Current Positions (2014 to present)
- Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director, Full Circle Theater Company, Minneapolis
- Freelance Stage Director and Playwright
Former Positions:
- Artist Residency at InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia for Doris Duke Foundation Building Demand For The Arts Program, Implementation Round, 2016 - 2018
- Artist Residency at InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia for Doris Duke Foundation Building Demand For The Arts Program, Explorations Round, 2014
- Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Theater Mu/Mu Performing Arts, 1993 - 2013
- Founder, Artistic Director, Performer, Composer, Mu Daiko, Mu Performing Arts, 1997 - 2010
- Staff Story Editor for CTV (Canadian TV) Program ENG, 1991-1992
- Freelance Writer (plays & screenplays) 1982 - 1991
- Coordinator, Powell Street Festival (Vancouver), 1976 - 1981
- Staff, Tonari Gumi (Vancouver), 1975 - 1976
- Teacher, St. Paul’s College in Hong Kong, 1973 - 1974
Awards and Recognitions:
- Western Literature Association Distinguished Achievement Award, 2017
- The McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist Award, 2015
- Barrymore Awards Nomination for “Outstanding Direction”of world premiere of Caught at InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia, 2014 (play later won 2015 Obie Award)
- Minnesota State Arts Board Individual Artist Initiative Grant Recipient, to write play based on Xinran’s Message From An Unknown Chinese Mother, 2014
- Rick Shiomi Archive created by the Library of Congress, Asian American and Pacific Islander Collections, 2013
- Ivey Award for Lifetime Achievement, Minneapolis/St. Paul Theater, 2012
- Sally Ordway Irvine Award for Vision, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 2008
- Powell Street Festival 30th Anniversary Recognition Award, 2006
- Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts, State Council for Asian Pacific Minnesotans, 2002
- Minnesota State Arts Board Cultural Collaborations Grant Award, with Cha Yang and SteppingStone Theater for Tiger Tales: Hmong Folktales, 2000
- The Playwrights’ Center Cultural Collaborations Grant Award with Gao Hong for Song of the Pipa, 1999
- Minnesota State Arts Board Cultural Collaborations Grant Award for Taiko Drumming Collaboration with Ragamala Music and Dance Theater, 1998
- Ruby Schaar Yoshino Playwriting Award for Uncle Tadao, 1990
- Residency, to write Uncle Tadao, Banff Playwrights' Colony, 1990
- Commissioned by the Japanese Canadian Redress Implementation Committee to write Uncle Tadao, 1989
- Ontario Multicultural Theater Awards for Yellow Fever, 1984
- The Bernie Award given by the San Francisco Chronicle for Yellow Fever, 1983
- The Bay Area Theater Circle Critics Award for Yellow Fever, 1982
Education:
Teaching Diploma
- Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, 1972
B.A. History
- University of Toronto, 1970
STAGE DIRECTION CREDITS (selected)
- Caught by Christopher Chen, Full Circle Theater, at Dowling Studio of Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, May/June 2019 (upcoming)
- his adaptation of The Mikado, Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera, Minneapolis, March 2019 (upcoming)
- 365 Days/365 Plays by Suzan Lori Park, Full Circle Theater (directed 16 short plays of 46 total) Penumbra Theatre, St. Paul, 2017
- You for Me For You by Mia Chung, InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia, 2017
- Theater: A Sacred Passage by R.A. Shiomi, et al., St. Paul tour by Full Circle Theater, 2016
- Theater: A Sacred Passage by R.A. Shiomi, et al., Full Circle Theater at Dreamland Arts, St. Paul, 2015
- The Language Archive by Julia Cho, Park Square Theatre, St. Paul, 2015
- World Premiere of Caught by Christopher Chen, InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia, 2014
- M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang, Theatre Esprit Asia, Denver, 2014
- A Little Night Music by Sondheim/Wheeler, Mu Performing Arts at Park Square Theater, 2014
- his adaptation of The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan, Mu Performing Arts and Skylark Opera, E.M. Pearson Theater, St. Paul, 2013
- Yellow Fever by R.A. Shiomi, Mu Performing Arts at the Dowling Studio of the Guthrie Theater, 2013
- Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, Mu Performing Arts at Park Square Theatre, St. Paul, 2012
- The King And I by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Bloomington Civic Theatre, Bloomington MN, 2010
- Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang, Mu Performing Arts at the Dowling Studio of the Guthrie Theater, 2010
- Flower Drum Song by Rodgers and Hammerstein, new book by David Henry Hwang, Mu Performing Arts at the McKnight Theater, Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 2009
- Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, Mu Performing Arts & Southern Theater, 2006
- Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare, co-director, Theater Mu collaboration with Stages Theatre, 2002
- Temple of Dreams by Marcus Quiniones, Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, 2002
- A Song For A Nisei Fisherman by Philip Kan Gotanda, Theater Mu at Old Arizona Studios, Minneapolis, 2001
- Tiger Tales: Hmong Folktales by Cha Yang and R.A. Shiomi, Theater Mu & SteppingStone Theater, St. Paul, 2001
- Maui and the Soul of the Sun by Marcus Quiniones, Theater Mu and The Southern Theater, 2000
- Song of the Pipa by R. A. Shiomi, Theater Mu and the Southern Theater, 2000
- Tale of the Dancing Crane, by R.A. Shiomi, Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts, 1999
- The Walleye Kid by R.A. Shiomi and Sundraya Kase, Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, 1998
- S.A.M. I Am by Garrett H. Omata, Theater Mu at the Hennepin Center for the Arts, 1998
- River of Life, a trilogy about Southeast Asian Immigrants, co-produced by Theater Mu & The Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul 1994
- Yankee Dawg You Die by Philip Kan Gotanda, Interact Theater in Philadelphia, 1994
- Mask Dance by R. A. Shiomi, Theater Mu & Southern Theater, 1993
- FOB by David Henry Hwang, Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco, 1992
PLAYWRITING Credits
2018 Fire In The New World (in development)
2016 Theater: A Sacred Passage (co-author)
2015 Message From An Unknown Chinese Mother (adaptation)
2013 The New Mikado, his adaptation of The Mikado, by Gilbert and Sullivan
2010 Sugami Sunset (not yet produced)
2006 Filipino Hearts (musical/co-author of book)
2005 Walleye Kid: The Musical (co-author of book)
2003 Magic Bus To Asian Folktales (co-author)
2002 Temple of Dreams (co-author)
2001 Tiger Tales: Hmong Folktales (co-author)
2000 Song of the Pipa
1999 Tale of the Dancing Crane
1998 The Walleye Kid (co-author)
1994 River of Life (co-author)
1993 Mask Dance
1993 Eastern Parade (co-author)
1992 Uncle Tadao
1988 Play Ball
1987 Rosie’s Café
1987 Prime Time
1986 Jan Ken Po (co-author)
1985 Once Is Never Enough (co-author)
1982 Yellow Fever
PLAY PRODUCTION CREDITS (selected)
2018 Yellow Fever
Haisho Theatre Company, Tokyo, Japan
2016 Theater: A Sacred Passage (co-author)
Full Circle Theater Company, Dreamland Arts and other St. Paul venues
2015 Theater: A Sacred Passage (co-author)
Full Circle Theater at Dreamland Arts, St. Paul.
2015 Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother
Dreamland Arts, St. Paul
2013 Yellow Fever
Mu Performing Arts at the Dowling Studio of the Guthrie Theater
2011 Rosie's Cafe
Haisho Theatre Company, Tokyo, Japan
2011 The Magic Bus to Asian Folktales (co-author)
Theater Mu and SteppingStone Theatre For Youth, St. Paul
2009 Tiger Tales: Hmong Folktales (co-author)
Theater Mu and SteppingStone Theatre For Youth, St. Paul
2008 Walleye Kid, The Musical (co-author, book & lyrics)
Mu Performing Arts at the McKnight Theater
The Ordway Center For The Performing Arts, St. Paul
2006 Filipino Hearts (co-author book & lyrics)
Mu Performing Arts at Southern Theater, Minneapolis
2005 The Walleye Kid, The Musical (co-author, book & lyrics)
Mu Performing Arts at Mixed Blood Theater, Minneapolis
2004 Yellow Fever
Ryuzanji Theater Company, Tokyo Japan
2003 The Magic Bus to Asian Folktales (co-author)
Theater Mu and SteppingStone Theatre For Youth, St. Paul
2002 Temple of Dreams (co-author)
Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis
2002 Yellow Fever
Ryuzanji Theater Company, Tokyo, Japan
2001 Tiger Tales: Hmong Folktales (co-author)
Theater Mu & SteppingStone Theater, St. Paul
2000 Song of the Pipa
Theater Mu & The Southern Theater
1999 Tale of the Dancing Crane
Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts
1998 The Walleye Kid (co-author))
Theater Mu & Intermedia Arts
1995 Mask Dance
Theater Mu & Southern Theater
1994 River of Life (co-author)
Part of trilogy River of Dreams
Theater Mu & Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul
1993 Mask Dance
Theater Mu & Southern Theater
1993 Eastern Parade (annual touring educational show)
Mixed Blood Theatre--toured the Midwest 1993 - 2004
1992 Uncle Tadao
East West Players, Los Angeles
1992 Uncle Tadao
Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco
1991 Rosie’s Cafe,
Vancouver’s Firehall Theater National Canadian Tour
1989 Rosie’s Cafe
Pan Asian Repertory Theater’s United States Tour
1988 Play Ball
Pan Asian Repertory, New York City
1988 Rosie’s Cafe
Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco
1987 Rosie's Cafe
Pan Asian Repertory, New York
1987 Prime Time (book author)
AMAS Music Theater, New York City
1986 Jan Ken Po (co-author)
Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco
1985 Once Is Never Enough (co-author)
Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco
1985 Once Is Never Enough (co-author)
Pan Asian Repertory, New York city
1983 Yellow Fever
Pan Asian Repertory, NYC (Off Broadway Production)
1983 Yellow Fever
East West Players, Los Angeles
1983 Yellow Fever
CanAsian Group, Toronto, Canada
1982 Yellow Fever
Pan Asian Repertory, New York City
1982 Yellow Fever - Premiere
Asian American Theater Company, San Francisco
OTHER WRITING CREDITS
1990 - 1992 Story Editor, ENG, Canadian Television Dramatic Series
Produced by CTV Television Network
1991 Script Writer for In Love and War episode of ENG
1992 Script Writer for episode, Dance to Remember
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Inside Stories Anthology Series
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
2005 - Present Founding member of CAATA (Consortium of Asian American
Theaters and Artists)
2006 - 2014 Board Member, CAATA
2014 Plenary Moderator/Panelist, CAATA ConFest, Philadelphia
2014 Organizer, Play Reading Series for CAATA ConFest Philadelphia
2005, 2007 - 2011 Participant, Symposia at the Kennedy Center for Minority
Arts Organizations in the area of Capacity Building
2008 Member, Host Committee, 2nd National Asian American Theater
Conference, Shaping Our Voice and Vision, the Guthrie Theater
2008 Panelist, Bear Arts Foundation Emerging Writers
of Color Program and planning for ColorFest 2010 in Los Angeles
2008 Served on local Co-Host Committee for 2nd National Asian American
Theater Conference.
2006 - 2008 Artistic Director Mentor to Randy Reyes, TCG Future Leaders program,
2007 Member, National Steering Committee, First National Asian American
Theater Festival, New York City.
2006 Member, Ford Foundation Panel for Emerging Writers of Color Project
2006 Panelist, Presentation by Founding Companies of CAATA,
discussing the organization of Next Big Bang, the First National
Asian American Theater Conference, held in Los Angeles
2005/6 Member of Steering Committee for Next Big Bang, First National Asian
American Theater Conference held in Los Angeles, June 2006
2005 Founding member of CAATA (Consortium of Asian American
Theaters and Artists)
2004 Attendee and participant, Theater Communications Group White Oaks
follow up retreat/meeting for theaters of color
2003 Attendee and participant, Theater of Color Convening at White Oaks
sponsored by Theater Communications Group
2003-2006 Participant, Kennedy Center Online Chats: Capacity Building for minority
arts organizations
2001 Participant, Ford Foundation Convening of Asian Arts Organizations
Seattle, WA
Minnesota Leadership Activities
2009 - 2018 Board of Directors, Minnesota Theater Alliance
2009 Committee for the creation of the Minnesota Theater Alliance
2007 - 2009 Advisory committee, Twin Cities Ivey Awards
2004 - 2005 Co-chair of Minneapolis MOSAIC, a festival celebrating arts and diversity in Minneapolis
2004 -2007 Board of Directors, Minnesota Citizens For The Arts
1997 - 2003 Board of Directors, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
2001 Advisory Committee, COMPAS Writers and Artists in the Schools
1999 - 2001 Steering Committee, Asian Pacific Community/Cultural Center
1998 Founding Member, Many Voices Program, The Playwrights Center,
Minneapolis
1998 - 2001 Committee Member, facilitator, Playwrights Center Many Voices
Program
1994 – 2001 Core Writer/Member, The Playwrights’ Center
Other Memberships:
- Minnesota State Arts Board Cultural Advisory Committee
- Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Cultural Advisory Committee
Selected Publications about Rick Shiomi’s Life and Work
- Rebecca Gross, “Art Talk with Playwright & Director Rick Shiomi,” National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works Blog, May 31, 2016,
https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2016/art-talk-playwright-director-rick-shiomi
- Rick Shiomi: 2015 Distinguished Artist, The McKnight Foundation: Commemorative book featuring essays about his local, national, and international influence as a theater artist, director, musician, and mentor; with chronology of his work and life; currently available on The McKnight Foundation website https://www.mcknight.org/news-ideas/resource/2105-daa-rick-shiomi/
- “Rick Shiomi Carving a Space: A Playwright-Turned-Artistic Director Fosters Asian-American Theatre in the Heart of the Prairie,” American Theatre Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 1, January, 2009
There are also numerous other chapters or articles about his work as a playwright, artistic director, and stage director in various books, magazines and newspapers. Rick Shiomi has been interviewed countless times over his career for newspapers, magazines, online publications, and radio programs.
