Tom X. Chao began his involvement with the Horse Trade Theater Group in the Fall of 2000 with an invitation to develop a new show at The St. Marks Theater, "Can't Get Started," later revived in the Spring of 2002 along with "The Negative Energy Field," again at the St. Marks. In the past six years, he has written, directed, and performed works at Dixon Place, HERE, The Knitting Factory, P.S.122, on WBAI-FM. and at the D.U.M.B.O. Art Under The Bridge, Pure Pop, and New York International Fringe Festivals. He regularly appears at variety shows including Timsloft, The Carmen Mofongo Show, Rumble in the Red Room (Pulse Ensemble Theater), First Tuesdays at The Cornelia St. Cafe, The Shark Show at the Slipper Room, and Modern Humorist Live.

Presently, Tom is readying his comedic science-fiction radio play, "The Scientists," for broadcast on WBAI-FM. He is also producing a music video of his original song, "Cannot Be Denied." Tom holds a degree in Cinema Production from the University of Southern California, where he also studied fiction with T. Coraghessan Boyle, Richard Yates, John Rechy, and Hubert Selby, Jr. He earned a Master's Degree from NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS:

The Negative Energy Field
Offoffoff.com review http://www.offoffoff.com/theater/2001/negativeenergyfield.php3

Can't Get Started
Offoffoff.com review (Fall 2000) http://www.offoffoff.com/theater/2000/cantgetstarted.php3

Theatermania.com review (Spring 2001) http://www.theatermania.com/news/reviews/index.cfm?story=1235&cid=1

Downtown veteran Tom X. Chao returns with his most ambitious project yet--a MUSICAL! Yes, the composer of show-stopping tunes in "Can't Get Started" and "The Negative Energy Field" extends his musical reach to encompass an entire show.

Relationship Expert," an intense search for fulfillment in which the titular character attempts to help Tom find a relationship with a real live human female! But what filthy, dirty, insane secrets does the Relationship Expert have locked away in his nefarious past that cripple him emotionally and render him useless? Could they involve the intellectual, much-adored Rachel Haimowitz? Will Tom and the Relationship Expert finally reign in their crazily self-destructive tendencies and stop insulting each other and find Tom a girlfriend? Just what kind of academic credentials does the Relationship Expert have, anyway? And why do the cast and crew keep breaking the fourth wall with a ball peen hammer?