Art In This Present Moment
Sara Ochs: Bridging Theater and Music in a New Artistic Journey
Sara Ochs is a multidisciplinary theater artist and songwriter. With support from Art in This Present Moment, Sara will be exploring her talents as a songwriter, writing new music and potentially a one woman play.
Working in theater, specifically at Theater Mu, has helped Sara discover who she is as an artist and as an Asian American woman.
To help her bridge the “gap between lived experience and secondhand knowledge,” Sara is working with fellow artist Jennifer Weir. Jennifer has served as a sounding ear, helping Sara stay on track and come up with ideas through various writing exercises.
In addition to performing and singing, Sara is also a grant writer, a talented cook and photographer. Her home is living art that tells the stories of her lived experience. Her performance credits include productions with Theater Mu, Theater Latté Da, The Children’s Theatre Company, Nautilus Music-Theater, The Ordway, Park Square Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre Company and Asolo Repertory Theatre.
“ One of the things I love about performing and about theater the most is that it gives me the chance to step outside of myself and experience the world through other people’s stories and other people’s perspectives.”
Sara Ochs
About the Organization
Theater Mu celebrates and empowers Asian American artists through theater by providing them with opportunities to share their voice, culture and heritage. It is one of the largest Asian American theater companies in the United States and is the largest in the Midwest.
Art In This Present Moment
This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. We provided grants to three Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.
More Stories
Fostering Wealth in Minnesota’s Indigenous Communities
Learn how Mni Sota Fund supports Native homeownership in the Twin Cities.
See their impact
Emma Norton Services: A Century of Transformative Housing
For more than 100 years this renowned nonprofit has ensured that people in Minnesota have a safe and affordable place to call home.
See the impact
Juana Garcia: Celebrating Cultural Traditions Through Dance
Dance has been a way for Juana (Jaynie) Garcia to connect to her Mexican heritage, introducing Ballet Folklorico to others in the city of Willmar.
See the project
Rondo's Heartbeat: The Enduring Impact of Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
Learn how this community center has served as a safe haven for generations in Saint Paul.
Watch the video
Drumming for Unity: A Vision for Community Change
Created by John Salgado Maldonado, Cimarrón Batucada uses the art of drumming to address social justice issues and promote cross-cultural community engagement.
See the project
Announcing Our New Strategic Plan
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation launches our strategic plan for the next five years. Watch our video to see our aspiration, purpose and key strategies.
Watch the video
We’ve Moved
On January 21, 2025, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation relocated to Osborn370, a dynamic hub of innovation and diversity in downtown Saint Paul.
Read about our move
From Lab to Stage: Kenji Shoemaker's Unique Path in Theater
There’s a unique art and science to prop and stage design. These skills helped former scientist Kenji Shoemaker switch careers, showcasing his talents behind the curtains.
See the project