‘Twist of Fate’ Brings Together Two Worlds, Two Diverse Cultures in One Original Rosetown Playhouse SummerPlay

Young adults from two diverse cultures, two countries, two languages, thrown together with their success dependent on their ability to trust, get along and work together.

That’s the plot of “Twist of Fate,” the teen-only SummerPlay being produced by Rosetown Playhouse, a Roseville-based community theater organization.

It’s also a description of the process through which the play was created and staged. Teens from the Roseville area are staging the play in collaboration with teens from the Karen refugee community in the Roseville area.

At rehearsals at Roseville’s Villa Park, the two groups are learning about each other’s histories, languages, cultures, slang, humor, tastes in food – and as teens are wont to do as they get to know one another – hopes and dreams.

The playwright and director of “Twist of Fate” is Tyler Olsen, Rosetown’s Arts Administrator and a veteran theater maker here in the Twin Cities. It was his vision to bring together creative, energetic teens from the very Minnesotan suburb of Roseville and the community of KaRen refugees from Burma and Thailand. No theatrical experience was necessary, only curiosity, energy and a passion to be creative.  The project is being led by artistic leaders from both communities: Tyler Olsen, Tin Tun Naing, Pyit One, and Emily Hanson, with guest choreography by Zenon Dance’s Tamara Ober,

“We started the play,” says Olsen, “with only an idea: Two groups of kids from different cultures are thrown together by a completely unlikely force:  Extreme weather.   From there we have developed a totally unique, totally original theater experience, that is both complete fiction, and very much based on the stories and lives of the kids in the show.  TWIST OF FATE would not exist without the teenagers who have helped create it”

The production is taking place with the generous support of Rosetown Playhouse, the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM), and Roseville Parks & Recreation Department, as well as a Creative Intersections grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.  They have also received support from local businesses Re-Cycle (in Northeast Minneapolis), and Dangerous Productions (in Saint Paul).

Links

• Rosetown Playhouse: http://rosetownplayhouse.org/

• Villa Park, Roseville Parks & Rec: http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/index.aspx?

• Mixed Blood Theatre: http://www.mixedblood.com

• Karen Organization of Minnesota http://www.mnkaren.org/

• Re-Cycle- http://re-cycle.com/Donate.aspx

Rosetown Playhouse was founded in 1999 with a mission to create memorable experiences through playful productions – and to build community. Rosetown produces two shows each year with professional directors and all-ages casts of actors with all levels of theater experience. Rosetown also offers numerous workshops and youth programs aimed at stimulating young creative minds and giving youngsters experience in various aspects of theatrical productions.

This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Cast + crew

Tyler Olsen
Role: Director
Tyler Olsen is a theater maker, artist, and entrepreneur here in the Twin Cities. Current projects include Happy Minnesota, an initiative to bring live performances to the University Ave. Central Corridor- with upcoming productions HAPPY ADVENTURE and HAPPY CAFE, leading trips to the Boundary Waters, roofing his garage, Arts Administrating for Rosetown Playhouse, promoting the city of St. Paul with STPAULISCOOL.com, and trying to cause mayhem and community wherever he goes... Help wanted.
Most recently, he's performed in Live Action Set's BASIC North at the Southern Theater, and produced HAPPY ICE CREAM SOCIAL and HAPPY CABARET along the Central Corridor, with funding and support from Springboard for the Arts' IRRIGATE program.

Tyler is a graduate of the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater in Blue Lake, CA, the Tom Brown Junior Tracking and Wilderness Survival School, and On Point Tactical's Urban Escape and Evasion Course.

