Theater Mu: Shine a Light Virtual Program
Letter from Theater Mu’s Artistic Director
A huge thank you to the Jungle Theater for hosting Theater Mu at its designer-focused festival SHINE A LIGHT.
As we all know, the pandemic has changed many things and thwarted many plans. Theater Mu and the Jungle Theater were set to co-produce Lauren Yee’s magnificent show Cambodian Rock Band this past summer, but like many theater productions, our plans were halted midstream. SHINE A LIGHT doesn’t assuage all our sadness from not being in the theater with you, but we are grateful to be able to collaborate with the Jungle after all, and be in their beautiful space this season.
Despite the distance between us, Theater Mu has continued to create programming during the pandemic. From Mu-tini Hours to new play festivals, we’ve produced 35 virtual events since mid-March. The work has allowed us to employ actors, directors, playwrights, stage managers, and video producers, but the new space has offered less opportunity for designers.
So when the Jungle’s interim artistic director Christina Baldwin told me about the platform they were creating for the design community and invited us to take part, we jumped at the opportunity. SHINE A LIGHT helps us lift up the theater makers behind the scenes, providing a space to explore the themes that impact them and their work.
The designers and artist responders featured here are as diverse and varied as the diaspora from which they come. We have a set designer, a costume designer, and two props designers, all of whom were part of our 2019-2020 season--Mina Kinukawa (set designer, Cambodia Rock Band), Kenji Shoemaker (props designer, peerless), Khamphian Vang (costume designer, peerless), and Abbee Warmboe (props designer, Fast Company). Among the artists responding to their work—Sara Ochs, Anna Hashizume, Kealoha Ferreira, and Daisuke Kawachi—are two actor/singers, a dancer, and a director. And they all represent cultures and bring us narratives from East & Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and of course, America.
Some of our artists in turn collaborated with others on this project. Together they amplify the sense of community we share in the theater and the solidarity that will carry us through this pandemic, racial reckoning, and social and political transformation in the United States.
A heartfelt thank you to the artists for shining a light through this extraordinary and challenging time, and to you, our fans and supporters, for standing with us through it all.
LILY TUNG CRYSTAL
Artistic Director, Theater Mu
About Theater mu
THEATER MU is the second largest Asian American theater company in the nation. Founded in 1992, Mu tells stories from the heart of the Asian American experience, presenting a fusion of traditional and contemporary artistic influences, which range from classics to up-and-coming voices in our community. Theater Mu’s continuing goal to celebrate and empower the Asian American community through theater is achieved through mainstage productions, emerging artist support, and educational outreach programs. Theater Mu is a member of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists as well as a member of the Twin Cities Theatres of Color Coalition, proudly standing alongside New Native Theatre, Pangea Wolrd Theater, Penumbra Theatre, and Teatro Del Pueblo. www.theatermu.org
About the Festival
Theater Mu’s Shine a Light Festival runs at the Jungle Theater from September 25 to October 18. This new, multimedia event brings together local artists and exciting window installations for our communities to enjoy.
Enjoy the installation during the day or night! Learn more about the installations and designers through additional content available on window posters and online.
This event is FREE and open to the public. To protect our patrons’ health and safety, this entirely outdoor event is designed to encourage viewers to enjoy the display at their own pace, while being mindful of social distancing. Please click here to view our COVID Safety Guidelines.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH INSTALLATION BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW
WINDOW INSTALLATION 1 | Kenji Shoemaker & Abbee Warmboe | Senbazuru
WINDOW INSTALLATION 2 | Abbee Warmboe | Pivot
WINDOW INSTALLATION 3 | Mina Kinukawa | Anticipation
WINDOW INSTALLATION 4 | Khamphian Vang | Transcendence
WINDOW INSTALLATION 5 | Kenji Shoemaker | Hold Please