Liling in “M. Butterfly.” It was his Broadway debut.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Mainstage, South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia.

Tickets: $10 for general admission, (which includes a $3 Washington Center service fee), free for all college staff, faculty and students. Tickets are available at OlyTix.org or by calling the center’s box office at 360-753-8586.

Future speakers: Novelist and professor Jamaica Kincaid will speak Feb. 25, and performer Sheetal Gandhi will speak May 19.

Sponsor: The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound.

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Actor BD Wong will share his life story."