Aboriginal Summer Play Readings 2015
June & July 2015
Aboriginal, adventurous and abroad, from California to the Caribbean!
The 2015 edition of Aboriginal Summer Play Readings was presented by Gwaandak Theatre and was part of Northwestel's Behind The Curtain Series.
Old Fire Hall - June 23rd
Evie and Cecil are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. As a gift, their grown children decide to send them to a fabulous resort in Mexico as a second honeymoon. The only problem is, neither have ever been out of their Cree community – let alone the country. Then there’s Cecil’s suspicion that there might be more behind this trip than he has been told. The past, present, and future all pay the couple a visit as they deal with sun, sand, and spicy food.
Directed by Geneviève Doyon
By Drew Hayden Taylor
Crees in the Caribbean
The Ministry of Grace
Directed by Patti Flather
By Tara Beagan
Whitehorse Library - June 30th
A First Nations healer is recruited into an evangelical road show while her children are at residential school. A play about strength and love, about doing what’s right. The Ministry of Grace is a two-act drama inspired by Beagan's grandmother’s experience working as a performer on an evangelical tent revival circuit.
The June 30th encore reading was part of the Adäka Cultural Festival and was presented by the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.
Old Fire Hall - June 25th
CREDITS
Featuring Leonard Linklater, Hazel Venzon, Sarah Maningas, Claire Anderson, Carrie Boles, Andrameda Lutchman, RP Singh
Playwright | Drew Hayden Taylor
Playwright | Tara Beagan
Directors | Geneviève Doyon & Patti Flather
Stage Manager | Aimée Dawn Robinson
Mayo Play Readings - Part of Northwestel's Behind The Curtain Series
This Aboriginal Summer Play Readings ON TOUR event took place during the festivities of National Aboriginal Day in Mayo and was presented by the Yukon Arts Centre and hosted by the First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun.
The Ministry of Grace
By Tara Beagan
Na-cho Nyäk Dun Government House - June 21st
A First Nations healer is recruited into an evangelical road show while her children are at residential school. A play about strength and love, about doing what’s right. The Ministry of Grace is a two-act drama inspired by Beagan's grandmother’s experience working as a performer on an evangelical tent revival circuit.
Directed by Patti Flather
CREDITS
Featuring Millie Olsen, Joella Hogan, Matt McHugh and Leonard Linklater
Playwright | Tara Beagan
Director | Patti Flather
Teslin Play Readings - Part of Northwestel's Behind The Curtain Series
This Indigenous Summer Play Readings ON TOUR event took place during the festivities of the Hà Kus Teyea (Haa Ḵusteeyí) Celebration in Teslin and was presented by the Yukon Arts Centre and hosted by the Teslin Tlingit Council.
By Sharon Shorty
Trickster Visits the Old Folks Home
Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre - July 26th
Tlingit Elder Anna transitions from her lifelong Teslin home to a sterile old folks home in the city. A First Nations nurse welcomes her to her new ‘home’. Gramma Anna asserts, “This is not my home! It’s just a place I gotta stay!” Inspired by the playwright’s real life experience of her late Grandma Carrie moving to Whitehorse in the 1980’s.
Directed by Patti Flather
Sixty Below
Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre - July 26th
This play is a modern-day Gwich’in tale which also features traditional stories. It’s nearly winter solstice when Henry gets out of jail, ready to straighten out his life. Of course it’s not that easy: his old buddies just want to party, his girlfriend Rosie’s moving ahead of him, and then there’s the ghost of Johnnie, everyone’s hero, who just won’t leave the northern lights. Sixty Below was nominated for numerous Dora Awards for its 1997 Toronto productionwith Native Earth Peforming Arts. It toured the Yukon, including to Old Crow, in 2000, with Gwaandak Theatre, Nakai Theatre and SYANA.
By Leonard Linklater and Patti Flather
Crees in the Caribbean
Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre - July 26th
Evie and Cecil are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. As a gift, their grown children decide to send them to a fabulous resort in Mexico as a second honeymoon. The only problem is, neither have ever been out of their Cree community – let alone the country. Then there’s Cecil’s suspicion that there might be more behind this trip than he has been told. The past, present, and future all pay the couple a visit as they deal with sun, sand, and spicy food.
By Drew Hayden Taylor
CREDITS
Featuring Duane Gastant’ Aucoin, Andrameda Lutchman, Isaiah Gilson, Gary Sidney Johnson, Leonard Linklater, Sally Lutchman
Playwright | Sharon Shorty
Playwright | Leonard Linklater & Patti Flather
Playwright | Drew Hayden Taylor
Director | Patti Flather