🪶Native American Literature Unit 10 – Native American Drama

Historical Context

• Native American drama emerged as a distinct genre in the late 20th century, building upon a rich tradition of storytelling and performance in Indigenous cultures
• Early Native American theater often addressed issues of cultural identity, colonialism, and the struggle for self-determination in the face of ongoing oppression and marginalization
• The Native American Renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s, a period of increased activism and cultural revitalization, provided a foundation for the growth of Native American theater
  • This period saw the establishment of influential theater companies such as the Native American Theater Ensemble (NATE) and the American Indian Theater Company (AITCO)
• The passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 1990 and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA) in 1990 helped to protect and promote Native American cultural heritage, including dramatic traditions
• The founding of the Native American Theatre Ensemble (NATE) in 1972 and the Native Voices at the Autry in 1994 provided important platforms for Native American playwrights and actors to showcase their work
• Native American drama has often been used as a tool for education, cultural preservation, and social activism, addressing issues such as land rights, environmental justice, and the impact of historical trauma

Key Playwrights and Works

• Hanay Geiogamah (Kiowa/Delaware) is considered one of the pioneers of contemporary Native American theater
  • His plays, such as "Body Indian" (1972) and "49" (1975), explore themes of cultural identity, historical trauma, and the challenges faced by Native Americans in modern society
• Spiderwoman Theater, founded in 1976 by Muriel Miguel (Kuna/Rappahannock), Lisa Mayo (Kuna/Rappahannock), and Gloria Miguel (Kuna/Rappahannock), is known for its innovative, feminist, and politically engaged works
  • Their plays often incorporate humor, satire, and traditional storytelling techniques to address issues of gender, sexuality, and social justice
• Diane Glancy (Cherokee) is a prolific playwright whose works often explore the intersection of Native American and Christian spirituality, as well as themes of language, identity, and cultural survival
  • Her plays include "The Woman Who Was a Red Deer Dressed for the Deer Dance" (1995) and "The Collector of a Three-Cornered Stamp" (2002)
• William S. Yellow Robe Jr. (Assiniboine) is known for his plays that address contemporary Native American experiences and the impact of historical trauma
  • His works, such as "The Star Quilter" (1992) and "Grandchildren of the Buffalo Soldiers" (2003), often incorporate elements of magical realism and non-linear storytelling
• Tomson Highway (Cree) is a Canadian playwright whose works often explore themes of cultural identity, sexuality, and the impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities
  • His plays, such as "The Rez Sisters" (1986) and "Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing" (1989), are known for their humor, poignancy, and vivid characterizations
• Marie Clements (Métis) is a Canadian playwright whose works often address issues of cultural identity, historical trauma, and the ongoing impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities
  • Her plays, such as "The Unnatural and Accidental Women" (2000) and "Burning Vision" (2002), are known for their poetic language, non-linear storytelling, and powerful imagery

Themes and Motifs

• Cultural identity is a central theme in Native American drama, with many plays exploring the challenges of maintaining and celebrating Indigenous heritage in the face of assimilation and cultural erasure
• Historical trauma, including the impact of colonialism, forced relocation, and the boarding school system, is often addressed in Native American plays, highlighting the ongoing effects of these experiences on individuals and communities
• The relationship between tradition and modernity is frequently explored, with characters navigating the tensions between preserving cultural practices and adapting to contemporary realities
• Environmental justice and the connection between Indigenous peoples and the land is a recurring theme, with plays often addressing issues of resource exploitation, land rights, and the impact of environmental degradation on Native communities
• Gender roles and the experiences of Native American women are often central to the narratives of Native American plays, with works exploring issues of sexism, violence, and the empowerment of Indigenous women
• The importance of language and oral tradition in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge is a common motif, with many plays incorporating elements of storytelling, song, and ritual
• The intersection of Native American and Western spirituality is often explored, with plays addressing the complex relationships between Indigenous belief systems and Christianity

Storytelling Techniques

• Non-linear narratives are frequently employed in Native American drama, reflecting the cyclical and interconnected nature of Indigenous storytelling traditions
  • Plays often move back and forth through time, weaving together past and present, myth and reality
• Symbolism and metaphor are used extensively, with objects, animals, and natural phenomena often serving as powerful symbols of cultural identity, spiritual beliefs, and historical experiences
• Ritual and ceremony are often incorporated into the structure and performance of Native American plays, with elements such as dance, music, and the use of sacred objects serving to create a sense of spiritual and cultural authenticity
• Humor and satire are frequently employed as a means of critiquing and subverting dominant cultural narratives, as well as addressing serious issues in a more accessible and engaging manner
• Plays often feature a chorus or narrator figure, drawing upon the tradition of oral storytelling and providing context, commentary, and a sense of community perspective
• The use of multiple languages, including Indigenous languages and dialects, is common in Native American drama, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Native communities and the importance of language in cultural identity and expression
• Dream sequences, visions, and other forms of non-realistic storytelling are often used to explore the inner lives of characters, as well as to connect the physical and spiritual worlds

