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MCC Daily Tribune

Punk Muse Performance Company to Debut at the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival

Please share with students:

Punk Muse Performance Company, co-founded by Theatre Professor and Program Director, Heather René Chang, will perform their debut show, Thicker Than Blood at the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival this Saturday, Sept. 13 at 12:30PM and next Saturday, Sept. 20 at 5:00PM at The School of the Arts Black Box Theatre.

Synopsis: "Sure, given family ties can be significant, but chosen family allows bonds to be forged based on shared values, experiences, and mutual respect. Thicker Than Blood will explore how chosen family exemplifies the idea that love and connection are not always defined by blood or obligation, but by the relationships we ourselves cultivate and cherish through choice." 

Director's Note: "At its core, this production is a celebration of belonging and healing. The actors grapple with their pasts, confronting pain, abuse, loss, and the complexities of familial relationships. Through their struggles, we witness the transformative power of performance art.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the artists involved in this project. By sharing their personal narratives through their artistic interpretations, they have opened a door to empathy and understanding. Their bravery in exposing their truths encourages us all to face our own histories with courage and compassion. It is through their artistry that we may find solace, connection, and hope.

As you watch this production, I encourage you to engage with the emotions on stage. Allow yourself to feel the weight of the actors' experiences and recognize the universality of their journeys. I invite you to embrace our stories, to find strength in vulnerability, and to recognize the profound impact that art can have on our lives. I hope you leave with a renewed appreciation not only for the artists who dare to share their truths, but for your own strength through personal strife. May you be inspired to find your own voice amidst the chaos as we have.

Thank you for joining us on this poignant exploration and celebration of chosen family. Let us embark on this journey of healing together, united by our shared humanity."

Mature content. Recommended for ages 16+. Tickets can be purchased via the Rochester Fringe Festival online ticket sales or in person.

Punk Muse Website and Digital Program  

Heather Chang
Visual and Performing Arts
09/11/2025