77th Live! | Live Loud, Live Thai


Minnie Lagrimas, Host Minnie had plans to amass a warehouse full of art as an art thief but her plans changed when a renowned Hollywood casting director suggested that she try acting. After graduating from Penn State University with her B.A. in Film, she hopped on a plane to the 77th province armed with two suitcases and a month-long hotel reservation. Since then, she's made Southern California her home and has worked in theater, film and television. When Minnie's not busy hosting 77th Live, she can be found cheering for her beloved Nittany Lions football team, reading the William Shatner fansite, traveling to the East Coast or lawn bowling.
Don Thiel, Host Paradorn "Don" Thiel was born in Thailand, and has called Southern California home since 1989. He has a degree in Theatre from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film, and Television. He has appeared in numerous stage productions, which include his fondest works in Jean Genet's "The Balcony," Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Pre-Paradise, Sorry Now," and Bertolt Brecht's "Jungle of Cities." He has also appeared in several independent films and creative projects. He is thrilled to be involved in the 77th Live production, and he would like to thank the production's producers, directors, and crew members for their hard work and dedication, and for making the experience enjoyable, memorable, and rewarding. The show has made him proud to live loud and to live Thai!
Vanda Kathathikarn, Host - Performances Vanda Katathikarn is excited to be a part of 77th Live, which has provided the opportunity for her to get in touch with her inner Thai. She was born in Los Angeles, California, but her first memories began in Bangkok, Thailand, where she and her family moved when she was just two years old. Thailand is the initial place that gave her a strong sense of culture, an appreciation for fantastic food, and an openness that comes from being surrounded by genuine smiles and open arms. She then moved back to LA six years later, and has called it home since. She has a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, and is currently working in advertising in Downtown LA, writing media plans for clients such as Toyota and Dolby. Her passion is food and traveling and would love to travel to all seven continents (four more to go!) sometime in the near future.
Jonathan Hastanan, Host - Local Thai Food Jonathan, or better known to close friends as Jojo, was born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles, California. His childhood was strongly influenced and surrounded by his Thai heritage, either attending summer school at Wat Thai Los Angeles or visiting family in Thailand. As a student athlete, Jonathan played Varsity Volleyball and graduated with high honors from St. Francis High School in La Canada. Shortly after, he attended UC Berkeley where he earned two degrees, in Business and Legal Studies, and rowed on Berkeley's Lightweight Crew team. After graduating college, he moved to San Francisco to continue his passion for Real Estate and Finance. And after seven years in the Bay Area, Jonathan has recently moved back down to Los Angeles and now works for a real estate private equity firm in Santa Monica.
Annie Mekdara, Host - 77th Addition Annie Mekdara was born in Vientiane, Laos but grew up in Los Angeles, California having the great opportunity to immerse herself into the many different cultures and life styles. She attended Los Angeles High School where she wrote for the school newspaper and started her first job as an assistant at the College Center. Being able to help students get into college whether academically or financially has been a major influence in deciding which major in college suited her best. Graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Liberal Studies emphasizing in Asian American Studies, Annie hopes to continue educating students, especially Asian minorities of the historical foundation Asian Americans have made in the United States. The 77th Live show has been a wonderful experience in helping to maintain the Thai culture that Annie is proud to host and is blessed to work with a such a talented crew. In her spare time, Annie enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, trying out new foods,traveling and playing with her English Bulldog Homer.
Pete Singhasri, Host - Did You Know Chicago-born Pete Singhasri was raised primarily in the Los Angeles area, but spent a year growing up in southside Seattle, WA and half a year in southern Oregon. He played varsity football, varsity basketball, bowling, baseball, and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during his spare time because of his passion for athletics and martial arts. He also learned to read, write, and speak Thai fluently at the Wat Thai of Los Angeles summer school. Pete attended Syracuse University, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and California State University of Northridge (CSUN) earning a bachelor's degree in Criminology/Sociology. He also has a master's degree in Information Technology Management, and holds 9 IT certifications. While he has a natural-born knack for computers and troubleshooting, his true passion is acting, singing, and comedy along with helping children throughout the world because they are our hope and future. He also has a major case of the travel bug. Having finally been given the opportunity to visit Thailand for the first time since he was 5 years old, in the spring of 2009, Pete took 3 months off as an IT Consultant to explore the southern islands, Bangkok, northern provinces, and even central Thailand. He was fortunate enough to experience "Songkran" (Thai New Year) and "Bun Bang Fai" (Rocket Festival in Petchabun) like a tourist, ironically. Visiting relatives and making new friends all over the homeland has broadened his horizons, and helped him embrace his identity as a Thai-American. Pete takes great pride and honor in being on the launching pad of an instrumental program, “77th Live,” alongside very talented individuals teaming up to embrace the Thai community and to show everyone that living Thai is much more than just being Thai. We hope you'll join us on our journey.
Bom Sritairatana, Host - Tongue Thai Bom Abstrak Sritrairatana was born in Thailand and raised in Diamond Bar, California. He graduated from Cal State University - Long Beach with a degree in Hospitality Management. NU-JAZZ is his soul. He's a morning waker, mid-day chiller, midnight sleeper. His motto is, "I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later."
Natha Surinsuk, Host - 77th Addition Natha was born and raised in a traditional Buddhist family in Thailand. She was immersed in eastern philosophy and eastern medicine from a very young age. Ever since she could remember, Natha has always known that she would be in a profession that helps people. Natha immigrated to the United States in 1988 and in 2002 received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the UCLA, thus completing her prerequisites for entering into a western medical school. However, she turned her passion back to eastern medicine and completed her Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2007. She then received additional training in China at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine before returning to the United States and passing the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam.

