A History in Photos

Here are some snapshots from my family photo album over the years. Hover over the photos for the captions. I hope you enjoy seeing a portion of my scrapbook.

Check my blog for more photos and stories!


Beginnings

1906 Great-grandmother Mary Hartwell (seated 2nd from right). Behind her are her 3 sons one of whom is my grandfather, Frank, in the middle.

My parents’ wedding photo, Beijing, China. 1946

Having ice cream with my brother, Michael, at Mah Jong. He’s full, I’m eager for more.

A typical Saturday night at Mah Jong Restaurant, in the embrace of one of our regular customers.

With my sister and my favorite doll in front of the first house that I lived in: 24 Boulevard, Greenlawn, NY.

Dancing to a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) number at Mah Jong.

Through the Years

Flanked by my brother, Michael, and my sister, Kathy — with my nephew, Chris, behind us.

WIth Susie Falk, Managing Director of California Shakespeare Theatre, for the curtain speech. I’m encouraging the audience to make their donations as they leave the theatre.

Giving San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos talking points before addressing the audience at the American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. 1989

Jesse Boardman Hartwell - the Southern Baptist missionary who started my family. He rescued, adopted, and raised my great grandmother and named her Mary Hartwell.

Chinn siblings in summer (Greenlawn, NY)

Chinn siblings in winter (Greenlawn, New York)

At Mah Jong

My Mother, Father, and brother, Michael, in Mah Jong’s gift shop. I was 5 years old (with 2 years of work experience under my belt!)

Posing with Mom off stage after I finished a performance at Mah Jong.

Mom at the entrace to the Aloha Room nightclub, with a photo of me dancing behind her.

My high school graduation from Syosset High (1975) with my aviator glasses which were in style back then.

The Chinns enjoying a Chinese meal. L-R: Dad, my nephew Chris, me, Mom, Kathy, Michael (1992)

Career

With one of the best Board Presidents I've had the pleasure of working with. Holly Ward (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), 2023

With the amazing composer, Laura Kaminsky, as we celebrated the 2019 world premiere of her “Today It Rains” at Opera Parallele (San Francisco)

Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of San Francisco Community Music Center's new campus, San Francisco, 2024. Photo credit, Jeff Kaliss

As Producer of East West Players' celebration of David Henry Hwang's one-act plays. Flanked by playwright Philip Gotanda (standing far left), Artistic Director Tim Dang (to my right), and David Henry Hwang (to my left, standing, 3rd from the right). Los Angeles, 1993