This month is the 10th anniversary of Artfully Engaging! It's been one decade of uplifting the voices of Twin Cities' creatives.
Thank you to the artists who have collaborated on blog posts and videos! Thank you to the audiences who have read Artfully Engagement content, those who have shared it, and those who have seen it and taken the leap to experience local art in person! Thank you, thank you, thank you. <3
First off, if you didn't know, Theater Mu is the largest Asian American theater company in the Midwest and has received national attention for its artistic excellence and community engagement. I love attending Theater Mu (formerly Mu Performing Arts) theatrical performances and I'm really excited to attend opening night of this Obie- and GLAAD Media Award-winning play this weekend!
Stop Kiss is written by Brooklyn playwright Diana Son and directed by Katie Bradley, a familiar artist in the Twin Cities theater scene. Stop Kiss is a tender, time-jumping play about two women whose friendship unexpectedly turns into something more—until one life-changing kiss brings both joy and heartbreak. It’s a love story set in 1990s New York that explores identity, connection, and how one moment can shift everything.
Stop Kiss artist Kelsey Angel Baehrens took some time, during tech week (thank you, Kelsey!), for an Artfully Engaging artist Q&A. Enjoy the interview and then make sure to share this post and invite your friends to join you at the show!
Artfully,
Artist Interview with Kelsey Angel Baehrens
Kelsey, what is your role in Stop Kiss? Kelsey: I play Sara in Stop Kiss, a St. Louis girl who finds love, purpose, and struggle in the Big Apple! Classic. But also very not. You'll have to see. What’s been your favorite part of this collaboration so far? Kelsey: Definitely the commitment to excellence that I've witnessed in my cast mates, crew, and creative team. Everyone involved in this show gives it their all, wanting to do right by the story and their characters. It's an inspiring explosion of talent in our rehearsal room. I also find this text challenging to act. Not because it's hard to access but because it is so vulnerable and real. There's nowhere to hide when you're on stage with Diana Son's play. You have to ride the rollercoaster and be present. Why do you recommend seeing Stop Kiss? |
Despite the play's bittersweetness, I hope the play offers our audiences the same hope it gives me. It's a beacon in the chaos and a reminder that love heals and inspires change.
What did you want me to ask -- but I didn’t?
Kelsey: I'd love to share the fun fact that our cast has been bonding over a '90s music playlist we've been building together. It's HOURS LONG and AMAZING.
Stop Kiss Ticket & Show Information:
Location: Gremlin Theatre
Ticket Prices: $10 - $45
Special performances throughout the show’s run will feature open captions, ASL interpretations, audio description, and mask requirements in order to increase accessibility. All shows will have available sensory kits and large-print playbills.
Content note: Stop Kiss explores themes of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. The play includes graphic description of a hate crime, which is not depicted on stage; adult language and situations; homophobia and homophobic slurs; sexism; and onstage costume changes.
Free parking is available in the large lot on Wabash Avenue near the water tower. There are additional lots around the building on the west side, street parking on Wabash, and another parking lot on the north side of Wabash. The venue is wheelchair accessible. “It's about how love changes you and you change for love.” | Gremlin Theater |
Playwright - Diana Son
Director & Producer - Katie Bradley
Associate Director - Emma Y. Lai
Stage Manager - Jessica Goldade Swanson
Assistant Stage Manager - Elijah Virgil Hughes
Production Manager - Rachael Rhoades
Scenic Designer - Erik Paulson
Sound Designer - Katharine Horowitz
Lighting Designer - Karin Olson
Properties Designer - Abbee Warmboe
Costume Designer - Khamphian Vang
Technical Co-Director - Austin Stiers & Erin Carroll Gustafson
Intimacy Director - Suzy Messerole
Emjoy Gavino - Callie
Kelsey Angel Baehrens - Sara
Lily Tung Crystal - Mrs. Winsley, Nurse
Moses Ekel - Peter/acting fellow, George u/s
Clay Man Soo - George
James Rodriguez - Detective Cole, Peter u/s
Michelle de Joya - Callie u/s
Jenny Tam - Sara u/s
Sydney Lin - Mrs. Winsley u/s, Nurse u/s
Keivin Vang - Detective Cole u/s
"In a recent data report of hate crimes tracked by the FBI, it showed an 18.1% increase of hate crimes against people due to their sexual orientation and a 4.3% increase based on gender identity from 2022 to 2023.
Theater Mu believes that by sharing our stories on stage we share the humanity that makes up the fabric of our community.”
~ Anh Thu T. Pham, "Stop Kiss" Director and Mu co-leader
Like this? Read More:
Artist Interview with Dexieng Yang of "Again" a Hmong American Musical Premiering with Mu Theater
"In terms of costuming, I’m thinking about memories and the fluidity of memories, and how it could change.”
~ Khamphian Vang, "Stop Kiss" Costume Designer