Synopsis
Critical Companion to Native American and First Nations Theatre and Performance
Jaye T Darby & Courtney Elkin Mohler & Christy Stanlake
Published by Methuen
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This foundational study offers an accessible introduction to Native American and First Nations theatre
It is the first major survey book to introduce Native artists, plays, and theatres within their cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, and socio-political contexts
Native American and First Nations theatre weaves the spiritual and aesthetic traditions of Native cultures into diverse, dynamic, contemporary plays that enact Indigenous human rights through the plays' visionary styles of dramaturgy and performance
The book begins by introducing readers to historical and cultural contexts helpful for reading Native American and First Nations drama, followed by an overview of Indigenous plays and theatre artists from across the century
Finally, it points forward to the ways in which Native American and First Nations theatre artists are continuing to create works that advocate for human rights through transformative Native performance practices
Addressing the complexities of this dynamic field, this volume offers critical grounding in the historical development of Indigenous theatre in North America, while analysing key Native plays and performance traditions from the mainland United States and Canada
In surveying Native theatre from the late 19th century until today, the authors explore the cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual concerns, as well as the political and revitalization efforts of Indigenous peoples
This book frames the major themes of the genre and identifies how such themes are present in the dramaturgy, rehearsal practices, and performance histories of key Native scripts
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Part One: Setting the Stage
1. The Circle of Indigenous Spaces
2. Incursions into Performance Cultures
Part Two: Reclaiming the Stage
3. Culture Bearers: The Grandmothers of Native Theatre and Performance
4. Homeland Yearnings Across Settings
Part Three: Revolutionizing the Stage
5. Activating the Stage
6. Advancing the Stage
7. The Heart of the Matter: Indigenous Performance and Community
Part Four: Transforming the Stage
8. Transforming Production Process
9. Being and Becoming
10. Expanding the Circle with Future Generations
Bibliography
Notes
Index