2024/25 Season

The Ally

October 24-November 17, 2024

Regional Premiere
Written by Tony Award-winning playwright Itamar Moses
Directed by Mark Valdez

Exploring some of the most contentious issues of our time (Israel, Palestine, Black Lives Matter), this powerful play centers on a Jewish college professor who agrees to sign a student’s manifesto in response to a lethal case of police brutality. Soon, the lines between the personal and political blur and he is forced to confront his identity, faith, and what it means to be an ally.

The Ally includes active discourse about Israel and Palestine, police violence, and racism. Please join us for post-show conversations following every performance.

If you need transportation to and from the theater, email boxoffice@mixedblood.com with this or any other access requests.

Access Details

THE ALLY runs about 150 minutes, with a 10-minute intermission. Offered at every performance:

  • Post-show conversations
  • English-language captioning
  • Large print programs
  • On-demand Tactile Tours (request in advance)
  • Assisted Listening (reserve in advance)

Playwright

Itamar is the Tony Award-winning author of the plays OUTRAGE, BACH AT LEIPZIG, THE FOUR OF US, CELEBRITY ROW, BACK BACK BACK, YELLOWJACKETS, COMPLETENESS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER, and THE ALLY, the evening of short plays LOVE/STORIES (OR BUT YOU WILL GET USED TO IT), and the musicals NOBODY LOVES YOU (with Gaby Alter), FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE (with Michael Friedman), THE BAND’S VISIT (with David Yazbek), DEAD OUTLAW (with Yazbek and Erik Della Penna), and AN AMERICAN TAIL (with Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler). His work has appeared on and Off-Broadway, at regional theatres across the country and internationally. Other awards for his work include Lucille Lortel, New York Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics Circle, Obie, and Drama Desk awards in New York, as well as awards from the Portland, San Diego, Dallas, and Bay Area Theatre Critics Circles. Television work includes MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and THE AFFAIR. He holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and has taught playwriting at Yale and NYU and is a proud member of the Dramatists’ Guild and the Writer’s Guild of America. Born in Berkeley, CA, he now lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Director

Mark Valdez is an artist, cultural organizer, and consultant who partners with communities, organizations, civic institutions, and others, using theater and creative tools to address community needs and to lift up community voices and stories. His work has been seen at the Alliance Theatre, Cornerstone Theater Company, La Peña Cultural Center, MACLA, Mixed Blood, the Ricardo Montalban Theater/Center Theater Group, and Trinity Rep, among others. Recent projects include the animated short film The Curious Cardinal, which he wrote and directed and adapted into a children’s picture book; DETAINED by France-Luce Benson, and THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOME...MAYBE, an interactive performance which toured across the U.S., and INTO THE BURROW: A PETER RABBIT TALE, which he wrote and directed. Currently, Mark is directing THE ALLY at Mixed Blood. Mark was the founding Executive Director of the Network of Ensemble Theaters, a collective of artists committed to co-creation. Mark is the recipient of various grants and awards including a Princess Grace Award, the Zelda Fichandler Award, and the Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities. He is an inaugural awardee of the California Arts Council’s Legacy Artist Fellowship.

Stage Manager

Lindsay Ann Johnson

This is Lindsay’s first production with Mixed Blood Theatre Company. She graduated with BFAs in History and Theatre from UW-Madison. Past credits include Theater Mu/History Theatre, Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters; Theater Latté Da, Passage of Dreams. She wants to thank her husband, Craig, for his endless support and love.

Cast

Sasha is honored to return to Mixed Blood as part of this remarkable play, having also been seen in Corazon Etérno, African America and The Mad Dancers. Fresh off THE REUNION with Trademark Theater, Sasha has performed at Asolo Rep, Guthrie Theater, Theater Latté Da, History Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Jungle Theatre, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Recent screen credits include A TASTE OF LOVE (Hallmark Channel) and STRANGER THINGS (Netflix). Sasha has hosted CURB APPEAL (HGTV) and OPERATION BUILD (A&E), has appeared on TV shopping networks in the US and abroad, and in numerous commercials and films. Next up he’ll be at Asolo Rep in the Drama-Desk-winning ALLI S CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914, in which he also performed off-Broadway, on tour and in the national PBS broadcast.

