Saint Paul, MN — Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay believes artists can be bold architects of social change. As a leader in Lao American theater and one of the country’s most successful Lao playwrights, she recognizes the tremendous impact that theater has on perceptions of people and communities. She wants to shine a spotlight on Laotian stories and create opportunities for Laotian artists to be disruptors, interrogators, documentarians, instigators and imagineers in the Lao American Theater Movement. To become a prominent leader and spokesperson for Lao American theater, she will expand her connections with established artistic leaders regionally and Laotian artists and communities nationally. She also plans to improve her speaking skills, travel to her ancestral country, and become more fluent in reading, writing and speaking the Lao language.