Minnie Lagrimas, Host

Minnie had plans to amass a warehouse full of art as an art thief but her plans changed when a renowned Hollywood casting director suggested that she try acting. After graduating from Penn State University with her B.A. in Film, she hopped on a plane to the 77th province armed with two suitcases and a month-long hotel reservation. Since then, she's made Southern California her home and has worked in theater, film and television. When Minnie's not busy hosting 77th Live, she can be found cheering for her beloved Nittany Lions football team, reading the William Shatner fansite, traveling to the East Coast or lawn bowling.

Don Thiel, Host

Paradorn "Don" Thiel was born in Thailand, and has called Southern California home since 1989. He has a degree in Theatre from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film, and Television. He has appeared in numerous stage productions, which include his fondest works in Jean Genet's "The Balcony," Rainer Werner Fassbinder's "Pre-Paradise, Sorry Now," and Bertolt Brecht's "Jungle of Cities." He has also appeared in several independent films and creative projects. He is thrilled to be involved in the 77th Live production, and he would like to thank the production's producers, directors, and crew members for their hard work and dedication, and for making the experience enjoyable, memorable, and rewarding. The show has made him proud to live loud and to live Thai!

Vanda Kathathikarn, Host - Performances

Vanda Katathikarn is excited to be a part of 77th Live, which has provided the opportunity for her to get in touch with her inner Thai. She was born in Los Angeles, California, but her first memories began in Bangkok, Thailand, where she and her family moved when she was just two years old. Thailand is the initial place that gave her a strong sense of culture, an appreciation for fantastic food, and an openness that comes from being surrounded by genuine smiles and open arms. She then moved back to LA six years later, and has called it home since. She has a BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley, and is currently working in advertising in Downtown LA, writing media plans for clients such as Toyota and Dolby. Her passion is food and traveling and would love to travel to all seven continents (four more to go!) sometime in the near future.

Jonathan Hastanan, Host - Local Thai Food

Jonathan, or better known to close friends as Jojo, was born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles, California. His childhood was strongly influenced and surrounded by his Thai heritage, either attending summer school at Wat Thai Los Angeles or visiting family in Thailand. As a student athlete, Jonathan played Varsity Volleyball and graduated with high honors from St. Francis High School in La Canada. Shortly after, he attended UC Berkeley where he earned two degrees, in Business and Legal Studies, and rowed on Berkeley's Lightweight Crew team. After graduating college, he moved to San Francisco to continue his passion for Real Estate and Finance. And after seven years in the Bay Area, Jonathan has recently moved back down to Los Angeles and now works for a real estate private equity firm in Santa Monica.

Annie Mekdara, Host - 77th Addition

Annie Mekdara was born in Vientiane, Laos but grew up in Los Angeles, California having the great opportunity to immerse herself into the many different cultures and life styles. She attended Los Angeles High School where she wrote for the school newspaper and started her first job as an assistant at the College Center. Being able to help students get into college whether academically or financially has been a major influence in deciding which major in college suited her best. Graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Liberal Studies emphasizing in Asian American Studies, Annie hopes to continue educating students, especially Asian minorities of the historical foundation Asian Americans have made in the United States. The 77th Live show has been a wonderful experience in helping to maintain the Thai culture that Annie is proud to host and is blessed to work with a such a talented crew. In her spare time, Annie enjoys hanging out with her friends and family, trying out new foods,traveling and playing with her English Bulldog Homer.

Pete Singhasri, Host - Did You Know

Chicago-born Pete Singhasri was raised primarily in the Los Angeles area, but spent a year growing up in southside Seattle, WA and half a year in southern Oregon. He played varsity football, varsity basketball, bowling, baseball, and earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during his spare time because of his passion for athletics and martial arts. He also learned to read, write, and speak Thai fluently at the Wat Thai of Los Angeles summer school. Pete attended Syracuse University, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and California State University of Northridge (CSUN) earning a bachelor's degree in Criminology/Sociology. He also has a master's degree in Information Technology Management, and holds 9 IT certifications. While he has a natural-born knack for computers and troubleshooting, his true passion is acting, singing, and comedy along with helping children throughout the world because they are our hope and future. He also has a major case of the travel bug. Having finally been given the opportunity to visit Thailand for the first time since he was 5 years old, in the spring of 2009, Pete took 3 months off as an IT Consultant to explore the southern islands, Bangkok, northern provinces, and even central Thailand. He was fortunate enough to experience "Songkran" (Thai New Year) and "Bun Bang Fai" (Rocket Festival in Petchabun) like a tourist, ironically. Visiting relatives and making new friends all over the homeland has broadened his horizons, and helped him embrace his identity as a Thai-American. Pete takes great pride and honor in being on the launching pad of an instrumental program, “77th Live,” alongside very talented individuals teaming up to embrace the Thai community and to show everyone that living Thai is much more than just being Thai. We hope you'll join us on our journey.

Bom Sritairatana, Host - Tongue Thai

Bom Abstrak Sritrairatana was born in Thailand and raised in Diamond Bar, California. He graduated from Cal State University - Long Beach with a degree in Hospitality Management. NU-JAZZ is his soul. He's a morning waker, mid-day chiller, midnight sleeper. His motto is, "I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later."

Natha Surinsuk, Host - 77th Addition

Natha was born and raised in a traditional Buddhist family in Thailand. She was immersed in eastern philosophy and eastern medicine from a very young age. Ever since she could remember, Natha has always known that she would be in a profession that helps people. Natha immigrated to the United States in 1988 and in 2002 received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the UCLA, thus completing her prerequisites for entering into a western medical school. However, she turned her passion back to eastern medicine and completed her Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in 2007. She then received additional training in China at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine before returning to the United States and passing the California Acupuncture Licensing Exam.