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All the world’s a stage—and some stages are used to showcase Native American stories and talent. Whether it’s drama or comedy, classic or avant garde, Native-centered theater is reaching more and more audiences. What makes theater “Native”? What kinds of plays are being written by Native playwrights? What are the audiences saying? Is it difficult to find Native actors?
Guests:
Muriel Miguel (Kuna and Rappahannock) – director of Spiderwoman Theater
Kim Delfina Gleason (Diné) – executive director of Two Worlds
Rhiana Yazzie (Navajo) – playwright and founder and artistic director of New Native Theater
Break Music: Sunrise (song) James Bilagody & The Cremains (artist) Sacred Stage (album)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23, 2016
Contact: Rachel Irick, Artistic Director (405) 593-6600
rachel@okctc.org
High resolution publicity photos available upon request
‘The Day We Were Born’ opens with all-Native American cast
OKLAHOMA CITY—The Alaskan landscape, War In Iraq, post-traumatic stress disorder and Inupiaq culture all converge on stage with the Oklahoma City Theater Company’s production of “The Day We Were Born,” opening March 31-April 2 and resuming April 7-9 at the Oklahoma Children’s Theater, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
The play is the centerpiece of this year’s OKCTC New Native American Play Festival. Written by playwright Jaisey Bates, “The Day We Were Born” won last year’s staged reading competition.
“The Day We Were Born” focuses on two young Inupiaq men, Qi and Benny, who are at odds with each other’s beliefs in traditional Native American culture. Throughout the play, the spirits of their ancestors also tell their stories, while the narrator, Raven, fills in the details to the audience. The structure of the play is poetic and reflects a circular, non-linear method of Native storytelling.
Ronald Deron Twohatchet serves as director of “The Day We Were Born.” The cast includes Jana Butler-Rhoads as Raven; Tiffany Tuggle Rogers as Caribou Belly Woman; Russ Tallchief as Soldier; Dillon Griffits as Qi; Mosiah Salazar Bluecloud as Benny; Matt C. Cross playing both Emil and Benny’s Uncle; and Maya Torralba as Qi’s Mother.
Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. The performance is recommended for adults and children 14 and older due to mature language. General admission is $20 with discounts for seniors and current students. The tickets for the March 31 opening are $10. For more information, call the Civic Center Box Office at (405) 297-2264.
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