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Who We Are: Stories from the Surge
By Three Second Memory
Created by Bruce D. Manning
Playing at
Show Description
True stories from folks who experienced, confronted, and did their best to get themselves and their neighbors through Operation Metro Surge; documentary theater with more than 3 dozen characters. Love to MN!
Genre and Content
Content Warnings
The creators say this show is appropriate for ages 16 and up
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Video Trailer
Cast and Crew
Bruce Manning
Creator, producer, writerThis is the seventh show Bruce Manning (he/him) has produced but the first with a script. He's also told stories at the Moth, the Moth Grand Slam, Huge, Strike and the JCC.
David Hellstrom
Co-producer, writerDavid Hellstrom (he/him) is a gentleman, a scholar, a theatrical writer and a man living the dream. You can check out more of David’s work at the Fringe by seeing “When I Was Afraid” at the Phoenix Theatre
Beth Hawkins
Researcher / interviewerBeth Hawkins (she/her) is a Minneapolis journalist who got her start reporting in Central America in the 1980s. She has a deep understanding of the devastating role the United States has historically played in the crises that propel people from Latin America to seek safety and stability here today.
Nancy Stone
Spanish Interpreter (Aug 15/16)Nancy Stone (she/her) is a Minnesotan-born Spanish-English interpreter and translator. Along with the rest of the world, she witnessed the horrors of Operation Metro Surge and was proud to stand with our community to play a small part in supporting and defending our Minnesotan-by-choice immigrant neighbors and our shared values of justice, compassion and dignity.
Sean Gorman Orozco
Spanish Interpreter (Aug 15/16)Sean Gorman Orozco (he/him) is a state-certified Spanish court interpreter and local Realtor. He and his Costa Rican husband are incredibly proud of the strength and resilience their communities showed them, and profoundly grateful for the support they received during the atrocities of Operation Metro Surge. He remains committed to building stronger communities where every neighbor feels welcomed, supported, and valued.
Allison Broeren
Storytelling consultantAllison Broeren (she/her) is an award-winning storyteller, marketer, producer, and performer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Laura Migliorino
Ghost ShoesThe creator of Ghost Shoes 26 (https://iceghostshoes26.com/), Laura Migliorino (she/her) has received Jerome Foundation grants, Minnesota State Arts Board grants, and various exhibition prizes. Migliorino was an Affiliated Fellow at The American Academy in Rome, and a Fulbright Scholar at The British Library in 2022. Her work is in the collections of the Walker Art Center, Weisman Museum in Minneapolis, The Minnesota Center for Book Arts and The Warehouse in Atlanta. More information at https://www.lauramigliorinoart.com/
Rahma Abdi
PerformerRahma Abdi (she/her) is excited to be part of this production. Originally from Somalia, she is a mother of two who values learning, growth, and community. She hopes you enjoy the performance.
AJ Awed
PerformerAJ Awed (he/him) is an attorney, mediator, and first generation Somali immigrant. He currently serves as Co-Executive Director of Community Mediation Minnesota and is deeply committed to social justice, civic engagement, and community empowerment. AJ believes in the transformative power of mediation and its ability to help individuals resolve conflict, strengthen relationships, and create lasting positive change.
m boulette
Performerm boulette (they/them) is a parent, teacher, and attorney living in South Minneapolis. After more than a decade in large law firms, they now work in their own, small firm and divide their time between helping clients in family law disputes, teaching at local law schools, and mission-focused advocacy focusing on intersectional justice for Minnesota’s queer, trans, immigrant, and Native communities. www.boulettelaw.com
Martha Juliana Cubillos
PerformerMartha Juliana Cubillos (she/her or ella/ella) is a Colombian actress and producer. She holds an MFA in Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and a Bachelor's degree in Audiovisual Production from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Her screen credits include Detective Marañón, Netflix’s La Huésped, and Historia de un crimen: Mauricio Leal, as well as several independent short films. In the United States, she performed in academic productions such as 1984, Melancholy Play, and Brainpeople. Most recently, she appeared in "De noche todos los gatos dicen ti amo" with Amadeo Teatro in Colombia. https://marthajuliana.wixsite.com/mysite
Victor Garcia Benitez
PerformerVictor Garcia Benitez (he/him) is a Twin Cities-based performer Victor last stage performance was with Teatro Del Pueblo’s Romeo and Juliet: Love in a Time of Hate as Sampson. He holds a B.S in Theater and Political Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Shamso Iman
PerformerMy name is Shamso Iman (she/her) and I am a social work student with a passion for helping others. As a refugee, I have faced challenges that required resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. These experiences have shaped my values and inspired me to pursue a career in social work, where I hope to support individuals and families facing their own difficulties. I am committed to advocating for social justice, empowering others, and making a positive difference in my community.
