The Ballad of Freddie Ohr

A story of fight and flight takes the stage at the Museum when Seattle-based actor Minki Bai presents The Ballad of Freddie Ohr, a solo performance depicting the experiences of Fred Ohr, who during World War II became the first and only Korean American flying ace.
The story of this decorated flyer is based upon interviews with Ohr and inspired by American folk songs and tall tales like Paul Bunyan and John Henry. The play uses music and firsthand accounts to explore the immigrant experience and detail Ohr’s dogged pursuit of his dream to fly despite a rough childhood in the Idaho countryside, racial discrimination and finally German air attacks.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (Two performances)
This program is FREE for Museum Members and included in the cost of General Admission.
About the Artist
Minki Bai (he/him) is a Seattle-based actor, improviser, teaching artist, and all-around storyteller. Minki is a recent graduate of the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program, where he earned his MFA in Acting and produced The Ballad of Freddie Ohr as part of his thesis. As an artist, Minki believes in empowering his community with narratives and performances that are adventurous, truthful, and a little silly. His work celebrates identity, belonging, and our place in a larger, unjust world. Recent theatre credits include UW School of Drama’s The Seagull, The Winter’s Tale, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Minki has also taught acting and improv at Taproot Theatre, Jet City Improv, and the University of Washington.