January 31, 2018 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the latest production of Twenty Percent Theater Company’s "The Naked I." The show brings together the stories and experiences of people who self-identify as trans, queer, or otherwise gender non-conforming.
November 17, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles 10-year-old Sophie Jones of Chaska. The young actor makes her debut in the high-profile role of Tiny Tim at The Guthrie’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”
August 29, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles J. Otis Powell‽, a well-respected local poet, playwright, and performer, who died on August 28th, 2017. Those who knew him say he was an uncompromising artist, a provocateur and — perhaps most importantly — a mentor to generations of other writers and performers.
July 19, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles artist Joe Sinness and his exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that explores - and celebrates - facets of gay male sexuality with lovingly detailed drawings. The exhibit is called "The Flowers."
June 7, 2017 - MPR's Marianne Combs interviews poet and spoken word artist Bao Phi about his new book of poetry "Thousand Star Hotel," in which he reflects on his youth living in Minneapolis and discusses the legacy of trauma.
May 18, 2017 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles Vietnamese American spoken word artist Bao Phi, who talks of the how racial trauma affects both his poetry and life. Phi also discusses his collection, “Thousand Star Hotel.”
July 21, 2016 - MPR’s Marianne Combs reports on the opening of play "Disgraced" at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The play deals with racial politics and reflects the Guthrie's effort to stage more diverse stories, with more diverse casts. Combs reports that there's another diversity push getting underway - backstage.
July 14, 2016 - With Hennepin History Museum hosting an exhibition on the Quatrefoil Library, MPR’s Marianne Combs profiles the library and its history. Quatrefoil is one of just a few LGBT lending libraries in the nation.
June 17, 2016 - MPR’s Marianne Combs profile on the story of a young Filipino's fascination with the world of pro wrestling. The play is titled “tot: The Untold Story of a Filipino Hulk Hogan,” and is the 50th new work Mu Performing Arts has produced.
May 13, 2016 - MPR’s Marriane Combs reports on "Seeds of Change" exhibit at Museum of American Art in downtown St. Paul. The exhibit focuses on the creation of a Hmong collective farm and illustrates how the project is allowing farmers to plan — and plant — for the future.