It’ s a fulfilling experience she wants fellow artists to have as well.

Once she finishes her master’ s degree in fine arts at Wayne State University in Detroit, Vang wants to return to Fresno and establish a production company or non-profit that broadens access to theater opportunities for performers of varying races. Her goal is to help artists whose work has been under-represented and establish a collaboration hub.

“ I want to focus on promoting diverse voices and telling their stories. I especially want to highlight the local communities, build access to theater for Fresno, and educate and uplift marginalized voices,” Vang said.

Vang’ s love of the theater began at Manchester GATE Elementary School in the fourth grade when she was part of her first play,“ School House Rock.” Her costume was traditional Hmong clothes.

“ The moment I started theater, I loved it,” Vang said.

She also performed with the Junior Company of Fresno’ s Good Company Players when she was in elementary school and was in several productions at Edison High.

Those performances, along with being president of the Asian Club, were highlights for her during high school. She also credits several teachers at Edison with setting her on the path to further her education.

“ I’ m deeply appreciative to my teachers. I think they inspired me to really challenge myself,” Vang said.

She sees her alma mater as a special place.“ There is a magic that comes with Edison students,” Vang said.“ I deeply connect with Edison graduates.”

In high school, Vang considered a career in medicine – a path that her parents encouraged. But she decided to pursue her passion for theater and performing.“ I felt the pull to do something I really loved,” she said.

After graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor’ s degree in theater arts performance, she returned to Fresno and began substitute teaching for Fresno Unified and taught in the Hmong English learner after school program.

Working with students during this time inspired her to write“ Hmong Class 101” in 2021.

“ The play reflects my journey and dealing with my Hmong and American identities. The students reminded me so much of myself,” Vang said.

Her mother’ s family was among the first wave of Hmong refugees who immigrated to the United States beginning in the 1970s, fleeing Communist retaliation for assisting the U. S. in the Secret War in Laos. Like many Hmong who are the children of refugees, Vang grew up balancing two cultures.

Teaching Hmong students helped her reconnect with her roots, increased her Hmong language skills and gave her confidence when she sometimes wondered if she was“ Hmong enough.”

“ BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR THE STUDENTS WAS ONE OF MY GREATEST EXPERIENCES,” VANG SAID.

Vang’ s first performance of“ Hmong Class 101” was at Fresno’ s Rogue Festival in 2023. The play has also been commissioned by Hmong Innovating Politics as part of the organization’ s outreach to Hmong people. Vang also collaborated on the Hmong comedy show“ Hib Hib,” which means“ hee hee.”

She followed her 2023 performance with a solo presentation of“ The Latehomecomer” at the festival in March 2024.“ The Latehomecomer” is an award-winning family memoir by Kao Kalia Yang that has been adapted for the stage by the Literature to Life theater company.

In May, Vang performed the 55-minute adaptation for Fresno Unified high schools, including two community performances at Edison and Sunnyside high schools. It was a full-circle moment for Vang to return to her beloved school.

“ Going back to Edison was exciting. The Hmong program and the theater program have grown since I’ ve graduated,” Vang said.“ The students have a deep sense of pride, and I loved seeing a deep support from staff in both areas.”

Jasmine Vang performs the one-person show, " The Latecomer."

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