Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's performances were influenced by Beckett and her studies of film theory with Augst had the most impact on her growth.
As Cha's interest in film grew, she studied at Berkeley under Bertrand Augst, who recalls her interest in poetry written by Stephane Mallarme and plays by Samuel Beckett. Beckett's highly reductive style of theater found echoes in the spare setting of Cha's performances. More than the stylistic influence of Beckett or Mallarme, Cha's studies of film theory with Augst had perhaps the greatest effect on her development. 
