Dawn Cheong
- Locations
- Auckland
- Ethnicity
- Asian, Chinese, Malaysian
- Age Range
- 33 - 43
- Height
- 157cm / 5ft 2in
- Bust/Chest
- 78cm / 31in
- Waist
- 68cm / 27in
- Hips
- 71cm / 28in
Bio
Dawn Cheong is a Malaysian-Chinese actor based in Auckland, New Zealand. She began her studies at Sunway University, graduating in 2004 with a diploma in Performing Arts and Media Studios, before completing a Bachelor of Arts at Toi Whakaari, New Zealand’s leading drama school, in 2009. Dawn has an extensive career in film, TV, and theatre across New Zealand and Malaysia, where she also resides part-time.
Her screen highlights include roles in HBO Asia's The Bridge, MediaCorp Singapore’s My Mother’s Story, and the NZ on Air web series Amah/Motherhood, currently available on TVNZ+. In theatre, Dawn has worked with notable companies such as Silo Theatre in Auckland, Circa Theatre in Wellington, and Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) in Malaysia. In 2017, she won Most Outstanding Performer at the Wellington Theatre Awards.
Beyond acting, Dawn is also an accomplished playwright. In 2012, her play Remnants of a Silk Maker's Ghost received multiple accolades, including Best Play by a Woman Playwright, the Play Press Choice Award, and was runner-up for Best Play at the 2012 Adam New Zealand Play Awards.
Film
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Unity (Theatre Feature Film) | Sissy | KLPAC, dir: Tung Jit Yang | Feature Film |
| 2014 | Inbetween Floors | Sharon Kee | Quak Consepts, dir: Bernice Low | Feature Film |
| 2013 | Cuak | Brenda Wong | Garang Pictures, dir: various | Feature Film |
Television
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Bridge | Seet Yan | HBO Asia & VIU, dir: Jason Chong & Lee Thean-Jean | Drama |
| 2017 | My Mothers Story | Phlek Guat | Media Corp Singapore, dir: Daniel Yam | Drama |
| 2016 | The Race To Love | BiBi | Astro Productions, dir: Kuah Jenhan | Drama |
| 2013 | I Eat KL | Margaret | Fried Chillies Productions, dir: Eunice Low & Akmal Daniel Atomsk | Drama |
| 2012 | Memberiku Hawa | Esther | Red Communications, dir: Bernard Chauly | Drama |
| 2011 | Raising Sun Over Malaya | Peng | History Channel, dir: Harun Rahman | Drama |
Web Series
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Amah (Motherhood) | Leila - Lead | TVNZ+/NZ on Air, dir: Michelle Ang | |
| 2014 | Legends | Su & Steph | Seeing Eye Films, dir: Gavin Yap |
Theatre
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWARDS & NOMINATIONS | ||||
| WINNER of 2017 Wellington Theatre Awards for Most Outstanding Performer | ||||
| RUNNER UP 2012 Adam New Zealand Play Award "Remnants of the Silk Makers Ghosts" | ||||
| WINNER of 2012 Adam New Zealand Play Award "Remnants of the Silk Makers Ghosts" for Best Play by a Woman Playwright | ||||
| WINNER of 2012 Adam New Zealand Play Award "Remnants of the Silk Makers Ghosts" for The Play Press Choice for Susan Smith Blackburn prize | ||||
| THEATRE PRODUCTIONS: | ||||
| 2024 | Scenes from the Climate Era | Ensemble | Silo Theatre & Auckland Theatre Company, dir: Jason Te Kare | |
| 2023 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Cecily | Circa Theatre, dir: Jonathan Price | |
| 2022 | The First Prime Time Asian Sitcom | Showrunner | Silo Theatre, dir: Ahi Karunaharan | |
| 2021 | Unity 1918 | Sissy | KLPAC, dir: Tung Jit Yang | |
| 2019 | Displaced Persons Welcome Dinner | Sara Chiu | Checkpoint Theatre Singapore, dir: Claire Wong | |
