Seeking Scenic Design Fellow for HMONG FUTURES

HMONG FUTURES soul lock

HMONG FUTURES

by KATIE KA VANG
directed by REENA DUTT

Theater Mu is seeking an emerging or early-career designer with a professional interest in scenic design to work with scenic designer Sarah Bahr during the world premiere production Hmong Futures. During their residency, the fellow will gain a working knowledge of the design timeline, ideation arc, and deliverables; the artistic relationships between the lighting designer, the director, the technical director, and other production team members; and strategies for research and design dramaturgy.

Stipend: $1,000

Application process: Send a resume and cover letter to info@theatermu.org (subject: HMONG FUTURES Scenic Design Fellow Application). Applicants must submit by Dec 28, 2025, but eligible candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

If you have any questions about the position, please direct them to the same email.

SYNOPSIS

The Hmong Futures theater project commemorates 50 years of Hmong communities in the Twin Cities and dreams about what it looks like for these communities to thrive in the next 50. Playwright Katie Ka Vang created this with the Hmong community, including interviews, story circles, workshop readings, family-style dinners, and facilitated conversations. 

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES

  • Pre-Production Meetings: January and Onward

  • First Rehearsal: March 11, 2026

  • Tech Rehearsals: April 1-10, 2026

  • Previews: April 9-10, 2026

  • Opening Night: April 11, 2026

  • Closing Performance: May 3, 2026

Rehearsals will take place at the Theater Mu studio (755 Prior Ave N #107, Saint Paul, MN 55104), and tech and performances will take place at Gremlin Theater (Annex Building, 550 Vandalia St #177, St. Paul, MN 55114).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Knowledge of the tech process and its purpose.

  • Ability to take notes and update data-based software throughout the tech process.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills.

  • Excellent observation, listening, attentiveness, and awareness skills.

  • Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.

  • The ability to work well under pressure and to respond calmly and efficiently to frequent changes during the production and rehearsal process.

  • Reliability: While hours can be flexible, you must be open to evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the theater.

  • Access to personal or public transportation to get to meetings, rehearsals, etc.

  • A commitment to Theater Mu’s mission and values as an arts organization built upon social justice, exemplary theater, and Asian American stories.

  • Must be 18 or older to apply.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 1+ years of academic, professional, or internship experience in scenic or prop design, OR 1+ years of academic, professional, or volunteer experience as a theater technician in any design area.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure familiarity with the play before design meetings begin (a script will be provided).

  • View the role from a learning perspective and share thoughts on the production if elicited by the designer.

  • Work with the design mentor to set learning objectives and complete designated projects.

  • Attend design and production meetings as requested by the designer, director, or production manager; attend designer run; attend all technical rehearsals which is roughly 100 hours.

  • Attend fellowship orientation, mid-process evaluation, and final reflection meeting after the fellowship concludes.

  • Completes Theater Mu’s post-show fellowship survey.

 

Meet the Designer

SARAH BAHR (she/her) is a Twin Cities based freelance costume and scenic designer for theatre, opera, and dance. Her work has been featured with companies including the Minnesota Opera, Jungle Theater, Ten Thousand Things Theater, Trademark Theater, Guthrie Theater, Theater Mu, Theater Latté Da, Penumbra, History Theatre, and Vail Dance Festival. In addition to freelance design work, Sarah has a passion for teaching and mentoring emerging theater artists while creating meaningful opportunities for them to learn and grow. She holds a design and technical theatre MFA from the University of Minnesota, a studio art MA from New York University, and a design and technical theatre BFA from University of Minnesota Duluth. Sarah is a United Scenic Artist Local 829 Union Member.

Theater Mu