Quote of the Day: Staging this work in the round has been a thrilling challenge, one that invited us to lean into the rawness and rhythm of Martyna Majok’s text. The non-linear structure, looping dialogue, and stripped-down poetry demand deep trust, precision, and heart. Our cast and creative team met that challenge with excellence and grace. Vanessa Brooke Agnes, director of Sanctuary City at Theatre in the Round Players in Minneapolis, playing through June 1, 2025. 

Theatre in the Round Players, a Minneapolis community theater that has been around for over 70 years, is completing its 73rd year with this poignant and powerful play Sanctuary City. Its final production of the season will be the hilarious new musical Endometriosis, the Musical (June 20 – July 13, 2025). From Pulitzer Prize winning plays like Sanctuary City to new plays and musicals to a classic Agatha Christie play, TRP has something for everyone. I am always fascinated by how they use their unique space. It’s literally “in the round,” as seating goes up in several sections around the arena style space. What they can do with acting, body language, light and sound design, accompanied by movable set pieces and props is truly amazing. 

Ana Paulina and Diego Symouksavanh in Sanctuary City at Theatre in the Round Players, thru 6/1/25. Promo Photos from TRP

The paragraph that I quoted from director Vanessa Brook Agnes at the top of this review describes the experience I had watching this play. I was immediately drawn into the language of the play, its rhythms and cadence, like a musical dance of words and ideas. The actors Ana Paulina and Diego Symouksavanh play two young people living in an apartment complex. Their characters are defined only by an initial Ana is G, and Diego is B. A third character, Henry, played by LJ Soudaly, appears in Act II. 

The set, brilliantly designed by Christopher Goddard, is bare-bones, as is the usual for a TRP production. When you walk into the theater, you notice three swings hanging from the ceiling and a hopscotch grid drawn on the floor. The side with stairs is where G enters “through a window” and they move into the space for the apartment. A park bench is also used as a bed. More concrete items are used in Act II to represent a more constant set location of B’s apartment a few years later. 

Through the dialogue and actions of G and B, you get the sense of fear in living in a country where you don’t quite belong, but you’ve never known anything different. B’s mother came to the US on a visa that has expired. G finally gains citizenship, but goes through much angst to get there, missing school because of worries about her mother and her home life. G aspires to get a college education. B doesn’t think that’s even possible for him. Throughout the play, they go through the story they will use if they get married and are questioned about its legitimacy. Asking questions like: Where did we meet? When did the relationship become romantic? What are unique things about each other – your tastes, your habits, your body?

Through the dialogue, you understand that the characters jump back and forth in time, remembering moments when they were young, conversations that happen over and over again, with slight changes. The lighting, designed by Andrew Vance, helps to show the changes in time and tension. The sound effects, designed by Eevee Pavey add so much to sense of place. 

Ana Paulina and Diego Symouksavanh in Sanctuary City at Theatre in the Round Players, thru 6/1/25. Promo Photos from TRP

Watching Sanctuary City in the unique space of Theatre in the Round is a fascinating experience. It gives you insight into the immigrant experience, the challenges, the fears, the hopes and dreams. After the performance last Sunday, a representative from Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota spoke with the audience. It was interesting to hear about current struggles and resources for people. This is a difficult issue that does not have an easy fix. This play reminds us that real people are affected by what’s happening. Their lives are at stake. 

You can see this timely and powerful production of Sanctuary City at Theatre in the Round Players through June 1, 2025.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Do you know anyone who is/was an immigrant to the U.S.A? I don’t have to look back too far to find them in my family. I’m only second generation. I’ve met and interacted with several people who were immigrants and are now naturalized citizen. They are wonderful, caring, hardworking people that I’m glad are my neighbors.