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Indigenous, First Nations, Native Theatre

In this section, content focuses on the work of Indigenous, First Nations, and Native theatremakers. Mary Kathryn Nagle’s series Native Voices is a great starting point, as are series specifically focusing on the performance practices of Kānaka Maoli, the Indigenous people of Hawai‘i, and on Alaska Native theatre.

The Latest

Elevating Indigenous Perspectives with Rhiana Yazzie
Podcast
Elevating Indigenous Perspectives with Rhiana Yazzie
by Yura Sapi, Rhiana Yazzie
18 April 2024
On Between Two Knees, or About Other Futures
Essay
On Between Two Knees, or About Other Futures
by Sebastián Eddowes-Vargas
17 April 2024
Theatre as Medicine with CJ Ochoco
Podcast
Theatre as Medicine with CJ Ochoco
by Yura Sapi, CJ Ochoco
11 April 2024
Eight actors in a space with hardwood floors dancing together.
Worldmaking 101: Imagination and Reparation at Double Edge Theatre and Ohketeau Cultural Center
Essay

Worldmaking 101: Imagination and Reparation at Double Edge Theatre and Ohketeau Cultural Center

14 November 2022

Writer and educator Jonathan P. Eburne details how he first came to know of Double Edge Theatre and the Ohketeau Cultural Center and discusses their unique approach to worldmaking, land sharing, and theatremaking.

event poster for  The Living Presence of Our History, Part VII.
The Living Presence of Our History, Part VII
Video

The Living Presence of Our History, Part VII

A Panel Focusing on Native Playwrights

Sunday 13 November 2022
Massachusetts, US

Ohketeau Cultural Center and Double Edge Theatre presented the conversation The Living Presence of Our History, Part VII livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 13 November 2022 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

photograph of posaka dancers performing on stage.
Livestreaming a Performance: Posaka
Video

Livestreaming a Performance: Posaka

Kinding Sindaw Celebrates Our 30th Anniversary !

Saturday 22 October 2022
New York City

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club presents Posaka with Kinding Sindaw livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 22 October 2022 at 1 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 3 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 4 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

A woman in a traditional garb stands outside facing an audience.
“The Ills We Do, Their Ills Instruct Us So”: Indigenous Futurism at the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival
Essay

“The Ills We Do, Their Ills Instruct Us So”: Indigenous Futurism at the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival

25 July 2022

Robert Hubbard discusses the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival production of Othello, which Tara Moses adapted and directed through an Indigenous Futurist lens. The resulting production employed its Shakespearean source text to model solidarity between Tribal Sovereignty and Black Liberation movements.

event poster for the gathering 2022.
The Gathering from the CrossCurrents Festival
Video

The Gathering from the CrossCurrents Festival

Productions, Readings, Discussions, and Workshops Focusing on Climate Change, Immigration, and Indigeneity

Wednesday 4 May to Saturday 7 May 2022
United States

The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. presented The Gathering, livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv from Wednesday 4 May to Saturday 7 May 2022.

A shirtless man holds up a book.
Learning from Sources: Performance and Climate Crisis in Four Brazilian Works
Essay

Learning from Sources: Performance and Climate Crisis in Four Brazilian Works

20 April 2022

In Martin Domecq’s contribution to the Climate Emergency series, he puts four Brazillian performance art pieces in conversation to draw upon the poetic, political, and civic lessons they offer. These performances—which range from installations to solo and group performances—model possible paradigms that work against ecological crisis.

event poster for talleres for dreaming episode 4.
Every Step is a Prayer
Video

Every Step is a Prayer

An Interview with Sharon Day and Chas Jewett facilitated by Priscilla Solis Ybarra

Tuesday 29 March 2022
United States

Cara Mía Theatre’s Mellon Playwright in Residence Virginia Grise presented Talleres for Dreaming: Episode 4 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 29 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

a collage of photos relating to indigenous cultures and colonization in america.
The Living Presence of our History: Part VI
Video

The Living Presence of our History: Part VI

A Conversation on Continued Oppression and Erasure Through Public Plaques, Memorials, and Statuary