| 2017 | The Night Mechanics | Darryl | Tawata Productions NZ, dir: Miria George | |
| 2016 | Antigone | Antigone | KLPC, dir: Kelvin Wong | |
| 2016 | Shakespeare's Women | Juliet | KLPAC, dir: Joe Hasham | |
| 2015 | The Vagina Monologues | The Flood | Catwoman Productions, dir: Susan Lankester | |
| 2014 | Hamlet | Ophelia | KL Shakespeare Players, dir: Lim Kien Lee | |
| 2013 | Macbett | Lady Macbett | KLPAC, dir: Kelvin Wong | |
| 2011 | Othello | Emilia | Odin Theatret, dir: Tage Larson | |
| 2012 | Metamorphosis | Geta Samson | KLPAC, dir: Chris Jacobs | |
| 2010 | Women Of Silk River | Sam Mui | The Actors Studio, dir: Kimmy Kiew | |
| 2008 | AoTERRORoa | Maxine | Toi Whakaari, dir: Geoff Pinfield | |
| 2007 | White Lines | Dancer | Te Whaea, dir: Megan Adams | |
| 2006 | Macbeth | Lady Macbeth | Toi Whakaari, dir: Vanessa Byrnes |
Short Film
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Amah (Motherhood) | Leila | TVNZ+/NZ on Air, A Grain Of Rice Productions, dir: Michelle Ang | Short Film |
| 2016 | Coaster Tiger White | Chef Lee | The Sweat Shot, dir: John Cho | Short Film |
| 2015 | Classmates | Davina | Kakiseni, dir: Davina Goh | Short Film |
| 2014 | Closure | Amanda Liew | Sunny Stories, dir: Ling Low | Short Film |
| 2009 | Rojak | Lead Girl | Studio Vox, dir: Jordan Suleiman | Short Film |
| 2008 | The Chairs | Semiramis | Alyx Duncan Production, dir: Alyx Duncan | Short Film |
Video
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tongue Tied | Lead | O,J Law, dir: Ling Low | |
| 2013 | Stolen Heart In A Stolen Car | Lead | Metropolis America, dir: Matej Valtr | |
| 2013 | When Passion meets purpose & Life With The Acting Muscle | TEDx Talk Malaysia |
Commercial
| Year | Production | Role | Company / Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ambi Pur | Lead | dir: John Cho | |
| 2015 | Samsung Galaxy TV | Lead | dir: Yihwen Chen | |
| 2013 | Blackmorea | Lead | dir: Michael Chen | |
| 2012 | Ayam Brands | Lead | dir: Khai M. Bahar |
Training
| Year | Description | Institution / Presenter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Authentic Voice | David Glass | ||
| 2015 | Acting for Screen | Harada Masato | ||
| 2015 | The Authentic Voice | David Glass | ||
| 2010 | Stage Training Workshop | Hideki Noda | ||
| 2006-2009 | Bachelor of Arts majoring Dance & Acting | Toi Whakaari : NZ Drama School | ||
| 2008 | Voice Work | David Nevell | ||
| 2008 | Butoh | Yoshito Ohno | ||
| 2008 | Dance Devise | Megan Adams | ||
| 2008 | Devise Film Acting | Aileen O'Sullivan | ||
| 2008 | Improvisation on Film | Gaylene Preston | ||
| 2007 | Film Acting | Robert Sarkies | ||
| 2007 | Voice Training | The Royal Shakespeare Company | ||
| 2007 | Acting on Film | Vicky Yianestous | ||
| 2007 | Mask Work | Nina Nawalowalo | ||
| 2007 | Bouffon | Tom McCrory | ||
| 2006 | Viewpoints | Annie Ruth | ||
| 2006 | Acting For Screen | Miranda Harcourt | ||
| 2004 | Diploma Performing Arts and Media Studies | Sunway University |
Languages
Intermediate: Cantonese
Accents
Advanced: American - Californian | American - General
Intermediate: Cantonese | Chinese | Neutral | New Zealand | Standard US
Sports
Advanced: Cycling | Gym | Swimming
Intermediate: Aerobics | Athletics | Badminton | Gymnastics | Hula Hoop | Jump Rope | Roller Blading
Circus & Horse
Intermediate: Body Costume
Driving & Flying
Advanced: Driving (general)
Intermediate: Go-karting
Singing Range
Alto
Singing Styles
Intermediate: Cabaret | Choral