Asian American Theatre Revue

(Minneapolis November 30, 2007) Mu Performing Arts hosts its annual New Directions Festival Saturdays and Sundays, December 8 ñ 16. The event promotes the talents of emerging Asian American playwrights, actors, and directors by giving them an opportunity to stage new works. This year's festival will present two new plays arising from Mu's Jerome New Performance Program, a two-year artist development series aimed at fostering interdisciplinary, experimental work reflecting the unique vision of Asian artists. Asiamnesia by Sun Mee Chomet and Works of Art by Paul Juhn, both previously featured as works-in-progress in Mu's March 2007 New Eyes festival, will each receive full readings as part of the festival.

Chomet, an actor who most recently appeared in Mu's production of Circle Around The Island, presents her play, Asiamnesia, on December 8 and 9. Stemming from collaborative work with fellow artists Katie Leo, Rose Le Tran, Katie Vang, and Katie Bradley (all featured), Asiamnesia presents an enlightening look at the lasting effects of stereotypes. "[The play] is an exploration of what it means to be Asian American women," Chomet explains. "Who are we today? Who have we been? Do stereotypes entrap us? Who would we be if we could escape the prison of categories in our minds?" Employing dance, movement, spoken word, and scene work, Asiamnesia dissects these questions and more, inspired by the history and experiences of Asian American women.

Works of Art by Paul Juhn headlines the second weekend of the festival, December 15 and 16. One of Mu's original actors, Juhn brings his new romantic comedy to the Twin Cities after enjoying critical acclaim in Mr. Miyagi's Theater Company's off-Broadway satire SIDES: The Fear is Real. In Works of Art, title character Art (played by Juhn) is a struggling Korean American actor in New York City who finds himself on an unexpected path after taking a friend's place on a blind date. What results is what Juhn calls "a very twisted romance" ironically revealed through this one-man show.

The New Directions festival will be held at the Center for Independent Artists (Dec 8 and 9, Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis) and the Mu Performing Arts studio (Dec 15 and 16, Hennepin Ave NE and Industrial Blvd, Minneapolis). More information is available at 612-824-4804 and www.muperformingarts.org.

New Directions Festival Event Schedule

What: Asiamnesia What: Works of Art
Where: Center for Independent Artists Where: Mu Performing Arts Studio
4137 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis 2700 NE Winter St, Suite 4, Minneapolis
When: Saturday, Dec 8 at 7 pm When: Saturday, Dec 15 at 7pm
Sunday, Dec 9 at 3 and 7 pm Sunday, Dec 16 at 7 pm
Tickets: $7, available at 612-724-8392 Tickets: By donation, available at the door
Information: 612-824-4804 Information: 612-824-4804
www.muperformingarts.org

Questions? Email



	Mu Performing Arts announces annual New Directions Festival (Minneapolis November 30, 2007) Mu Performing Arts hosts its annual New Directions Festival Saturdays and Sundays, December 8 ñ 16. The event promotes the talents of emerging Asian American playwrights, actors, and directors by giving them an opportunity to stage new works. This year's festival will present two new plays arising from Mu's Jerome New Performance Program, a two-year artist development series aimed at fostering interdisciplinary, experimental work reflecting the unique vision of Asian artists. Asiamnesia by Sun Mee Chomet and Works of Art by Paul Juhn, both previously featured as works-in-progress in Mu's March 2007 New Eyes festival, will each receive full readings as part of the festival. Chomet, an actor who most recently appeared in Mu's production of Circle Around The Island, presents her play, Asiamnesia, on December 8 and 9. Stemming from collaborative work with fellow artists Katie Leo, Rose Le Tran, Katie Vang, and Katie Bradley (all featured), Asiamnesia presents an enlightening look at the lasting effects of stereotypes. "[The play] is an exploration of what it means to be Asian American women," Chomet explains. "Who are we today? Who have we been? Do stereotypes entrap us? Who would we be if we could escape the prison of categories in our minds?" Employing dance, movement, spoken word, and scene work, Asiamnesia dissects these questions and more, inspired by the history and experiences of Asian American women. Works of Art by Paul Juhn headlines the second weekend of the festival, December 15 and 16. One of Mu's original actors, Juhn brings his new romantic comedy to the Twin Cities after enjoying critical acclaim in Mr. Miyagi's Theater Company's off-Broadway satire SIDES: The Fear is Real. In Works of Art, title character Art (played by Juhn) is a struggling Korean American actor in New York City who finds himself on an unexpected path after taking a friend's place on a blind date. What results is what Juhn calls "a very twisted romance" ironically revealed through this one-man show. The New Directions festival will be held at the Center for Independent Artists (Dec 8 and 9, Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis) and the Mu Performing Arts studio (Dec 15 and 16, Hennepin Ave NE and Industrial Blvd, Minneapolis). More information is available at 612-824-4804 and www.muperformingarts.org. New Directions Festival Event Schedule What: Asiamnesia What: Works of Art Where: Center for Independent Artists Where: Mu Performing Arts Studio 4137 Bloomington Ave. S, Minneapolis 2700 NE Winter St, Suite 4, Minneapolis When: Saturday, Dec 8 at 7 pm When: Saturday, Dec 15 at 7pm Sunday, Dec 9 at 3 and 7 pm Sunday, Dec 16 at 7 pm Tickets: $7, available at 612-724-8392 Tickets: By donation, available at the door Information: 612-824-4804 Information: 612-824-4804 www.muperformingarts.org Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Plays \| Library/Storefront Copyright 2007, Roger W. Tang Questions? Email

Mu Performing Arts announces annual New Directions Festival