Sun Mee is excited to be returning to the Firehouse! Sun Mee would like to honor the living playwrights she has had the pleasure of working with through the years on world and regional premieres. Favorites include Suzan-Lori Parks’ SALLY & TOM (Guthrie, Public Theater), Tony Kushner’s INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL... (Guthrie Theater), Leah Nanako Winkler’s TWO MILE HOLLOW (Theater Mu/Mixed Blood), Qui Nuygen’s VIETGONE (Mixed Blood Theatre), Lloyd Suh’s Bina’s SIX APPLES (CTC/Alliance Theater), Kimber Lee’s brownsville song (b-side for tray) (Lincoln Center’s LCT3), among many others. Recognition includes: Best of Lists by Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, City Pages, and beloved Twin Cities Bloggers for TWO MILE HOLLOW, VIETGONE, MISS BENNET SERIES and DINNER FOR ONE (Jungle Theater); Lucille Lortel nomination for brownsville song, Suzi Bass Award for Bina’s SIX APPLES, and Best Solo Performance for HOW TO BE A KOREAN WOMAN (Lavender Magazine). She wants to thank Mark Valdez for his leadership, patience, and collaboration, MB staff for killin’ it, and family and friends for sustenance. And thank YOU, the audience, for showing up for live theater, witnessing uncomfortable conversations, so we can all try to grow and heal as a country and world.

Ndunzi J.B. Kunsunga Jr or “Lulu” is a Minneapolis born dancer, visual artist, and actor. As a dancer and visual artist he works to reflect the values he has gained living in the twin cities as a member of the Twin Cities street dance community as well as a student of African Based dance forms. As an actor he has been in Macalester College’s productions of DISTRACTED, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, I'M GOING TO GO BACK THERE SOME DAY and ANGELS IN AMERICA. He is incredibly grateful to be returning to theatre in his professional debut for Mixed Bloods’ production of THE ALLY.

Ahmad Maher (He|Him) is an Egyptian-born, NYC-based actor who has performed in various countries including Egypt, Sweden, and the United States. Select credits - Theatre: Pilgrims Musa & Sheri in the New World (The Public Theatre); Waiting for Lefty, Richard III (The Flea Theater); The Ides (SoHo Shakespeare Company); INVASION! (Ancram Center for the Arts - Berkshire Theatre Critics Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance); Good Things Happen (Lenfest Center for the Arts); The Revolution’s Promise (New Perspectives Theatre Company); Jesus, Son of Man (Thanasis Theatre). Film/TV: Threnody (Purple Duck Films); Tabula Rasa (Jamil Pictures); You Gotta Dance for It (Tin Tin Pictures). Commercial: Google (DDB House); BookBeat, Länsförsäkringar (Bleck Film); Lidl (Est E Ban); Nicotinell (Sun Days); ABB Motion (SiteSing). Learn more at www.ahmad-maher.com

David Michaeli is thrilled to be making his Mixed Blood debut with this powerhouse of a cast and crew. As a Twin Cities native, he is proud to be a part of bringing this so-much-more-than-relevant show to the Midwest. THEATER Regional: TWELFTH NIGHT (Classical Actors Ensemble); SURVIVORS (Six Points Theater); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Frosted Glass Creative); OCEAN ON FIRE, THE GREENHOUSE (Eye of Jupiter) FILM/TELEVISION SINS OF THE FATHER (Amazon Prime), I WAS THERE: CHERNOBYL (History Channel); ABC 20/20: DIVINE INTERVENTION (ABC) TRAINING University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; Gaiety School of Acting-Dublin UPCOMING: STORMY FEATHERS (independent feature). @david._michaeli (IG)

Nubia is an actor, playwright, and educator. Here is a look at her artistic journey thus far: THEATER Pillsbury House + Theatre: A WALLESS CHURCH; Theater Latte Da: THE COLOR PURPLE; Penumbra Theatre: WINE IN THE WILDERNESS; Folger Theatre: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Guthrie Theater: A RAISIN IN THE SUN; Ten Thousand Things: THE COMEDY OF ERRORS; Women’s Theatre Festival: OTHELLO; Oregon Shakespeare Festival: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; The Old Globe: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; La Jolla Playhouse: WILD GOOSE DREAMS. AWARDS ’23-’25 Jerome Fellowship; 2021–2022 Scratchpad Series Playwright at The Playwrights Realm; 2021–2022 Jerome Fellowship at the Playwrights’ Center. TEACHING Narrative and Storytelling at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Voice & Speech at Carleton College TRAINING M.F.A., Acting, University of California, San Diego; A Guthrie Experience; B.A., Religion, Vanguard University. @_onlynubia (IG)

They are thrilled to be sharing such a timely and necessary story. THEATER: Guthrie Theater (A CHRISTMAS CAROL), Children’s Theatre Company (Annie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid
the Musical, An American Tail the Musical), Theater Latté Da (FALSETTOS), Playwright’s Center (BIRTHRIGHT), Theatre in the Round (MEN ON BOATS), Illusion Theater (THE MYTH OF THE MOUNTAIN), Lyric Arts (PETER AND THE STARCATCHER). CIRCUS: Circus Juventas (EXCALIBER): Silks, Spanish Web, and Mexican Cloud Swing. FILM: “Bigfoot Woods”, Vinn (supporting), “Elsewhere” Jamie (lead). OPERA: Minnesota Opera Youth Studio 2022-2023. AWARDS: 2022 Triple Threat Finalist (Hennepin
Theatre Trust).TRAINING: UMN/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program; NYU Summer Music Theatre Workshop 2022. UPCOMING: Six Points Theater (Survivors). WEBSITE: tictreitler.squarespace.com INSTA: @tictreitler

Tic Treitler headshot

* Appearing through an agreement between Mixed Blood Theatre and Actor’s Equity Association.