Sunday 27 March 2022
United States

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and Double Edge Theatre co-presented The Living Presence of Our History: Part VI on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 27 March 2022 at 10 a.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 12 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 1 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

event poster for talleres for dreaming episode 3.
Artists are the Vanguard of Revolution
Video

Artists are the Vanguard of Revolution

An Artist Talk by Kristiana Rae Colón

Tuesday 22 March 2022
United States

Cara Mía Theatre’s Mellon Playwright in Residence Virginia Grise presented Talleres for Dreaming: Episode 3 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 22 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

event poster for The Long Match livestream.
The Long Match
Video

The Long Match

A Two-Day HowlRound Conversation Exploring the Intersection of Art, Culture, and Commoning (and Beyond)

Thursday 17 March and Friday 18 March 2022
Ashfield, Massachusetts, USA - and online.

Double Edge Theatre and HowlRound presented two conversations exploring the intersection of art, culture, and commoning livestreaming on the commons-based peer produce HowlRound TV network Thursday 17 March and Friday 18 March 2022.

event poster for talleres for dreaming episode 2.
An invitation to dance, cuz we free
Video

An invitation to dance, cuz we free

An Artist Talk by Marguerite Angelica Monique

Tuesday 15 March 2022
United States

Cara Mía Theatre’s Mellon Playwright in Residence Virginia Grise presented Talleres for Dreaming: Episode 2 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 15 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

event poster for talleres for dreaming episode 1.
Theatrical Jazz as the Practice of Liberation
Video

Theatrical Jazz as the Practice of Liberation

An Artist Talk by Omi Osun Joni L. Jones

Tuesday 8 March 2022
United States

Cara Mía Theatre’s Mellon Playwright in Residence Virginia Grise presents Talleres for Dreaming: Episode 1 livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 4 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 7 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Coffeehouse Chronicles #161 with Spiderwoman Theater
Video

Coffeehouse Chronicles #161 with Spiderwoman Theater

Part artist-portrait, part history lesson, and part community forum, Coffeehouse Chronicles take an intimate look at the development of downtown theatre in New York City

Saturday 19 February 2022
New York City

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club presents Coffeehouse Chronicles #161 with Spiderwoman Theater livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv livestreaming on Saturday 19 February 2022 at 12 p.m. PST (San Francisco, UTC -8) / 2 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6) / 3 p.m. EST (New York, UTC -5).

Event poster for the National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation.
National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation (NIDEC)
Video

National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation (NIDEC)

A virtual weekend of conversations and workshops

Friday 3 December to Sunday 5 December 2021
Minneapolis, Minnesota

The National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation (NIDEC) invited you to join us for our annual virtual convening. This program is produced by Art2Action and Pangea World Theater. Based on the in-person institute in Minneapolis, we are offering virtual masterclasses, panels and plenary sessions in 2021 to a wider audience during the pandemic. Livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network Friday 3 December to Sunday 5 December 2021.

event poster for freedom talk at artistic freedom initiative.
Freedom Talk @ Artistic Freedom Initiative
Video

Freedom Talk @ Artistic Freedom Initiative

Focusing on Indigenous People's Artistic Rights from a Legal Perspective

Tuesday 23 November 2021
United States

Safe Havens Freedom Talks presented a conversation focusing on Indigenous people's artistic rights from a legal perspective livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network on Tuesday 23 November 2021.

event poster for shift freedom talk.
Conversation: Freedom Talk at House of Memory
Video

Conversation: Freedom Talk at House of Memory

A conversation on the importance of oral storytelling in indigenous societies

Friday 29 October 2021
India

Safe Havens Freedom Talks presented a conversation in collaboration with Gothenburg Book Fair livestreaming on the global, commons-based, peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Friday 29 October 2021.

A person wearing blue and red holding out a stick.
The Refusal to be Disappeared: Lukas Avendaño’s Xibalbay
Essay

The Refusal to be Disappeared: Lukas Avendaño’s Xibalbay

28 October 2021

María Regina Firmino-Castillo discusses the inspiration behind and implications of Lukas Avendaño’s Xibalbay, a multidisciplinary performance project that relates enduring stories of the Mayan underworld to contemporary forced disappearances of people in Mexico.

event poster for the prelude festival 2021.
Prelude 2021: Start Making Sense!
Video

Prelude 2021: Start Making Sense!

