Iowa WINs presents ‘Vang’

Iowa WINs will present award-winning author Mary Swander’s play called Vang at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center in Mt. Pleasant.

The play is produced by Swander Women Productions, a theater company that designs and creates dramatic performances, focusing on topics such as food, farming, and rural areas.

Within Vang, there are a variety of people represented.

There’s a Hmong family who fled the Communist regime and wild tigers as they made their way through the jungle of Laos and across the Mekong River to a refugee camp in Thailand.

A Sudanese man in Ethiopia was thrown in prison for helping the Lost Boys. He was left gasping for air through a small slit under the door.

A Mexican woman taught herself English by learning the profane words thrown at her during her first job at a meatpacking plant.

Then there’s a Dutch boy, who dressed up as a cowboy and put the Netherlands flag through a paper shredder, declaring, “I am an American.”

These are but a few of the characters portrayed and brought to life in Vang. The drama is based explicitly on immigrant farmers.

The play was created in collaboration between Mary Swander and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Deni Chamberlin.

Swander and Chamberlin conducted interviews with immigrant farmers to create what is now Vang, which means “garden” or “farm” in Hmong.

Following the interviews, Swander transcribed the discussions to form the verbatim play. It captures their struggles, survival skills, and journeys to the U.S.

Each person’s experience is unique on its own, whether it be escaping violence, fleeing poverty, or pursuing agribusiness ventures. One thing that’s for certain is that these immigrants grew up on farms, and their goal was to continue that livelihood once again.

The play will be performed by two actors, Rip Russell and Mt. Pleasant native Amy Johnson Schaefer. It also will feature photographs from Chamberlin.

Admission to the event is free. A freewill offering will be accepted, with proceeds going to Iowa WINs. Masks are required to attend.

The performance will last no longer than an hour. Swander will briefly follow the performance with a talkback and a Q&A.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com