Indigenous Summer Play Readings 2021
June 2021
Celebrating Indigenous playwrights and Yukon performers by gathering audiences in a DIGITAL space.
Our popular annual Indigenous Summer Play Reading Series celebrates Indigenous playwrights and Yukon performers by gathering audiences in a communal space, live or digital. This year, we showcased two compelling plays never heard before in Yukon and written by Indigenous playwrights.
Gwaandak Theatre continued the exploration of creating live art to connect isolated people, increasing our ability to remain nimble in fast changing situations, such as the COVID-19 outbreak. We used the Indigenous Summer Play Readings to experiment with the use of live streams, podcasting, and other media tools to make the readings accessible to anyone unable to physically be present. Making digital access to readings and performances accessible at all times helps make Gwaandak Theatre more capable to respond in times of crisis without drastic changes to programming plans.
By Keith Barker
This Is How We Got Here
Online - June 18th (In-Person at Old Fire Hall Cancelled)
It’s been a year since Paul and Lucille’s son Craig committed suicide, and their once-solid family bonds are starting to break down. While the now-separated couple tries to honour their son, Lucille’s sister Liset and her husband Jim refuse to discuss their nephew. The ties that keep the four together as sisters, best friends, and spouses are strained by grief and guilt… until a visit from a fox changes everything.
Directed by Jeszika Mae
Honour Beat
By Tara Beagan
Cancelled - June 17th (In-Person at Old Fire Hall Cancelled)
Two grown sisters face off over their mother’s death-bed. Together they confront one another, their own identities, and what will remain when their mom leaves this world. A contemporary look at the significance of faith and family, Honour Beat explores the stories this Indigenous family has told itself through the years, as their mother’s youthful spirit leads them toward forgiveness.
Directed by Jordan Kaltenbruner
Due to COVID-19, the reading of Honour Beat by Tara Beagan as well as the June 29th encore reading at the Adäka Cultural Festival were both cancelled.
CREDITS
Featuring Rae Mombourquette, Stormy Bradley, Bradley Balmforth and Friends
Playwright | Keith Barker
Playwright | Tara Beagan
Directors | Jeszika Mae & Jordan Kaltenbruner
