Listen: Illusion Theater explores reception that immigrants receive
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MPR’s Toni Randolph explores The Illusion Theater’s latest production "Undesirable Elements: Ten Years Later." The downtown Minneapolis theater explores the mixed reception immigrants and other minorities have received upon arriving to the U.S.

"Undesirable Elements" is a journey through history. It starts in the 1830s and makes its way to the present day, highlighting events along the way that have had an impact on the seven members of the cast. The cast isn't made up of fictional characters played by actors. These are real people, telling their own stories. There's a Russian Jew, a Puerto Rican, an Ojibwe woman and an African American, a Hmong woman, a Filipino and an American of Chinese descent. The latter is Ping Chong, an award-winning theater director and choreographer who created the show.

Funders

In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

Efforts to digitize this initial assortment of thousands of historical audio material was made possible through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. A wide range of Minnesota subject matter is represented within this collection.

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