Tin Tun Aing
Role: KaRen Traditional Dance Instructor, Translations

Pyit One
Role: KaRen Traditional Dance Instructor

Emily Hanson
Role: Assistant Director

Sam Arsenault
Role: Stage Manager

Gili Poe
Role: Sound Operator

Anna Roemer
Role: Hannah

Caleb Twiggs
Role: Mark

Duan Mu
Role: La Thaw Pay

Emily Smith
Role: Emma

Grace Smith
Role: Taylor

Heny Htoo
Role: Hsu Law Nay

Htee La Saw
Role: Du Moo

Htoo Ku Wah
Role: Htee Po Wah

Jarrett Kleitz
Role: Michael

Jes Moo Na
Role: Wah Koe

Julia Dapper
Role: Karen

Moo Pla Say
Role: Coo Coo

Osama
Role: Kan Latt

Paw Mu Shee
Role: Paw Mae

Poe Aye
Role: Bah Soe Gay

Rebecca Mathison
Role: Nancy

Sarah Smith
Role: Kaitlyn

Say Poe
Role: Moo Poe

Simone Williams
Role: Melissa

Wah Loe Paw
Role: Htoo Lwee

Alia Jeraj
Role: Production Assistant

Rada Kolarova
Role: Production Assistant

Tom Krueger
Role: Production Assistant

Margot Olsen
Role: Production Assistant

Leah Soule
Role: Stage Manager

Write a review

You will be able to write a review for this show during the festival.

User reviews

Creative and compelling
by Andrew Troth
Rating 4 stars
Amazing, inventive, and honest ensemble work by a young but fully engaged cast.

A Hidden Gem
by Isabel Nelson
Rating 5 stars
For me, this is what Fringe is about. A group of people - in this case, high schoolers - having the opportunity to tell a story worth telling. And they do so playfully, joyfully, and with their whole hearts. Go. You will not regret it.

Beautiful Example of Community-building
by Rachel Flynn
Rating 4 stars
Tonight I followed my gut and took a chance on "Twist of Fate" AND IM SO GLAD I DID! 
What I got to see was Community Theater in its purest, most effective/affecting form. Children from 2 very different backgrounds and experiences coming together to create and share a story, forming bridges and bonds that make our whole community that much richer and stronger.
It makes my heart feel bigger and warmer to have been able to witness the work these remarkable kids did, and I am now aware of a whole segment of our community that I had no knowledge of before tonight. 
Yay THEATRE!

FANTASTIC
by Annon ohmus
Rating 5 stars
I have seen this show three times! it only keeps getting better! I have seen the show three times. I love it.

The KaRen Students are beautiful in delivery... and in speech. the language is utterly fascinating. and the arguing is amazing. i recommend that EVERYONE SEES THIS SHOW

Interesting and Sweet Perspective
by Mark Long
Rating 4 stars
I am glad that the KaRen community has Tyler Olsen as their advocate.
All of the kids in this show do a nice job of telling their stories. It's a little rough, but amazing that it came together. I think preteens and teens would enjoy and relate to it well.

This was beautiful
by Scott Pakudaitis
Rating 4 stars
I love the Fringe because of shows like this. This is not a highly polished production with professional actors nor should it be. Karen and American youth got together to create this story from elements from their disparate backgrounds. Stranded on a remote island, instead of becoming a Lord of the Flies situation, the kids collaborated and learned from each other. I found this show quirky, engaging and educational, and I wept with joy at the sheer beauty of the cast singing and dancing together at the finale.

This was the shiz!! Done by kidz.
by Abe Levine
Rating 4 stars
Watching this show makes me A.) Want to learn Karen B.) Become a teacher of physical theater that works with youth C.) Get stuck on an island. Everything that's been said in the reviews is right on. These young actors convey an improbable drama in such a way that you become drawn into breaking down the boundaries of real and imagined, here (Arkansas) and there (Myanmar), and end up laughing a ton along the way. !Bravisimo companyeros!

Worth an hour of your time
by Claudia Haas
Rating 4 stars
There's a lot to recommend this - young performers in a play for teens that is not "kiddie theatre" and an imaginative and thoughtful script. I laughed at the bugs (and later the pizza), was moved by the moments of hardships and felt the experience a theatrical balm that engaged all of my senses. The performers threw their hearts into this and it showed. I loved the use of the bi-lingual. Very well done. The only quibble I had was the preachy monologue at the end of the play. You had already showed me what I needed to see and did not have to "tell" me later. I "got" it - and was moved by it.

