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AN ONLINE PLAY READING BOOK CLUB

This fall, Theater Mu has a brand new MTI offering called The Artistry of the Asian American Actor. Hosted by Mu superfan Josephine Lee through November and December, participants will read one play a week and participate in spirited discussions over Zoom. The last session will feature a LIVE reading with some of your favorite Mu artists. Jo is a professor of English and Asian American Studies at the University of Minnesota who has been teaching Asian American drama for over thirty years. This MTI is open to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of Asian America theater.

GENERAL INFORMATION

DATES

This play reading book club will take place over six Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm CDT.

November 4, 2020: Philip Kan Gotanda’s Yankee Dawg You Die

November 11, 2020: Zaraawar Mistry’s Indian Cowboy

November 18, 2020: Lloyd Suh’s The Chinese Lady

December 2, 2020: Jean Yoon’s Yes Yoko Solo

December 9, 2020: May Lee-Yang’s The Korean Drama Addict’s Guide to Losing Her Virginity

December 16, 2020: David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face. This session will include a LIVE online reading of the play.

LOCATION

This MTI will take place over Zoom conference calls. We will send you the link to access the Zoom call after you have registered.

TUITION

$150 - This will cover the cost of scripts and materials. There is no need for participant to seek out or purchase their own scripts.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Mu Training Institute Scholarship for Southeast Asian Artists

In an effort to promote and increase Southeast Asian presence and knowledge in Asian American theater, Theater Mu's Playwright in Residence, Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay has established four scholarships that cover the cost of MTI tuition. Applicants who self identify as Southeast Asian with an interest in pursuing a deeper knowledge of Asian American drama and theater are encouraged to apply. Other eligibility requirements include:

• Must be able to attend all six MTI sessions (November 4, 11, 18 and December 2, 9, 16)

• Must have internet access as all sessions will be on Zoom

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Scholarship recipients will be notified on Monday, November 2, 2020.

This scholarship is made possible through Saymoukda's theater residency, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation National Playwright in Residence Program and administered by HowlRound Theater Commons.

For BIPOC Artists

MTI endeavors to make training accessible to artists of color regardless of income level. If the tuition amount is out of reach, please send an inquiry to info@theatermu.org.

Jo Answers YouR Questions

Is it sad that we have to read plays rather than watch them onstage?

Not worse, just different. You can read a play at any time of day. You can compare them from one week to the next.  You can talk about what’s happening onstage without the person sitting next to you shushing you. It’s like having a party with characters and actors all in the same room.

Will I miss the Mu actors?

The series is dedicated to the many Asian American theater artists at Theater Mu and elsewhere. Some of them will still be in the virtual room. You can imagine yourself sitting next to them, though they will have to autograph your program electronically. 

I haven’t been in a book club or in the classroom for years. What will we do?

This is the class you’ve always dreamed of. No droning professor. Interesting people and scintillating conversation. A chance to talk about Asian American plays and culture. Prizes.

I won’t have time to read the play. Can I still come?

Please come anyway! I will not call on you.