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Saymoukda is a Lao American writer. W. Kamau Bell, the host of CNN’s “United Shades of America,” called her work “revolutionary.” She’s a recipient of a Sally Award for Initiative from the Ordway Center for Performing Arts which recognizes bold and strategic leadership that has created artistic projects and programs never before seen in Minnesota that have significantly impacted on strengthened the state. She’s best known for her play KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS CANNIBALS and children’s book WHEN EVERYTHING WAS EVERYTHING. Her plays include KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS SHAMAN WARRIOR, DEAD COPS IN LITTLE MEKONG, BURIED BY THE GARDEN IN LITTLE MEKONG, TITLE IX, and HMONG LAO FRIENDSHIP PLAY. Her work has been presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (NY), Theater Mu (MN), Lower Depth Theater (LA), Asian Improv Arts (IL), and elsewhere. Saymoukda is currently a Playwrights Center Core Writer, Bush Fdn Leadership Fellow in playwriting, a Mellon Fdn Playwright in Residence at Theater Mu, a Jerome@Camargo Artist in Residence in Cassis, France, and MN State Arts Board grantee. Other awards include grants and fellowships from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Bush Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation, MAP Fund, Playwrights' Center, Forecast Public Art, and dozens more. She's been an artist in residence at Everwood Fdn and by direct invitation at The Fields at Rootsprings (MN), Hedgebrook (WA), and Djerassi (CA). She's an advisory board member of the nonprofits More Than A Single Story and Asian Pacific Islander American Film Collective. Other community contributions include having served on the City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Board and Governor Tim Walz's State Poet Laureate Program Design Committee and Interview & Selection Committee. Her upcoming plays include commissions from Mixed Blood Theatre (MN), Theater Mu (MN), and InterAct Theatre Co. (PA).