Theater Mu

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From Mu artistic director Lily Tung Crystal to the community

This is a bittersweet moment because of my deep love for Theater Mu and the Minnesotan theater and Asian American communities. My heart is both happy and breaking. I’m grateful to Mu and the Twin Cities for giving me such a significant artistic and spiritual home and for welcoming me and my family here in 2019. My five years at Mu have been some of my best and most meaningful.  

My life’s work has centered on the intersection between art and social justice; increasing representation of Asian American and other marginalized artists on stage, TV and film; and telling more Asian American stories. Mu has allowed me to do that work in a deep and joyful way with a truly incredible group of staff, board, artists, and supporters. I’ve never known a theater so well-loved by its community, and I will miss it terribly. 

I’m proud of what we accomplished together, that through a pandemic, rise in anti-Asian violence, and national racial reckoning, Mu took care of its artists, staff, and community. We nurtured the next generation of AAPI and BIPOC theater makers. We lifted up stories from across the Asian American diaspora. We championed the voices of queer and disabled artists, women and non-binary theater makers. We created art together that was impactful and meaningful. 

As such, the decision to go to East West Players is not one I’ve entered into lightly. Organizationally, I hope this move will allow me to connect Mu and East West Players so that we can effect change and champion Asian American stories across the country. And personally, I look forward to returning to the city where I was born and raised, where my father is buried, and to the state where most of my extended family resides.

At East West Players, I hope to bring more artistry and equity to theater nationally, in collaboration with other artists and organizations, including Theater Mu. I’m humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to lead the nation’s largest Asian American theater company and longest-running theater of color.

I am privileged to be leaving Mu with the full support of its treasured staff and board. Mu’s legacy and mission is much larger than one individual, and I am confident in my co-leader and managing director Anh Thu T. Pham and the Mu staff and artists to move forward with love, empathy, and strength. 

It has been a true honor to lead this organization. Thank you for inviting me in and supporting me and Mu. I look forward to seeing what the future brings for this company that I love so dearly.

LILY TUNG CRYSTAL

From managing director Anh Thu T. Pham


Lily has made an incredible contribution to Asian American theater and Mu. Her keen artistic eye and values of centering community was something that was evident from her first production here. Her belief in widening our circles ensured that Mu’s mainstage work centered and amplified an intersectional Asian American voice while not losing the artistic excellence that Mu has always been known for. I will miss having her as a colleague, thought-partner, and friend. We look forward to better partnering with East West Players in continuing to move Asian American theater in the national scene. Lily will have a big impact on the theater scene in Los Angeles, and we wish her the absolute best!

From board chair Ruthie Johnson


We are grateful for the work Lily has done in the last four years to help identify new playwrights, expand the breadth of Asian storytelling, and showcase our beautiful, diverse Asian community in Minnesota. While we will miss her, we are excited to build on this foundation, keeping our values of equity, justice, and storytelling at the forefront as we begin our search for a new artistic director. We would like to thank our Mu staff, artists, community, donors, and board for their ongoing support and partnership as we navigate this transition.

Read Mu’s official press release about the announcement and leadership transition here.