SYNOPSIS

Inspired by Leslie Li’s Just Us Girls book and The Kim Loo Sisters documentary, both about the Kim Loo Sisters, this new musical follows the singing quartet as they made their way from Minneapolis to the flashing lights of Broadway, on the silver screen of Hollywood, and overseas at USO shows during the swing era. The story is an homage to family, love, their Chinese Polish American heritage, and the bond of these talented sisters through their lives on and off the stage.

Blended 和 (HARMONY): The Kim Loo Sisters is co-commissioned and co-produced by Theater Mu and History Theatre.

SEEKING

Seeking performers, actors, singers, and dancers for Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters. Characters in this new musical are Asian, White, mixed race (Asian & White), and Native.

AEA minimum is $550 per week, and non-AEA actors will be paid a minimum of $15 per hour, or equivalent rate. All roles are local contracts.

WHAT TO SUBMIT & PREPARE

Nov 14 update: If you are interested in submitting for a role, please email us at info@theatermu.org, and we will send you an in-progress script and arrange for you to submit a video audition. The process would be as follows:

1. Fill out our audition form.

2. For the video audition: Record the song and the acting sides for your desired role. Sides and music material are available in this folder.

3. Email your photo, resume, and video audition to info@theatermu.org. Please title your files "LAST NAME, FIRST NAME RESUME" and "LAST NAME, FIRST NAME HEADSHOT" and include your name in the subject line.

REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES

• Rehearsals: begin Mar 26, 2024

• Tech Rehearsals: Apr 23-May 4, 2024

• Opening Night: May 4, 2024

• Closing Performance: May 26, 2024, with a possible extension through Jun 2, 2024

Rehearsals and performances will take place at History Theatre (30 E 10th St., Saint Paul, MN 55101).

If you need help or have any questions, contact info@theatermu.org.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS (ROLES BASED ON REAL PEOPLE) 

THE SISTERS

• SOPHIE: Asian/mixed-race Asian-White, age: 22-28. The eldest, the visionary, the ringleader. Chinese Polish American. Soprano.

• MAGGIE: Asian/mixed-race Asian-White, age: 21-27. The second sister, serious, disciplined, rigid, but still likes to have fun on her own terms. Chinese Polish American. Alto.

• JENÉE: Asian/mixed-race Asian-White, age: 18-24. The third sister, the peacekeeper, shy, observant, with secret yearnings that surprise even her. Wants to be a successful performer, but not at any cost—she has a conscience that is social-activist for her time. Chinese Polish American. Mezzo.

• BUBBLES: Asian/mixed-race Asian-White, age: 16-22. The youngest, the baby, the starlet, the diva. Confident and effervescent, like her name. Chinese Polish American. Soprano.

THE REST OF THE WOMEN

• MAMA: White, 40s. Lena Louie, the girls' mother and manager, self made, practical, no nonsense, but occasionally tender. Polish immigrant. Mezzo. 

• ANN MILLER: Native American (Cherokee), 16-22. The singing and tap dancing diva herself. Charismatic, extremely comfortable, enthusiastic, pragmatic. Incredibly talented performer, who is trying to navigate the racial constructs in Hollywood. Belting mezzo. Dancer (tap experience would be a plus).

THE MEN

• PAPA/GENERAL LI: Asian. Shear Gim Louie, early-40s: The girls' father, doting, self-conscious, ingenious. Restaurant worker, often lonely and separated from Mama and the sisters. Chinese immigrant. This actor also plays General Li Zhongren, 50s: Youlin’s father, strict, militaristic, political, traditional. Chinese. Bari-tenor.

• YOULIN: Asian, 20s. Strikingly handsome, driven, intellectual. Looking for true love. Chinese, new to America. Bari-tenor.

• GEORGE WHITE: White. Late 40s-50s. Broadway producer. An impresario, a shark, a magician. Bari-tenor. 

• MALE ENSEMBLE: Any Asian ethnicity, any age and vocal type.

ABOUT HISTORY THEATRE: In the local and national theater community, History Theatre has a unique mission, and it comes with great responsibility as we commission and produce new work that reflects the diverse voices and experiences that make up our shared history as a region and country. We strive to provide a forum to uncover and learn from history, to launch important conversations and spark dialogue around difficult topics, to celebrate the people of our region, and to do it with the highest level of artistic excellence. History Theatre is committed to becoming a more anti-racist and equitable organization, onstage and off.

ABOUT THEATER MU: Theater Mu (pronounced MOO) is one of the largest Asian American theater companies in the nation and the largest in the Midwest. Founded in 1992, Mu sits at the intersection of arts, equity, and justice, and it tells stories from the heart of the Asian American experience. Theater Mu’s continuing goal to celebrate and empower the Asian American community through theater is achieved through mainstage productions, 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, proudly standing alongside New Native Theatre, Pangea World Theater, Penumbra Theatre, and Teatro Del Pueblo.