An array of short performances, readings, and screenings, plus conversations with artists across the United States

Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October
United States

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at the Graduate Center, CUNY presented its 2021 PRELUDE festival, "Prelude 2021: Start Making Sense!," livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network from Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2021.

Theatre Coalition Building panel poster.
Power in Theatre Coalition Building
Video

Power in Theatre Coalition Building

Featuring Real Alanis, Lyndsay Burch, CJ Ochoco, Leo Grierson, and Jaz Hall. Moderated by Whitney Reed

Wednesday 20 October 2021
United States

Power in Theatre Coalition Building focuses on the strength of theatres, art organizations, individuals and artists alike sharing resources, responsibility, goals, decisions, and leadership to work toward a common goal. In this discussion we listen from partners of In the Margin on strategies of coalition building moving forward in American Theatre. Livestreaming Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 3 p.m. HST (Honolulu, UTC -10) / 5 p.m. AKDT (Juneau, UTC -8) / 6 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7) / 7 p.m. MDT (Albuquerque, UTC -6) / 8 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 9 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Indigenous Peoples' Day Panel: Native Women Leading
Video

Indigenous Peoples' Day Panel: Native Women Leading

Featuring Lofanitani Aisea, Jeanette Harrison, Murielle Borst-Tarrant, Moderated by Amber Ball (Dakubetede, Shasta, Modoc, Klamath)

Monday 11 October 2021
Turtle Island (North America)

In this conversation we discuss artistic leadership, practices, and methodology from an Indigenous perspective. It is our goal to highlight and amplify the work these three Native women continue to contribute to the arts world. Livestreaming on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network on Monday 11 October 2021 at 12 p.m. HST (Honolulu, UTC -10) / 2 p.m. AKDT (Juneau, UTC -8) / 3 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles, UTC -7) / 4 p.m. MDT (Albuquerque, UTC -6) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

portraits of women in black and white with red handprints over their mouths.
The Living Presence of Our History: Part V
Video

The Living Presence of Our History: Part V

A Conversation with Indigenous Artists Making Art for Social Change

Sunday 19 September 2021
United States

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and Double Edge Theatre co-presented The Living Presence of Our History: Part V on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 19 September 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

event poster for deaf woke with sarah young bear brown.
Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown
Video

Livestreaming a Conversation: #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown

#DeafWoke is a Virtual Consciousness-Raising, Engaging Online Talk Show, Led by Black and Native American Deaf host Mr. Antoine Hunter PurpleFireCrow.

Thursday 16 September 2021
United States

Antoine Hunter presents #DeafWoke with Sarah Young Bear-Brown/tti-ka-mi-ge-a livestreaming on the commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv Thursday 16 September 2021 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

artists sitting on a wooden stage in front of microphones.
The Living Presence of Our History: Part IV
Video

The Living Presence of Our History: Part IV

A Conversation with Indigenous Leaders Regarding Indigenous Peoples Day

Sunday 1 August 2021
United States

The Ohketeau Cultural Center and Double Edge Theatre co-presented The Living Presence of Our History: Part IV on the global, commons-based, peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 1 August 2021 at 10 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC -7) / 12 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 1 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4).

Figure with bulbs of fire
Five Protocols of Theatrical Indigeneity
Essay

Five Protocols of Theatrical Indigeneity

An Audio Essay and Sound-Ceremony for Reciprocal Action

2 July 2021

Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen shares how new story bundles can “disrupt the noise of colonialism” through what she calls protocols of theatrical Indigeneity.

Illustration by Silent Fox, inspired by the essay.
Post-Apocalyptic Theatre on Native Land
Essay

Post-Apocalyptic Theatre on Native Land

28 May 2021

Vera Starbard wonders if the time of the American theatre has come to an end and imagines the future of the performing arts looking a lot like it did in the past, pre-colonization.