SELAPAK: A CELEBRATION OF KHMER ARTISTRY Jul 11, 2022 presented by Theater Mu and Jungle Theater PERFORMANCE ORDER PEUO TUY “HerStory Begins in the Land of the Killing Fields...” “Will You Marry Me, Meiji Seika?” (Khmer reading by Mongkol Teng) “Hasbro Neon Light Brights” WATTANAK DANCE TROUPE Robam Phoung Neary (Gabriella Sour, Kianna Kjelland, Sabrina Sok) Robam Chouy Chay Chomthong (Garrett Sour) Robam Tep Monorom (Kianna Kjelland, Sabrina Sok, Pon Lee, Saroeun Nob, Sarath Nob, Garrett Sour) INTERMISSION refreshments from Kolap Restaurant available in the lobby PEUO TUY “Breakbeat Etude” “Running Water and Soap Suds” (Khmer reading by Mongkol Teng) “The First Decades of the Diaspora Experience” “Stop Calling Me a Chink!” DERYCK HAK Between POST-SHOW Q&A CODY KOUR is this evening’s Master of Ceremonies. ARTISTS & PRODUCTION TEAM Performers: DERYCK HAK, PEUO TUY, WATTANAK DANCE TROUPE Master of Ceremonies: CODY KOUR Khmer Language Reader: MONGKOL TENG Stage Manager: KAVYA SHETTY Sound Board Operator: JOHN ACARREGUI Production Managers: MORGEN CHANG, WESLEY MOURI Front of House: BARRY INMAN DERYCK HAK(PLAYWRIGHT & ACTOR) Deryck (he/him) has enjoyed being part of the Jungle and Mu co-production of Cambodian Rock Band and is thrilled to continue working with them by presenting his one-man show, Between! Favorite credits include Laurie in Little Women (Lyric Arts), Minoru Masuda in Christmas of Swing (History Theatre), and himself in Between (Renegade Theatre). He has also had the pleasure of working with Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Wildwood Theatre, and the National Theatre for Children. He received his BFA in acting from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Deryck would like to thank his family for their continued support and love. When he is not on the stage or waiting tables at Olive Garden, he can be found snuggled up in a blanket with Dude… his 10-year-old tabby cat. Enjoy the show! | deryckhak.com PEUO TUY (SPOKEN WORD POET) Peuo (she/her) is a 1.5-generation Khmer American spoken word poet and educator from Lowell, Massachusetts, and New York, New York. Her poetry collection, Khmer Girl (2014), is inspired by the traumas of her life, including her family escaping the killing fields of their native Cambodia and enduring the inequities of life as refugees in the U.S. Peuo was a recipient of the Long Beach Arts Council grant and the 2017 Pushcart Prize nominee for her poem, “Hasbro Neon Light Brights.” She was also selected for the Florida Literary Arts Coalition Writers’ Circuit 2018/19 book tour, awarded the Critical Refugees Studies Collective grant (2019), and is the co-founder of the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association. Peuo’s work has appeared in several online publications, anthologies, and magazines. She is currently an English language learner teacher at a Hmong elementary school in Minnesota. During her free time, she loves to swim, travel, and devour dark chocolate cakes. WATTANAK DANCE TROUPE (PERFORMERS) WDT was established in 2000 by Sodanny Eir and Yousedy Peov and is currently under the instruction of disciples Saroeun Nob and Garrett Sour. WDT is a nonprofit organization that focuses on classical and folk dance styles of the Cambodian repertoire. WDT seeks to bridge generations of Cambodian Americans to their cultural heritage through the art of dance and storytelling, while also showcasing the rich and ancient culture of Cambodia to communities throughout the states. WDT is devoted to preserving and passing down the knowledge of Cambodian performing arts to the next generation. CODY KOUR (EMCEE) Cody (he/him) is a second-generation Khmer American writer, teacher, and scholar. A son of refugees, Cody is excited to be a part of Selapak. He enjoys working on projects that interrogate the distance between memory and truth, the relationship between artifice and “real life,” and the boundaries that love always transcends. Currently, Cody is also the dramaturgy fellow for Cambodian Rock Band, which is being co-produced by the Jungle and Theater Mu through Jul 31. In his spare time, Cody likes to read graphic novels, write poetry, grill out with family, and go on night drives. In the future, Cody hopes to continue to collaborate with others to uplift Asian American stories through his work and art. MONGKOL TENG (KHMER LANGUAGE READER) Mongkol (he/him) first worked with Theater Mu and the Jungle as the cultural consultant and language coach for Cambodian Rock Band. He is a native of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but has called Minnesota home since 2008. He is a Cambodian history and language enthusiast, and previously has volunteered and served on the board of Cambodian Living Arts, a Phnom Penh-based arts nonprofit dedicated to reviving Cambodia’s lost art forms and empowering and transforming individuals and communities in Cambodia through the arts. KAVYA SHETTY (STAGE MANAGER) Kavya (she/her) is excited to celebrate Khmer artistry with Selapak! She graduated with a BA in theatre from Macalester College right before the pandemic and has definitely missed creating and getting to be in community with other artists the last couple years. Thank you to Theater Mu for providing a space that both shares and uplifts Asian American stories! ABOUT THE DANCES Robam Phoung Neary (Blossoms of Femininity) is a dance of beauty and grace that depicts heavenly angels gathering in an enchanted garden to dance, comparing their elegance and charm to beautiful flower blossoms. Robam Chouy Chay Chomthong (Dance of the Adorned Self) elaborates episodes of transfiguration, or the transformation of one person to assume the appearance of another. Certain characters who are embodiments of divine power transform themselves into other characters, usually more beautiful and more alluring than before. In the wake of the transformation, the character performs a “Chouy Chay’’ dance to mark the successful disguise and celebrate the new, more adorned self. In this version of Robam Chouy Chay, the dance serves as a display of maturation or coming of age, showcasing a young prince named Chomthong and his blossoming beauty and spirit, as well as his skill in dance and song. Robam Tep Monorom (Dance of Heavenly Bliss) is often considered the most beautiful dance in the classical repertoire. It embodies the friendship, prosperity, and well-being of the Cambodian people. Male and female deities move in and out of formation around and across the stage, expressing heavenly bliss. LOVE LOCAL THEATER? Please scan the QR code with your smart phone or visit our form at bit.ly/selapaksurvey to take our pre-show survey. In 60 seconds or less, your responses can help Theater Mu and the Jungle Theater receive critical funding. Thank you for supporting the arts today! THEATER MU (pronounced MOO) is the second largest Asian American theater company in the nation. Founded in 1992, Mu celebrates and empowers the Asian American community through theater, 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. | theatermu.org JUNGLE THEATER creates courageous, resonant theater that challenges, entertains, and sparks expansive conversation. As a neighborhood theater with national impact, the Jungle tells stories that matter, with deep care and attention to detail. Connect with the Jungle on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram via @jungletheater. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural fund.