Karen (she/her) is a professor in the department of anthropology at the University of Minnesota and a core faculty in Asian American Studies. As a cultural anthropologist, her research centers on the culture of Wall Street, and her field sites include financiers and financial institutions. Her book Liquidated: An Ethnography of Wall Street won numerous awards, and she is currently writing a book on the ongoing ramifications of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, the uneven bailout, socioeconomic inequality, and the rise of resentment. Born in Taiwan, she grew up in Tennessee, majored in feminist studies at Stanford University, and received her PhD at Princeton University. She lives in Minneapolis with her spouse, Jeff Chen, and two amazing children, Mira and Augie. 

Brian (he/him) has been a longtime theater supporter and theater dad.  He feels very fortunate to live in a community enriched by Theater Mu, and is honored to now be part of the board.  Brian currently works in energy and sustainability at Target Corporation, and spent more than a decade working for various nonprofits in St. Paul, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, including as board treasurer for the Cycling Museum of Minnesota. Brian was born in the Philippines and raised in San Francisco.  He earned his BA in psychology from UC Berkeley and his MBA from the University of Minnesota.  He lives in Minneapolis with his spouse, Jenny, and their children, Audrey, Ines, and Ingrid.

Chad (he/him) has been a resident of Minneapolis with his wife Courtney for the past 17 years. He identifies as a person of blended heritage (Japanese, Swedish, and Scottish). As a former stage performer and a follower of Theater Mu for well over a decade, he greatly admires and holds in high regard what Theater Mu has done to amplify the voices of Asian writers, directors, and performers. Currently, Chad works as a business analyst and project manager in the technology space for an investment firm based in Chicago. When not working, Chad likes to fill his time running tabletop roleplaying games for friends and family, building mechanical keyboards and LEGO sets, and playing console video games.

photo by Adrienne Fox

Grace (she/her) is a lifelong theater enthusiast and supporter of the arts. She dabbled in acting as a kid and first discovered Theater Mu in 2022 with the play Man of God. As a Chinese adoptee, Grace strongly believes in the power of sharing stories as a way to build community and empathy, and is honored to support Theater Mu's mission to uplift Asian voices and experiences. She currently works as a major gifts officer at Lutheran Social Service of MN, and in her free time enjoys reading, baking sourdough loaves, watching movies, and working on getting a waltz jump on figure skates. 

Gaosong (she/her) has called Saint Paul, MN, home as a Hmong American entrepreneur, cultural leader, and artist. She identifies proudly with her Hmong heritage, which grounds both her creative work and her sense of community. As a trained actress and vocalist schooled in Western classical music, Hmong folk singing, and theater arts, she deeply values the arts' role in keeping Hmong culture alive, and received the Minnesota State Arts Board's cultural expression grant in 2025. Currently, Gaosong is CEO of Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris—which she grew from $200 in 2019 into a multi-location, seven-figure company—and a 2026 40 Under 40 honoree. When not working, Gaosong loves performing on stage, singing traditional Hmong folk music, and discovering all the best places to eat in the Twin Cities.

Ruthie (she/her) has 15 years of DEI experience in various sectors from higher education, nonprofits, consulting, and healthcare. She currently is an executive coach in healthcare. Ruthie was an inaugural member of the equity advisory committee for the Metropolitan Council (2016-2018), is a 2017 alum of Wilders’ community equity pipeline, and is currently the Mu board chair. When she isn't working, you can find her paddleboarding or walking a trail with her pup, Samosa, or in the winter, cozied up with a good book.

Rick (he/him) is a playwright, director, and artistic director who has been a leader in the Asian American theater community for four decades. He has written over 20 plays, including the award-winning Yellow Fever, Mask Dance, and Rosie’s Cafe. His plays have been produced across North America and in Japan. He was a co-founder of Theater Mu in 1992 and the artistic director there for 20 years, directing many plays including Into The Woods, Yellow Face, and The New Mikado. He has also directed at InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia and the Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco. He received the 2015 McKnight distinguished artist award, the 2012 Ivey award for lifetime achievement and the 2007 Sally Ordway Irvine award for Vision. He is a co-founder and former co-artistic director of Full Circle Theater in the Twin Cities.

Gabbie (she/her) has been part of the Theater Mu family since 2016 and served on the Mu Board from 2020–26. She first connected with Theater Mu while founding the University of St. Thomas’ Asian Student Union and continues her commitment to equity through her current DEI work. Raised in Northeast Minneapolis, Gabbie now lives in Minnetonka with her husband, their toddler, teenager, and zoo of animals.

Fran (she/her) joined Theater Mu as artistic director in spring 2025. Fran began producing at 19, and her many experiences include touring her one-person show, Faces of America, to over 500 venues. She has also served as co-artistic director of Will & Company, director of new talent for Playfair, an ensemble member of Critical Mass Performance Group, and as adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California’s School for Dramatic Arts. Fran is a 2025 Drama League directing fellow and a finalist for the Barb Whitman Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Commissions include work for Segerstrom Center’s Arts Teach, TreePeople, Twelfth Night Rep, and Center Theatre Group. TV credits include recurring roles on For All Mankind and For the People, as well as guest stars on Criminal Minds, Speechless, and the Michelle Yeoh-led Netflix series The Brothers Sun.