2025
Photos by Rich Ryan
UPSTREAM
April 9-26, 2025
Co-Created by Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay, Ryan Hill, Blossom Johnson, and Johanna Keller Flores, in collaboration with Open World Learning Community.
Directed by Alejandro Tey, with Alyssa Vera Ramos and Rebekah Rentzel
This world-premiere, immersive play about climate resilience guides audiences on a search for the river’s missing daughter, taking action towards climate justice while making a beautiful climate future. Created in collaboration with the Open World Learning School and over a dozen community partner organizations, this participatory event will be staged throughout a school campus.
Upstream is performed at Open World Learning Community School in Saint Paul.
CAST
MANTIS PRIESTESSES / AREUS FUTRELL, CLARA RUFI
ALICE MOUNES, LYDIA HARRIS
PISCES / LATANYA BOONE
ISLA / ANA PAULINA
FOX / LAILA SAHIR*
HERCULE / MELANIE WEHRMACHER*
ACANTHUS / RUBY KATE NOLEN | XANDER GOTTFRIED
SIETE / ANI-MARIA MOORE | SHALIMAR WATKINS
RIVER WHISPERS / DHOUA VUE | SAANI BEAVERS
EMPLOYEE / JACK GRAHEK | MILES HARRIS
CREEK / LYNN HAMBLIN | LOURDES MALDONADO GAMEZ
PUPPETEERS /ALAN CASTRO-LOSANO | MELITA ALLEN
JUNIOR GUIDE IN TRAINING / SARAH DENT
DESIGN TEAM
SCENIC/PROPS DESIGNER & SUSTAINABILITY CAPTAIN / SADIE WARD
COSTUME DESIGNER / ZAMORA SIMMONS
LIGHTING DESIGNER / MAGS SCANLON
SOUND DESIGNER / KEVIN SPRINGER
COMPOSER / KATY VERNON
MUSIC DIRECTOR / BECKY DALE