Cultural Significance

• Native American drama serves as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, providing a means of transmitting stories, histories, and cultural knowledge to younger generations
• Plays often challenge dominant narratives about Native American history and identity, offering alternative perspectives and critiquing the ongoing impact of colonialism and racism
• Native American theater provides a platform for Indigenous voices and experiences, allowing Native artists to take control of their own representation and to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions
• Plays often serve as a form of social and political activism, addressing issues such as land rights, environmental justice, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination and sovereignty
• Native American drama contributes to the revitalization and celebration of Indigenous languages, with many plays incorporating Native languages and highlighting their importance in cultural identity and expression
• Plays often explore the complexities and diversity of Native American identities, challenging monolithic representations and highlighting the varied experiences of Indigenous peoples across different regions, nations, and communities
• Native American theater fosters a sense of pride and empowerment within Indigenous communities, providing a space for healing, cultural affirmation, and the celebration of resilience and survival

Performance Traditions

• Native American drama often incorporates elements of traditional performance, such as storytelling, dance, music, and the use of masks and costumes
  • These elements serve to create a sense of cultural authenticity and to connect contemporary works with ancestral traditions
• Plays are often performed in non-traditional spaces, such as community centers, schools, and outdoor settings, reflecting the importance of accessibility and community engagement in Native American theater
• Audience participation and interaction are common features of Native American drama, with performers often breaking the fourth wall and inviting the audience to engage with the story and its themes
• The use of live music, including traditional instruments and songs, is a frequent element of Native American theater, serving to enhance the emotional and cultural resonance of the performance
• Plays often incorporate elements of ritual and ceremony, such as the burning of sage or the use of sacred objects, creating a sense of spiritual and cultural significance
• The casting of Native American actors is a priority in many productions, reflecting the importance of authentic representation and the empowerment of Indigenous performers
• Collaborative and ensemble-based approaches to performance are common, with actors often playing multiple roles and contributing to the creation and development of the work

Contemporary Native American Theater

• Native American theater continues to thrive and evolve, with new generations of playwrights, directors, and actors pushing the boundaries of the form and exploring new themes and styles
• The increasing visibility and success of Native American playwrights, such as Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota) and Mary Kathryn Nagle (Cherokee), is helping to bring greater attention to Native American theater and to challenge mainstream perceptions of Indigenous art and culture
• The use of digital media and technology is becoming more common in Native American theater, with artists using video projection, social media, and other tools to enhance the storytelling and engage with audiences in new ways
• Plays are increasingly addressing contemporary issues facing Native communities, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the fight against pipelines and other forms of environmental degradation
• Collaborations between Native and non-Native artists are becoming more frequent, reflecting a growing interest in cross-cultural dialogue and the sharing of stories and perspectives
• Native American theater is gaining greater recognition and support from mainstream institutions, with major theaters and festivals increasingly showcasing the work of Indigenous playwrights and performers
• The growth of Native American theater companies and training programs, such as Native Voices at the Autry and the Institute of American Indian Arts, is helping to foster a new generation of Indigenous theater artists and to ensure the ongoing vitality and relevance of the form

Impact and Legacy

• Native American drama has played a crucial role in challenging and transforming mainstream perceptions of Indigenous peoples and cultures, offering a more nuanced and authentic representation of Native experiences and identities
• Plays have served as a powerful tool for social and political activism, raising awareness about issues facing Native communities and advocating for change and justice
• Native American theater has contributed to the revitalization and preservation of Indigenous languages, stories, and cultural practices, ensuring their transmission to future generations
• The success and visibility of Native American playwrights and performers has helped to inspire and empower younger generations of Indigenous artists, fostering a sense of pride and possibility in the face of ongoing challenges and obstacles
• Native American drama has enriched the broader landscape of American theater, introducing new voices, perspectives, and storytelling traditions and challenging dominant narratives and assumptions
• The legacy of pioneering Native American theater artists, such as Hanay Geiogamah and Spiderwoman Theater, continues to inspire and influence new generations of playwrights and performers, both within and beyond Indigenous communities
• Native American theater has helped to build bridges of understanding and solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, fostering a greater sense of shared humanity and the importance of cultural diversity and inclusion