Actor Warren Bowles, who suffered cardiac arrest on the stage of Mixed Blood Theatre Friday night, was reported to be "conscious and conversant" Monday morning. Mixed Blood Artistic Director Jack Reuler said he talked with Bowles, who remains in intensive care at Hennepin County Medical Center. Reuler said doctors have upgraded Bowles's condition to serious, from critical.

According to Bowles' CaringBridge site, the veteran actor was awake and physically responsive Sunday evening.

Bowles was delivering a monologue Friday during the opening night performance of "Neighbors" at Mixed Blood when he collapsed. He was taken to HCMC and kept in a coma Saturday.

Bowles' Twin Cities theater career stretches back to the mid 1970s. He is known to thousands of students for his portrayals of historic African-American heroes in Mixed Blood educational shows. Also a writer and director, Bowles has worked at many Twin Cities theaters.

Reuler said "Neighbors" will continue performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Actor Shawn Hamilton will replace Bowles.