CEDARS
Check out our promotional video for CEDARS featuring clips of the Seattle production,
our Associate Producer, Diane Fraher (Osage/Cherokee),
one of our contributing poets, Molly McGlennen (Anishinaabe),
and one of our talented actors, Wolfen de Kastro (Aztec/Huastec/Maya).
You can also check out archival footage of the Seattle premiere of CEDARS.
our Associate Producer, Diane Fraher (Osage/Cherokee),
one of our contributing poets, Molly McGlennen (Anishinaabe),
and one of our talented actors, Wolfen de Kastro (Aztec/Huastec/Maya).
You can also check out archival footage of the Seattle premiere of CEDARS.
Left to Right: Joan Henry, John Scott Richardson, Wolfen de Kastro. Photo by Tatiana Ronderos.
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Left to Right: Matt Langer, Wolfen de Kastro. Photo by Jonathan Slaff
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Mirage Theatre Company made its La MaMa debut January 22 to February 1, 2015 with CEDARS, featuring Wolfen de Kastro (Aztec/Huastec/Maya),
Joan A. Henry (Cherokee), Alana LaMalice (Dene-Cree), John Scott-Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi/Tuscarora), and Matt Langer (Dakota).
Joan A. Henry (Cherokee), Alana LaMalice (Dene-Cree), John Scott-Richardson (Haliwa-Saponi/Tuscarora), and Matt Langer (Dakota).
CEDARS is a play- based on contemporary Native American poetry- offering insight into the lives of diverse Native American writers and their everyday struggles, touching on subjects of identity, poverty, discrimination and reservation life; and also offering glimpses of hope, celebration, resistance and the beauty of preserving indigenous cultures, teachings and traditions.
Conceived and adapted for the stage by June Prager, the play is a multi-disciplinary collage of poetry/prose text, masks, drumming, and music, performed by five Native American actors. Originally premiering in Seattle in 2002, the play has since been
re-imagined with new text, movement and stage-design for its NYC debut.
Following a residency at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, Staged Readings were presented in NYC at the Living Theatre (before its closing) and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. CEDARS was then produced at La MaMa in 2015. CEDARS is available for touring colleges and other venues, including community centers, throughout the U.S.
Participating writers include: Arthur Tulee (Yakama), Tiffany Midge (Hunkpapa Sioux), Gail Tremblay (Onondaga/MicMac), Deborah A. Miranda (Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen), Alex Jacobs (Akwesasne Mohawk), William Michael Paul (Hunkpapa Sioux), Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki), Martha Brice (Tlingit), Evan Pritchard (MicMac) and Molly McGlennen (Anishinaabe). The director, June Prager, collaborated with composer Charles Upham (Blackfeet) and mask designer Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha s’Klallam).
Conceived and adapted for the stage by June Prager, the play is a multi-disciplinary collage of poetry/prose text, masks, drumming, and music, performed by five Native American actors. Originally premiering in Seattle in 2002, the play has since been
re-imagined with new text, movement and stage-design for its NYC debut.
Following a residency at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, Staged Readings were presented in NYC at the Living Theatre (before its closing) and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. CEDARS was then produced at La MaMa in 2015. CEDARS is available for touring colleges and other venues, including community centers, throughout the U.S.
Participating writers include: Arthur Tulee (Yakama), Tiffany Midge (Hunkpapa Sioux), Gail Tremblay (Onondaga/MicMac), Deborah A. Miranda (Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen), Alex Jacobs (Akwesasne Mohawk), William Michael Paul (Hunkpapa Sioux), Joseph Bruchac (Abenaki), Martha Brice (Tlingit), Evan Pritchard (MicMac) and Molly McGlennen (Anishinaabe). The director, June Prager, collaborated with composer Charles Upham (Blackfeet) and mask designer Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha s’Klallam).
“Let’s face it. Most people aren’t all that familiar with Native American culture. Yes, as kids, we learned about the massive trials and tribulations this group has suffered throughout history, but many of us have yet to understand how Native Americans cope with modern-day society. Cedars, a theatrical adaptation of Native American poetry and prose performed by Native American actors and directed by June Prager, couldn’t have come at a better time. Showcasing the talents of native writers, Cedars represents the difficulties involved in trying to maintain Native American heritage in both urban and reservations communities.”
Gillian Speiser, Voice Choices, Village Voice
“The poets and our Native audience members were enthusiastic about the production, and mainstream theatre audiences expressed their appreciation for the insight they gained into contemporary Native thought and feeling. We felt that we had both empowered the Native community and fostered understanding with the outside community.”
Martha Brice, Board of Directors, Red Eagle Soaring Native American Theatre
“Given the multiple authors included, Cedars is a unique snapshot of how Native Americans view themselves. The personal heritage of the cast members is brought into the space with unique choreography and songs in this New York production, born from creative contributions from the actors… Jon Delson, audience member, said that the whole play was very emotional. It connects people to the heart space, which is where we are all connected to each other. That is the ultimate state of humanity, is to feel it through your heart and to make you wake up and realize, ‘Yeah, I'm present right now.’ It's not about the consumption or accumulation of wealth. It's about how much you give away and share. The story should be brought other places too.”
Madison Ford, Spectator Senior Staff Writer, Columbia University Spectator
