Official Site
Grace Chang
Writer ● Actress ● Filmmaker
Four generations of artistry — from the circus ring to Hollywood, from the page to the director’s chair.
“Art is everything — it’s in the air, in the soul, and in the blood.”
Grace Chang
A Fusion of
Cultures in Art
Grace Chang writes, acts, and directs. She has appeared in the Hollywood classic The Joy Luck Club and the independent film The Accordionist. She authored the Jin Jin the Dragon children’s series, now in the permanent collection of the New York Public Library. In 2019, her short film A Missing Piece took the Golden Angel Award at the 15th Chinese American Film Festival.
Trained with a Bachelor’s in Performing Arts and a Master’s in Film Directing, Grace brings the precision of a stage magician, the instinct of an actress, and the eye of a filmmaker to everything she touches. She is currently directing her feature debut — a docudrama that brings her father’s extraordinary legacy to the screen.
Gallery
Selected Works
Honoring a Legacy
Through Film
Grace is directing her feature debut — a docudrama rooted in years of research into her father’s life. Baoting Chang built a career that spanned six political regimes and influenced generations of Chinese performers. This film brings that story to the screen for the first time. Part history, part personal reckoning, the project picks up where the NYPL archive leaves off.
A Legacy of Laughter and Art
Grace’s career started under circus lights — performing as lead magician, filling arenas with illusions that audiences compared to Cirque du Soleil. The stage led to the screen: roles on screen — Hollywood’s The Joy Luck Club and the independent film The Accordionist, among other productions.
Four generations of the Chang family have shaped the landscape of Chinese performing arts. The family’s influence bridged six regimes, crossed continents, and touched countless artists along the way. That legacy now lives in two places: on screen, in Grace’s forthcoming film — and on the shelves of the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts.
Jin Jin the Dragon
A Children’s Book Series by Grace Chang
A story where a young dragon discovers courage, heritage, and the magic of believing in yourself. Born from four generations of a Chinese performing arts dynasty, Jin Jin carries the spirit of the Chang family into the hands of young readers.
Questions & Answers
Who is Grace Chang?
Grace Chang is a Chinese-American writer, actress, and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. She is the third generation of the Chang performing-arts dynasty, the daughter of xiangsheng grand master Chang Baoting (常宝霆). Her work spans four arts — circus magic, screen acting, children’s books, and film directing.
Who is Grace Chang’s father? Is she related to Chang Baoting (常宝霆)?
Yes. Grace Chang is the daughter of Chang Baoting (常宝霆, 1930–2015), one of the towering masters (泰斗) of Chinese xiangsheng (crosstalk) and founder of the Shuai Pai (帅派) school. She is the third generation of a 140-year performing-arts family rooted in the teahouses of old Peking and Tianjin.
Is Grace Chang in The Joy Luck Club?
Yes. Grace Chang appeared in the acclaimed Hollywood film The Joy Luck Club, and the independent film The Accordionist. She has since moved increasingly behind the camera as a writer and director.
What films has Grace Chang directed, and has she won any awards?
Grace Chang wrote and directed the short film A Missing Piece, which won the Golden Angel Award at the 15th Chinese American Film Festival (2019). She is currently directing her feature debut — a docudrama about her father, Chang Baoting, built on the family’s archive.
What books has Grace Chang written? Are they in a library?
Grace Chang is the author of the Jin Jin the Dragon children’s book series, including Jin Jin and Rain Wizard — Chinese mythological storytelling for young readers. The books are held in the permanent collection of the New York Public Library.
Where is Grace Chang based, and how can you book her?
Grace Chang lives and works in Brooklyn Heights, New York. She is available for film and media inquiries, performances, school and library visits, and collaborations. Inquiries: gracechangfilm@gmail.com.