Vongsay, Saymoukda Duangphouxay

Saymoukda is a Lao-American playwright, poet, and children’s book author. Her work is focused on creating tools and spaces for the amplification of refugee voices through poetry, theater, and experimental cultural production. Praised for “her combination of difficult themes, honesty, pop culture, and extreme theatricality” (Hayley Finn, AD Theater J), she’s best known for her award-winning play KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS CANNIBALS (Theater Mu) and children’s book WHEN EVERYTHING WAS EVERYTHING (Full Circle Publishing). Her plays include UPSTREAM (Mixed Blood), KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS SHAMAN WARRIOR (Smithsonian), TITLE IX (Theater Unbound), THE SNOW QUEEN (Rosetown Playhouse), and HMONG LAO FRIENDSHIP PLAY. Her work has been presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (NY), Theater Mu (MN), Mixed Blood Theatre (MN), Lower Depth Theater (LA), Asian Improv Arts (IL), and elsewhere.