Stan Lai coaches an actor for his new production of A Dream Like a Dream at a 798 Art Zone rehearsal hall. Li Yan / For China Daily

Q+A

Your favorite virtue?

Altruism.

Your favorite qualities in a man or a woman?

Passion + Compassion.

What you appreciate the most in your friends?

Who they are, not who others think they are.

If you would talk to a late master of your field, who would he/she be?

Shakespeare.

How do you wish to die?

One cannot wish, only hope for it to be peaceful with little disturbance.

If not yourself, who would you be?

We can only be ourselves, and that with a struggle.

Your heroes in real life?

Unknown people who make sacrifices for others. I find your "normal" heroes - famous people - are often difficult, bullies, and make life difficult for those around them.

The natural talent you'd like to be gifted with?

To play the piano like Bill Evans.

If there is one thing you want to change about yourself, what would it be?

Innate shyness that some take as arrogance.