Stephanie Hsu has carved out a significant presence as an actress and producer, earning critical acclaim and awards attention for her work in notable television series such as ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ ‘Poker Face,’ ‘American Born Chinese,’ and ‘Laid.’
She also shone in the Oscar-winning film ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,’ which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.
Amid her bustling schedule, Hsu is making time to visit the Portland Art Museum’s Tomorrow Theater on April 18, as part of the Center for an Untold Tomorrow venue’s ‘Carte Blanche’ series.
Hsu’s appearance on this occasion promises to be distinct from the typical celebrity chat, as she will host a talk and a “garden party,” according to the Tomorrow Theater’s website.
“I think the Carte Blanche series is so cool,” Hsu shared in a recent phone conversation, praising the series for its flexibility.
The garden party will offer a refreshing departure from a conventional personal appearance, where “you’re basically interviewed in public.”
While she acknowledges that traditional formats are “fine and dandy,” Hsu emphasized her appreciation for the communal experience of gathering.
“I just got so excited when I realized I had free rein to do anything,” Hsu remarked.
An avid gardener herself, Hsu lamented the fact that her frequent travels have limited her ability to maintain an active garden at present.
Reflecting on her past, she shared, “When I was younger, I worked on a farm, which launched my love of food justice and sustainability in general. Working on a farm opened my eyes to what abundance really can mean.”
Attendees of the April 18 event are encouraged to bring along a living object—be it a rock, a plant, or any item they are willing to part with.
“There will be some mischief with that,” Hsu hinted, excited for the interactions that will unfold.
She aims for the event to foster “something that feels a little bit more like a group conversation,” moving away from a format of merely “watching me talk.”
“My hope is that there can be a little bit more fluidity to the evening,” Hsu elaborated.
In her view, a garden represents “so much more than just plants or flowers or vegetables.”
While she admitted she’s unsure of the exact plans for her Portland appearance, Hsu shared that the concept of a garden party, centered around a communal experience, feels “really exciting and very Oregonian” to her.
This upcoming engagement in Portland won’t be Hsu’s first visit to the Northwest.
“I love Oregon,” she stated enthusiastically.
“I’ve foraged in Oregon. I’ve been to Portland a bunch, and I love it. The food is so good. The people are amazing.”
Hsu appreciates that her visit comes after the peak rainy season, adding to her excitement about the region.
“I remember the first time I was there, I was on a road trip, and I had never been to Oregon or Portland before. We were driving through the mountains, and the kind of green that exists in Oregon was like a green I had never seen in my life. Just so rich and wet.”
She affectionately describes the trees of the Pacific Northwest as “the Pacific Northwest lung scrub” due to the invigorating oxygen they provide.
“Go out into a forest, and there’s so much oxygen that it feels like it’s actively cleaning out your lungs with a loofah of pine,” Hsu remarked, conveying her deep connection to the environment.
The ‘Stephanie Hsu Garden Party’ will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, April 18, at the Portland Art Museum’s Tomorrow Theater, located at 3530 S.E. Division St.
Tickets for the event are priced at $35, and Hsu’s appearance will be followed by a screening of the 2016 film ‘Captain Fantastic.’
For more details, visit the Tomorrow Theater website at https://tomorrowtheater.org/movies/stephanie-hsu-carte-blanche.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2025/04/this-oscar-nominee-is-hosting-a-portland-garden-party-heres-why-and-how-you-can-attend.html