Freddy Jara
PerformerFreddy Jara (he/him) was born in Chicago, raised in Minneapolis, and now he and his partner Steven call Golden Valley home. He's a realtor (https://freddyjararealestate.com/) and world traveler, with a love for Europe and South America, fine design, and their Siamese cat, Luna.
Kathryn Klibanoff
PerformerKathryn Klibanoff (she/her) grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, where she performed on local television, at repertory theater, and in high school musicals. In 1996, she and her husband, Jeremy, moved to Minneapolis, where they raised two daughters. Recently retired from her nonprofit consulting business, Kathryn is studying Spanish to stay connected with the many friends she made during the Surge. She is grateful for the opportunity to perform on stage once again.
Dee Kong
PerformerMinnesota has held and embraced Dee Kong (she/her) since she was a toddler. Although she lived in the Twin Cities most of her life, she made an escape to wander the world for a few years. However, Minnesota kept calling her back -- a reminder of the role she still has. The events in early 2026 have revealed what she’s been called to witness and to be.
Syliva Manning
PerformerSylvia Manning misspent her college years on stage and backstage, then became an academic. Now retired, she reaps the uncomplicated joys of grandparenthood and is grateful to help memorialize the terrors of Operation Surge and the resilience of this community.
Ben Marcy
PerformerBen Marcy (he/him) is a White cisgender man living in the Twin Cities. After completing his PhD from the University of Minnesota in late 2025, he is taking time to figure out his next chapter in professional life. He serves as Past Chair of the Coalition on Men and Masculinities, part of ACPA–College Student Educators International, helping connect masculinity scholars and practitioners. Additionally, Ben currently serves as a board member with Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP), develops curriculum on conflict resolution with University of Minnesota, Extension, and helps pull off arts actions with Big Animal Productions. He has a deep love of the radical arts scene the Twin Cities having previously worked for and performed with Bedlam Theatre.
Silvia Pontaza
PerformerSilvia Pontaza (she/her/ella) is a Guatemalan-born playwright, actor, director, and storyteller whose work is rooted in the belief that every story has the power to connect, transform, and inspire. Based in Minnesota, she has collaborated with Teatro del Pueblo as well as other Twin Cities theaters, including Mixed Blood Theatre and Theatre Latté Da, and has partnered with individual artists on a variety of original productions and multidisciplinary projects. Her work spans the stage, podcasts, and community storytelling, always centering authentic voices and meaningful human experiences. Silvia is proud to be part of Who We Are and grateful for every opportunity to use the arts to foster dialogue, build community, and celebrate the stories that bring us together.
Linnette Werner
PerformerLinnette Werner (she/her) is making her first appearance on stage since the late 1990s and couldn’t be happier to be part of this fascinating blend of art, history, and Minnesota culture. A Professor of Leadership Studies at Hamline University, she spends her professional life studying how people work together—and occasionally why they don’t. At home, she is known for organizing game nights and coercing unsuspecting family members and friends into performing truly terrible improv scenes. She apologizes to them all.
More Information
What you hear in this show has been sourced directly from dozens and dozens of personal interviews, public statements, and sworn testimony. Names have been changed, but the words are true words from real people.
Las presentaciones del sábado 15 de agosto a las 19:00 h y del domingo 16 de agosto a las 16:00 h contarán con interpretación simultánea al español. Necesitará un teléfono inteligente y preferiblemente auriculares (inalámbricos o con cable), y tendrá que bajar la aplicación indicada. En el lugar del evento se le proporcionará el enlace. Agradecemos a los intérpretes profesionales voluntarios que hacen posible esta iniciativa.
The shows on Saturday, August 15 at 7pm and Sunday, August 16 at 4pm will be simultaneously intepreted into Spanish, by live intepreters. The intepretation will be done live and off-stage, so you'll need a phone, ideally some ear buds or headphones, and the ability to log in a conference call app. A link to the app will be provided on-site. We're grateful to the volunteer professional intepreters who are making this happen.