Apsara is a musical produce by Narate Keys and Directed by Amanda and Michelle Vang. We are apart of Minnesota Fringe Festival. Our musical will be perform on August 1st at 8:30pm, August 2nd at 10pm, August 4th at 7pm, August 7th at 5:30pm and August 9th at 2:30pm. See you at the theatre.
Get your tickets online at
https://minnesotafringe.org/shows/2025/apsara-the-musical
About the playwright/producer:
Narate Keys is a Khmer poet and spoken word artist from Saint Paul, Minnesota. She is the self-published author of a collection of songs and poetry The Good Life, poetry book The Changes... Immigration Footprints of Our Journey, and co-author of Planting SEADs. Keys writes to express the true meaning of her voice. It is through poetry that Keys have found love, appreciation, and encouragement. Keys has performed her poems in Washington D.C., Minnesota’s The Loft Literary, Springboard For The Arts, Center, and Saint Cloud State University, Dragon Boat Festival, MayDay Festival, Feature artist for MN8’s fundraising and amongst others. Keys was selected as a storytelling recipient through Twin Cities Media Alliance (TCMA). Lastly, Keys' painting called The Sun’s Reflector was featured in the Saint Paul Almanac. Keys is a recipient from Minnesota State Arts Board and Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for her musical, Apsara. Learn more about Narate Keys at www.NarateKeys.com
About the directors:
Michelle Vang (she/her) is a Hmong American actress, singer, content creator, and writer. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a BA in theater. Her recent works include Theater Mu’s Again The Musical (Shia U/S), and Playwrights’ Center PlayLabs Festival. She has written and directed Ob Lub Suab, Ib Haiv Neeg, a jukebox musical for Hmong Living in Unity and Balance. Aside from theater, she enjoys creating musical content on social media.
About the casts:
Romeo Hoeun as king Suryvarman II:
Model/ Actor/ Dancer.
From Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the young age of 13 I was in a breakdance group that was showcased at a tournament at The Mall of America. I later became a backup dancer for the Charlie Brown characters at Camp Snoopy. Choreographed dancing became something i truly enjoyed. I also had a passion for acting, so I moved to LA right after high school and took acting classes. However, I moved back Minnesota to graduate from Minnesota State, Mankato with a bachelors. In 2025 I got my first opportunity to walk the runway and model for Represent Cambodia. Now part of the new modern twist of the Cambodian Apsara musical. I start an acting journey that is only beginning.
Tseng as ensemble:
Tseng Thao is an Hmong-American actress whose on-screen work spans independent films, music videos, and commercial shoots across Minnesota. Known for her expressive presence and adaptability, she has portrayed roles ranging from a murder victim in BagHead to a lead in Nyob Ze. Tseng’s modeling experience includes walking in the Melevated X Friends Fashion Show, adding fashion-forward flair to her creative pursuits. She began her formal training at John Robert Powers and continues to build her skills with each new project. Tseng is passionate about representing diverse voices in media and bringing emotional depth to every role she takes on.
Eve as queen Rachinviva:
Eve Vang is a Hmong Minnesotan writer and artist, focusing on community advocacy and empowerment. She has had a calling to contribute to societal issues since she was very young. Her passion for writing mainly focuses on fiction, and she has had a history of performing in her youth in singing and theater. She was a Fulbright Scholar to Thailand in 2007 where she gained experience and empathy for her cultural roots. Her first novel is a work in progress through the Year-Long-Writing Project at the Literary Loft. She had a solo comedic set with the Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK) earlier this year. She is also a member of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders’ MOVEE program as well as currently serving as an Americorps member building digital literacy in marginalized communities. In her free time, she enjoys paddle boarding the Minneapolis lakes, pool time, and hiking.
Thomas as Senapati:
Born and raised in Sycamore, IL, Thomas has always had a passion for theatre having been in several school and community productions. His personal favorites are Audrey 2 from Little Shop of Horrors and Gomez Addams from Addams Family. He is particularly proud to be involved in the growing Southeast Asian American theatre community and is excited where it will lead in years to come.
Houa Moua as an ensemble:
Houa Moua (She/Her) is a comedian and lifelong lover of the performing arts. Currently employed at Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, she is an advocate for disability justice in her community. As a Hmong woman with a disability, the act of navigating multiple layers of marginalized spaces fostered her outgoing and resilient spirit, as well as her desire to put an end to ableism, racism, and the patriarchy. Houa’s visibility and presence have been steadily growing in the Twin Cities since 2020, in productions such as The Kung Fu Zombies Saga (Theatre Mu), Face to Face: Hmong Women's Experience (Park Square Theater), Stories Exploring Disability and Theater (Full Circle Theater), and most notably in her stand-up comedy with the Funny Asian Women Kollective. She’s excited to be back at Fringe!
Lola as Baramey:
My name is Lola! I am an aspiring musical artist, actress, and entertainer. I have industry experience, working with a label until parting ways due to conflicting goals. Now that I have returned to the scene in Minneapolis, I hope to break out of my shell and redirect my efforts towards my own self-development. In terms of acting, I have been with a theatre acting troupe for most of my life, performing play and musicals, particularly of a melancholy opera mood. As I branch out from this particular acting style, I hope to learn and apply acting skills I have gained.
Tri as Moni:
Tri (pronounced "TREE") is an amateur performer and political rabble-rouser based in Minneapolis, MN. He's produced work as an artist-in-residence as a puppet artist (Open Eye Theater's "PuppetLab") and musician (The Cedar Cultural Center's "Cedar Commission's"). You can find things he posted online at linktr.ee/tritactoe.
DM narate or email her at
YXBzYXJhdGhlcGxheSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t with question.
Can’t make it to the show. You can still support us!
Venmo to Narate Keys
Thank you for supporting our musical.
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