This play is a tale of the Moua family and how older generations teach younger ones the significance
of tradition. The Hmong language, culture and history is reclaimed through a beautiful Hmong
story with special performances by students along with professional actor Keivin Vang.
For 21 years the Asian Culture Club at Henry/Camden High School has presented an evening show, an annual New Year’s celebration culminating with a family feast for the full house. One visitor, Pang Yang, was so impressed by the talent and the professional presentation of the talented Henry students that she brought two busloads of students from suburban Park Center to the event the following year. A relationship developed among Henry and Park Center High School staff and students with the Hmong Student Association of Mankato State University, culminating with a visit to that college every year.
Pang Yang moved to a position as co-director of Minnesota Zej Zog, a non-profit organization created to empower the Hmong community. She shared her vision of the Henry Asian Culture Club performing to a broader audience with Sue Vang, an employee of the Minneapolis Public Schools multi-lingual department; Paul Compton, advisor of the ACC; playwright and Henry High alumnus Emily Xiong; and elder Pang Vang, traditional Hmong folk singer. These colleagues met in the summer of 2023 and discussed plans for creating a Minnesota Luminary Arts Center stage show by the students of Henry/Camden. The Luminary Arts Center is a part of the Minnesota Opera organization
Emily wrote the script of the play. Professional actor Keivin Vang made revisions and edited the original story. The cast of students for the 2023 December Hmong New Year show was established. Actors learned their parts and performed the play for their families and the Henry community in the school auditorium for the 21st Hmong New Year Show. The students and staff were proud to take the show out of the high school to the broader arts community by performing at the Luminary Arts Center this past February 9, 10 and 11. The program included special performances by fashion and Hmong language expert Bee Vang-Moua and kwv txhiaj expert Pang Vang of the Hmong United Equity Association.
Asian Culture Club Advisor Compton said, “A Story of Remembrance really resonates with life experiences of the elders who fled Laos and came to the United States.” The front rows of the theater were reserved to honor them.
Tong Ge Yang, Hmong Family Engagement Specialist at Henry High reflects, “I think the Nco Ntsoov Kev Cai play was amazing, powerful and educational for all—young adults and adults alike. I enjoyed every minute of it. I was very emotional and tearful at times. My family has experienced and gone through the same identical life experiences and struggles as it is portrayed in this amazing story telling. I’m very grateful and proud of the Henry High School student actors and the people who have made this amazing show possible.”
The event was made possible by the following sponsors: MN States Arts Board, Minneapolis Public Schools Multilingual Department, and Minnesota Zej Zog. Excerpts are available on U-Tube. There are discussions of doing this play again in the future.