PUBLICATIONS (as author or co-editor)
Books
- Lee, Josephine, Don Eitel, R. A. Shiomi, editors, Asian American Plays for a New Generation. Temple University Press, 2011 (Six of the seven new plays featured in this anthology were developed and given world premieres under his artistic leadership at Mu Performing Arts)
- Nina Lee Aquino, editor, Love and RelASIANships, Vol. I, Playwrights Canada Press, 2010 (Author of book preface; and this collection includes his play Yellow Fever)
- Srikanth, Rajini, and Esther Y. Iwanaga. Bold Words: A Century of Asian American Writing. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press, 2001 (his play Mask Dance included)
- R. A. Shiomi, Rosie’s Cafe, Playwrights Union of Canada, 1989
- R. A. Shiomi, Yellow Fever, Playwrights Canada, 1984
- R. A. Shiomi, Yellow Fever, in Westcoast Chronicles, vol. 13, 1984
- Rick Shiomi, co-editor, Inalienable Rice: A Chinese and Japanese Canadian Anthology, Powell Street Revue and The Chinese Canadian Writers Workshop, Vancouver, 1979
Online Collection of Asian American Drama
- Josephine D. Lee, Esther S. Kim, Karen Shimakawa, James S. Moy, editorial advisors, the Alexander Street Press Asian American Playwrights Database, includes 14 of his plays
Selected Articles
- Rick Shiomi, “Getting on the Radar in Unexpected Places: The Philadelphia Asian Theater Project,” Howlround: Theatre Commons, January 3, 2017
- Rick Shiomi, “Making ‘The Mikado’ without Asian stereotypes,” op ed piece (by invitation) in The Seattle Times, July 27, 2014
- Rick Shiomi, “Zen and the Art of Leaving,” Howlround: Theatre Commons, July 24, 2013
- Rick Shiomi, Opinion Essay for Diversity Forum, Non-Traditional Casting Project website, New York City, January 2007
- Rick Shiomi, “Voice, Community, Culture, Responsibility and Visible Minority Playwrights: Visible Means of Support,” reprinted in Theatre in British Columbia, Critical Perspectives on Canadian Theatre in English, Playwrights Canada Press, 2006
- Rick Shiomi, “Voice, Community, Culture, Responsibility and Visible Minority Playwrights: Visible Means of Support,” Theatrum: The Theatre Magazine, Winter, 1990/91
- Rick Shiomi, “On Playing Ball,” TheaterWeek, March, 1989
- Rick Shiomi, “Crossing Borders,” Canadian Theatre Review, volume 56, fall 1988, University of Toronto Press
- Rick Shiomi, “Three for the Road: Chronicle of a Collaborative Writing Experience among Three Asian American Playwrights,”Bridge: Asian American Perspectives, spring, 1985, vol. 10, number 1
Radio
- Rick Shiomi, Commentary, composed and read for Pacific Time Radio Program, KQED Public Media for Northern California, San Francisco, 2007
Grant Review Panels (selections)
National
2011 National Endowment for the Arts, Panel Member, Theater Arts
2008 TCG (Theater Communications Group) Future Leaders Grant
2001 National Endowment for the Arts, Panel Member, Theater Arts
1998 National Endowment For The Arts, Arts Management Panel
Regional
2018 Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Capital Support
2016 Minnesota State Arts Board, Operating Support
2014 Knight Foundation Arts Challenge Grants
2013 VSA Artist Grant Awards (for artists with disabilities)
PANELIST, MODERATOR, SPEAKER (selections)
National / International Conferences
- Panelist, CAATA ConFest breakout session, Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists, “Revolutionary Acts,” Chicago, 2018
- Moderator, “Other Spaces” breakout session, CAATA ConFest, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, October 2016
