Saymoukda is a Lao-American playwright, poet, and children's book author. Her work is focused on creating tools and spaces for the amplification of refugee voices through poetry, theater, and experimental cultural production. Praised for “her combination of difficult themes, honesty, pop culture, and extreme theatricality” (Hayley Finn, AD Theater J), she’s best known for her award-winning play KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS CANNIBALS (Theater Mu) and children’s book WHEN EVERYTHING WAS EVERYTHING (Full Circle Publishing). 

Her plays include UPSTREAM (Mixed Blood), KUNG FU ZOMBIES VS SHAMAN WARRIOR (Smithsonian), TITLE IX (Theater Unbound), THE SNOW QUEEN (Rosetown Playhouse), and HMONG LAO FRIENDSHIP PLAY. Her work has been presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (NY), Theater Mu (MN), Mixed Blood Theatre (MN), Lower Depth Theater (LA), Asian Improv Arts (IL), and elsewhere. 

This year, she’s a Mellon Fdn Playwright in Residence at Theater Mu, a Jerome Fdn + Camargo Fdn Artist in Residence in Cassis, France, a Playwrights Center Core Writer, a Lanesboro Arts Artist in Residence, and a Forecast Public Art grantee. Recent honors include prestigious residencies at Kennedy Center, Djerassi, and Hedgebrook; and fellowships from Bush Fdn, McKnight Fdn, Jerome Fdn, and the Center for Cultural Power. 

Other awards include grants and fellowships from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation, MAP Fund, Loft Literary Center, Playwrights’ Center, PEN America, and dozens more. 

Saymoukda’s community contributions include serving on the City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Board and Governor Tim Walz's State Poet Laureate Program Design Committee and Interview & Selection Committee. 

She holds a Master in Liberal Studies degree (arts and cultural leadership + public policy) and co-hosted a podcast on Minnesota Public Radio.

Her upcoming plays include commissions from Theater Mu (MN 2026), InterAct Theatre Co. (PA 2026), and the University of MN Immigration History and Research Center (MN).

In May 2025, she was recognized as a 1MN History Maker by the Governor’s office and presented with a Proclamation on behalf of MN’s Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.