Trading Silicon Valley for Broadway: The Boldest Career Plot Twist You’ll Hear This Year

Could you walk away from a life you were good at to chase the one you were meant for?

Dara Woo did exactly that, trading software engineering for the bright lights of Broadway. In this inspiring conversation, she shares how a tech job lunch break turned into a career-changing audition, and the mindset shifts that made it possible.

Sometimes the most strategic move isn’t doubling down on what’s safe. It’s daring to step into the unknown.  

What You’ll Learn:

2:44 Balancing auditions with a full-time tech job

5:09 Weighing stability vs. pursuing passion

8:09 The reality of performing eight shows a week

12:18 A simple daily habit to build a creative career

16:59 The kind of roles Dara wants for Asian American actors

Today, Ginni welcomes Broadway actor Dara Woo, whose precision on stage rivals the demanding tech projects she once led as a software engineer. Dara reveals what it’s really like to perform in the elaborate multimedia Broadway production The Picture of Dorian Gray. 

You’ll hear how she overcame Silicon Valley-bred imposter syndrome, why she swears by her “one thing a day” rule to keep momentum, and how she applies the same strategic thinking from coding to navigating the unpredictable world of acting. Dara also shares her vision for more nuanced Asian American representation on stage and screen, and her dream of one day merging her tech and creative worlds.

Connect with Dara Woo:

Website: https://darawoo.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silverdare/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silverdare

Connect with Ginni:

Website: https://ginnisaraswati.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theginnishow/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginnisaraswati

Ginni Media: www.ginnimedia.com

Got a great show topic idea? A guest you’d love to see on the Ginni Show? Tell us about it: (844) 543-1772