Impact Report
Saymoukda was a Mellon Foundation Playwright in Residence at Theater Mu from June 2020 to June 2026. The residency provided a salary matching the artistic director's, benefits, a $60,000 professional development fund, a $2,400 travel fund, and the theater's commitment to produce 2 of her plays. In 2023, Mu produced the world premiere of THE KUNG FU ZOMBIES SAGA: SHAMAN WARRIOR & CANNIBALS. On October 31st, the world premiere of KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS SOUTHEAST ASIAN GIRL SCOUTS will be showing at the Frey Theater at the O'Shaughnessy at Saint Catherine's University in Saint Paul, MN.
July 13, 2026
Six years ago, I flowed into this playwriting residency with Theater Mu with excitement, curiosity, eagerness, and a clear sense of how profoundly it would shape my life. I was locked in from day one. I knew that the residency was ephemeral and time was a finite resource, so I wrote as much as I could.
More than having the focused time and space to write, I received a community that challenged, encouraged, and believed in me and the kind of plays I like to write. This has meant everything to me.
Being a Mellon Playwright in Residence at Theater Mu has been transformative. It has strengthened my voice as a storyteller, deepened my confidence as an artist in American theater, and broadened my connections with fellow theatermakers locally and nationally.
The conversations, mentorships, friendships, and numerous moments of quiet reflection are all part of a foundation that I’ll carry forward. But looking back, I’m a bit struck by how much has not changed. There’s deep affirmation in the way that I embrace revision as growth, uncertainty and questions as possibilities, and most importantly, that community is essential in the creative process.
Every opportunity, challenge, and milestone has made these six years deeply personal and profoundly rewarding.
My gratitude extends to everyone who made this experience possible: mentors who offered me guidance, my Theater Mu colleagues who always had my back, the staff at HowlRound who always said YES, community members who supported my plays, and all of the artists who modeled what it looks/sounds/feels like to be a steward of theater.
To you all, my immense appreciation.
Thank you for six dope ass years of growth, inspiration, and opportunity. It’s been a privilege to be in community with you all.
PS: Some data I did not include here are:
++ the dozens of letters of support I wrote for other artists in their pursuit of graduate programs/fellowships/employment
++ the 6 artists I nominated for the Aspen Ideas Festival (5 became Aspen fellows)
++ the 4 different grant programs I helped design
++ the zero-interest loans I gave to other artists
++ the playwriting incubator program I started at Mu and the number of artists served so far
And so so so much more.
Artists, when given the resource and trust,
can do tremendous things for themselves and their communities.
Always pay it forward. Always practice from a place of abundance. Be kind. Work hard. Dream big.
Fondly yours, Saymoukda