Gillian Choa became the first woman, and the first Hongkonger, to head the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts (HKAPA) when she stepped up to the role of the organisation’s director in 2021. She joined the academy full-time as a member of its theatre design department in 1996, and was dean of the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts from 2013 to 2019. Under Choa’s leadership, the HKAPA has been ranked first in Asia and top ten globally in the performing arts category of the renowned QS World University Rankings for three years in a row.

Choa has also worked in numerous different roles within the arts: she started her career as resident designer for the Chung Ying Theatre Company, then worked in a wide variety of roles across Hong Kong’s performance and entertainment industry, including as a set, costume and lighting designer. She was also a director and art director for theatre, film and television. She has designed displays for luxury brands including Tiffany and Hermès, presented a classical music TV programme, and edited architectural and fashion magazines.

Choa has served on the boards of organisations including CreateHK, the Advisory Committee on Arts Development and the Human Resources Planning Commission.

(Photo: Affa Chan)