- Speaker discussing Asian American Plays for a New Generation, The Library of Congress, Asian Reading Room, Washington DC; and at InterAct Theatre, Philadelphia, July 2011
- Opening Panelist for “Genesis: The First Asian Canadian Theater Conference,” Toronto 2010, sponsored by fu-GEN Theatre
- Panelist, "Through The Lens of Culture," Americans for the Arts Conference, Philadelphia, June 2008
- Moderator, “Leadership Transition” panel, Theater Communications Group National Conference, Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, June 2007
- Panelist, “Commissioning Culturally Specific Work” at the ASSITEJ/USA One Theatre World 2007 Rattling Cages Conference, St. Paul (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People)
- Panelist, "Twin Cities Ingredients," Literary Managers and Dramaturges of America National Conference, 2006
- Speaker, Seminar on Nikkei Theater in North America, the Association of Japan Stage Directors in Tokyo and Osaka 2004
- Speaker, Sixth Annual Ritsumeikan University/ University of British Columbia Seminar held in Kyoto, Japan, 2000
- Guest Speaker, “Write About Now” Conference on visible minority playwrights sponsored by Cahoots Theatre Project, Toronto, 1990
- Panelist, “Asian American Theater, ” American Theater in Higher Education Conference, Chicago, 1990
Minnesota Conferences/Meetings (selections)
- Panelist, “Coming Full Circle: Diversity in the Decision-Making Process,” Minnesota Theater Alliance Statewide Theater Conference, October, 2017
- Panelist, “20 Years of Adoption Theater” breakout session, Sixth Biennial Conference of the Alliance for the Study of Adoption And Culture, Minneapolis October, 2016
- Panelist, “Conversations on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” sponsored by the Guthrie Theater October, 2016
- Speaker, Multicultural Cultural Center for Diversity annual dinner, 2005
- Keynote Speaker, Japanese American Citizens’ League, Minnesota Chapter, Annual Heritage Dinner, 2004
OTHER NATIONAL CONFERENCES/FESTIVALS ATTENDED (selected)
- TCG (Theater Communication Group) National Conventions: 2013 (Philadelphia), 2010 (Chicago), 2009 (Baltimore), 2008 (Denver), 2007 (Minneapolis), 2006 (Atlanta), 2005 (Seattle), 2001 (San Francisco), 1999 (Princeton, NJ)
- Colorfest, a National Multicultural Theater Festival, San Diego, 2010
- National Taiko Conferences: 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005
- National Performing Arts Conference (NPAC) and annual Theater Communications Group Conference, Denver, 2008
TAIKO CREDITS
Mu Daiko Stage Director, Performer, Composer:
2009 Taiko Caravan, Southern Theater
2008 Mu Daiko at the Ritz Theater II
2007 Mu Daiko at the Ritz Theater I
2006 Taiko Dreams, Southern Theater
2005 TenChi Taiko of Mu Daiko, Southern Theater
2004 Taiko Blizzard, Southern Theater, Composer, Kiyomizu Cascade
2003 Drums of Fire, Southern Theater. Composer, Ariel Kaze
2003 Snow Drums of Mu Daiko, Southern Theater, Composer, Chrysanthemum Dawn
2001 Spirit Drums of Mu Daiko, Southern Theater, Composer, Shifting Sands
2000 Taiko Storm at Southern Theater, Composer, Kumano Ki
1999 Pounding Hooves of Mu Daiko, Southern Theater
1998 Thunder Drums, Southern Theater, Composer, Journey To Toji Temple and New Dawn
1997 Taiko Concert, Intermedia Arts, Composer, Pounding Hooves
Taiko Performer, Vancouver, San Francisco, New York City, Toronto:
1986 - 1988 Member/Performer Wasabi Daiko of Toronto
1982 - 1983 Performed with Soh Daiko of New York
1980 -1982 Member/Performer, San Francisco Taiko Dojo
1979 Original Member/Performer, Katari Taiko of Vancouver