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Mu Performing Arts the nationally acclaimed Asian-American compant based in St PAul today named Randy Reyes to succeed founder Rick Shiomi  as artistic director.

In a release this afternoon Shiomi praised Rayes' talents.

"Over the past six years, Randy has been deeply dedicated to Mu as an actor, director, administrator, and member of our Core Artistic Group.  A critical player in Mu's success, he is blessed both with great artistic talent and organizational skills. It is my great pleasure to see him take Mu Performing Arts to the next level."

Reached by phone this afternoon Reyes (above) said he knows he has some big shoes to fill.

"Yeah, it's 20 years worth of shoes," he laughed.

Reyes is a well-known face on the Twin Cioties stages, most recently in "Servant of Two Masters" at the Guthrie. He has also directed at many local theaters, including the Mu and the Gurthrie.

Reyes says he's learned a great deal from Shiomi who founded the group in 1993. Since then it's grown to be one of the largest Asian-American arts organizations in the nation, and is known for its groundbreaking theatrical work, and its drumming ensemble Mu Daiko.

But Reyes knows there is a lot of work still to be done.

"We need to continue to nurture more playwrights and more ways of telling our story and producing, and educating the community about Asian American theater, and continue to tell our story, because our stories haven't been told nearly as much as other stories," he said

Shiomi will remain Mu's artistic director through August 31st. The company will pay tribute to his work at the Mu Gala on April 27th.

Arts and Culture

State of the Arts Blog

Euan Kerr

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Long time Twin Cities favorite to succeed Mu founder Rick Shiomi

Randy Reyes to lead Mu Performing Arts

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