After safety concerns cancel a reading, 'HMong Futures' heads to premiere



A new play about the Hmong experience comes as fears remain within the community, following a months-long immigration surge that has forced some immigrants to go into hiding.

“It's just a hard time to make any kind of work,” said playwright Katie Ka Vang, who wrote “HMong Futures: The Future of Us,” which is set to officially open on April 11 in St. Paul.

Vang spent months developing the story for “HMong Futures,” holding community engagement events where members of the Hmong community across generations could share their input about what the show should tackle.

A photo frame shows a family as part of a promotional image for a theatrical play.
"HMong Futures: the Future of Us" is a new play about the Hmong experience. It takes place on a farm in Minnesota in 2031.
By Rich Ryan, Courtesy of Theater Mu

“I always feel like each play kind of teaches me something different,” Vang said. “Even though we're in different generations, we still want similar things. But the way it's done is different.”

The day before “HMong Futures” was supposed to have its first public reading as part of a new works festival, Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents on Jan. 24.

With a show titled “HMong Futures,” concerns about safety for the Asian community led Theater Mu to cancel the reading.

“It was one of the most, if not the most challenging things that I've ever had to do as an artist,” said Fran de Leon, Theater Mu’s artistic director.

In a Zoom meeting with the “HMong Futures” team after the reading was canceled, de Leon remembers sitting in silence.

A woman sits at a table with a script in front of her.
Melody Her plays "Maly" in Theater Mu's new play "HMong Futures: the Future of Us."
By Rich Ryan, Courtesy of Theater Mu

“They had been so strong and so resilient and stalwart, and in that moment when we had the thing that we love most taken away from us, there was so much pain and betrayal,” de Leon said.

Even though tensions are still high following Operation Metro Surge, Theater Mu is still moving ahead with the premiere.

“This play talks a lot about healing… it just felt right that we would say we're going to go on,” de Leon said.

‘HMong Futures’ in the present

“HMong Futures: the Future of Us” takes place in 2031. It follows three generations of Hmong women on their family farm in Minnesota, where past family drama and generational trauma drive the story.

Throughout the play, however, granddaughter Maly tries to teach the family to navigate hard discussions through NVC — nonviolent communication, which emphasizes empathy and vocalizing one’s needs.

“I don't think that I could ever have this conversation with my grandma,” said actor Melody Her, who plays Maly, noting that discussions of feelings is a struggle for parts of the Hmong community.

“This show is all about Hmong futures… I hope that the audience can, you know, see that this is a possibility,” Her said.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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