Design Team

Eli is thrilled to be working on his first Mixed Blood production with this incredible team! Based in Minneapolis, he has designed across the country with companies such as The 5th Avenue Theater, Geva Theatre, Antaeus Theater Company, and Flint Repertory Theater. Locally, he has worked with Theater Latté Da, The Jungle Theater, Artistry, History Theater, Park Square Theater, 7th House Theater, Yellow Tree Theater, and Walking Shadow Theater Company, among others. He has worked as an associate/assistant at the Public Theater, Center Theater Group, The Old Globe, The New Group, Asolo Repertory Theater, Artists Repertory Theater, and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Eli received an MFA from UCLA, and a BFA from the University of Michigan, where he is currently a guest lecturer and designer-in-residence for the year. Upcoming work includes Cinderella at Theater Latté Da, and Dinner For One at the Jungle Theater. elisherlock.com

Garry is a new transplant to the Twin Cities from Los Angeles. He’s happy to be making his artistic home in Minneapolis and thrilled to be back at Mixed Blood. His recent work includes Costume Design for The Skin of Our Teeth and Metamorphosis at A Noise Within as well as the world premiere of the musical Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Story at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta. He has also directed Once Upon a Mattress at Old Log Theater. Previous costume work at Mixed Blood includes Elemeno Pea and The Pajama Game.  Garry received his MFA in Theatrical Design from West Virginia University and for the past twenty five years was a Professor at California State University Northridge. 

Wu Chen Khoo is a lighting designer, stagehand, live event manager, programmer and labour organizer. He is based in Minneapolis and works internationally. He is currently the Production Manager for the Macalester College Theater and Dance Department. Locally, some of his lighting designs have been seen at Penumbra Theatre, Theater Mu, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Stages Theatre Company, Pangea World Theatre, the Ballet of the Dolls, the Fitzgerald Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, and the Guthrie Theater. At Mixed Blood, his design credits include The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Orange and Red Ink. He co-founded the education program Technical Tools of the Trade, which aimed to train, connect and support people through the skills of technical theatre. He is a proud member of IATSE, the union representing many of the on-the-ground workers in the arts & entertainment industry. He shares his life with his partner Kristin and children Teng Jin and Yi Lian.

C Andrew has been blessed to work extensively in the Twin Cities, including at the Jungle, History Theater, Guthrie, Minnesota Opera, Illusion, Theatre Latte Da, Pillsbury House, Six Points, Great River Shakespeare Festival, and numerous others; and nationally at  Everyman Theater (Baltimore), ACT ( San Francisco), Seaglass (LA), Philadelphia Opera, Opera Colorado (Denver),  Lyric Opera Kansas City, Arkansas Rep (Little  Rock), and others.  Previously at Mixed Blood, he designed Vietgone, Roe, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Corazon Eterno, Colossal, Elemeno Pea, Learn To Be Latina, Pure Confidence, Clean House, and Yellowman, among others. He was a 2008-2009 McKnight Artist Fellowship and won an  Audelco Award for his design for Carlyle Brown’s Pure Confidence at 59E59 in NYC. In summer he serves as the Producing Director of the Acadia Repertory Theatre on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

Abbee is a props designer based in Minneapolis.  She has been freelancing throughout the Twin Cities for the past 14 years, working on over 250 productions with 40 different companies.  Most recently her work could be seen at Guthrie Theater, Theater Latte Da, Penumbra Theatre, History Theater, Pillsbury House Theater, The Ordway Center, among others.  Past work at Mixed Blood includes Animate, The Song of Summer, Roe, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Vietgone, Safe at Home, Barbeque, Charm, An Octoroon, Pussy Valley, Hir, among others. Upcoming work includes Traces with the Walker Art Center.  Abbee is a 2020-2021 McKnight Theater Artist Fellow at the Playwrights’ Center.

Mags Scanlon is delighted to be back for her second show Mixed Blood. Mags is a freelance designer and electrician in the mid-West. Her previous shows include “Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters” (History Theatre),  “Man of God” (Theater Mu), and “Little Shop of Horrors” (The Art of Reconciliation). In her free time, she loves to paint, draw, and hang out with her new puppy.

SHOW PROGRAM
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