Important Show
by Diogo Lopes
Rating 5 stars
I usually don't review shows but I have to for this one. What an amazing work from an amazing group of kids. Important and lovely work. You should go and see this show. It will warm your day...

From the mouths of babes
by Steven Kleitz
Rating 5 stars
We could all use a large dose of this show. Watching these kids find common ground and build a community through adversity is inspiring. In this show and in real life it is obvious that they have overcome the language and cultural barriers that keep many of us apart. It is evident that these teens have built a bridge that each of us cross.

Something Really Special
by Jessica Gunzburger
Rating 5 stars
"Twist of Fate" was something really special. I was struck by how the show was to touching and poignant and I still found myself smiling and laughing for most of the show. Overall, I found the show incredibly authentic and honest. There is something very real about young people of different cultures coming together to surface the major issues happening in our world that emphasizes the seriousness of the issues, yet still inspires hope.

There's something for everyone in this show--there's some dance, music, laughs, and tears. You won't miss by going to it!

Political and relevant for teens
by Scott Gilbert
Rating 4 stars
If you have a teenager - take them to this play. If you don't go see it yourself. It is a great statement on how we are so busy with our own lives, that we need to take a break and see things through a new perspective. I wish I had been on the island with these kids.

FUN
by Melanie Cogan
Rating 5 stars
I am blown away by the talented teens that make up the cast of a Twist of Fate. Not afraid to tackle a tough subject, they do it in a light hearted, funny and inspirational way. Definitely worth a look.
Mike Cogan

What it's all about
by Alex Schmuck
Rating 5 stars
This show expresses what theatre is all about. Not only are these kids talented, it is also clear that they deeply care about the message that the show is trying to convey.

The show is living proof that there doesn't need to be complex scenery, overpriced costumes, or famed performers in order to create a play that can emotionally awe and inspire an audience. For the designers out there, the element of sound is very impressive.

The story captures the audience through these use of witty humor, unusual conflict, and one of the biggest reality checks that our world desperately needs. It is impossible to watch this production without looking at our society through a lens that we try so hard to ignore.

Don't miss this wonderful experience!

Physical and Playful!
by Margot Olsen
Rating 5 stars
You will be engaged by the faces and voices of these American and KaRen teens telling an awesome story. So great to see diversity and hear the story of the newest refugees to the Twin Cities. It isn't just being bombarded with factual information, it is colorful, funny, poignant, physical and playful. Don't miss it. Margot Olsen

Creative and thought-provoking!
by Val Neri
Rating 5 stars
I was completely engaged and amazed with the creative collaboration of these young people with different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. They create incredible effects with just their voices and their bodies. Even though the Karen youth frequently spoke their own language (which I do not understand) I still understood what was going on. The story was captivating and has an important lesson - I left knowing a lot more than when I arrived about the people of Burma and what the different ethnic groups have gone through. Go see this - you won't be disappointed!

Kids bring it home, wherever that is
by Bob Olsen
Rating 5 stars
Nothing is impossible when you let teens tell stories from their own viewpoint and in their own voice. TWIST OF FATE does both magically with a cast of American and Karen refugees. GREAT show, profoundly moving, funny, and amazing when you realize half of the cast didn't even know what theatre was until they began work on the show!!

Ambitious and Earnest
by Lesli Randall
Rating 3 stars
This young cast from the Roseville area tackled a very ambitious topic with impressive sincerity. Well written and approachable, the story touched on issues teens the world 'round will recognize, and reminded me of two very important things: the value of diversity, and the comfort of knowing we're all in this together.

I highly recommend this for the teenagers in your life!

Lesli Randall
Minneapolis MN

Amazing performance
by Kay Hatlestad
Rating 5 stars
The cast uses minimal props, but manages to bring a tornado, a hurricane & a deserted island to life. The contrast between what scares the US kids & what the KaRen kids have seen punctuates laughter. A strong cast.

The ending gives hope for the future.