Native Voices at the Autry, the country’s only Equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to presenting and developing the work of Native American playwrights, presents two riveting full-length, one-man plays, WALKING ON TURTLE ISLAND and GHOSTLANDS OF AN URBAN NDN, written by and starring acclaimed actor and storyteller ROBERT OWENS-GREYGRASS (Lakota*) in repertory from March 3 to 18, 2012 (previews begin March 1), at the Autry National Center’s Wells Fargo Theater in Los Angeles.
In the two vastly different works, which showcase his wit and humor, Greygrass portrays an astonishing 38 characters. Kevin Sifuentes (Hopi*) directs both productions. Randy Reinholz (Choctaw*) is Native Voices’ Producing Artistic Director, and Jean Bruce Scott is Producing Executive Director.
Rich with contemporary and historical elements, Walking on Turtle Island conveys the often untold Indigenous experience through some of the powerful and unique stories of Turtle Island (North America).
It is a tour-de-force vehicle for Greygrass, who depicts 22 dynamic characters—from a grandfather, to a mixed-blood sun dancer, to a boy who has lost his dog, to an 80-year-old Ojibway woman, to Iyeska, a trickster and spirit guide who moves through centuries and inhabits various spiritual “skins.†Greygrass previously starred in productions of Walking on Turtle Island at the prestigious Border Crossings’ Origins: Festival of First Nations and the international Festival at the Edge in the United Kingdom.
Ghostlands of an Urban NDN follows “Robert,†a multiethnic-non-specific-lower-middle-class-urban-NDN (slang for “Indian†) as he navigates the conflicting worlds of a mixed-race heritage. Greygrass plays 16 characters in this gritty look at the sometimes humorous, always gripping urban Native journey through the “ghostlands†—on and off the streets of contemporary “America.â€
Native Voices at the Autry, a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), is made possible in part by grants and support from the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the National Endowment for the Arts; Edison International; Nissan; the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Wells Fargo; and the Judith Jacobs Foundation.
NATIVE VOICES AT THE AUTRY is the country’s only Equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to producing new works by Native American playwrights. The company has been hailed by critics as “a virtual Who’s Who of American Indian theatre artists,†“a hotbed for contemporary Native theatre,†“deeply compelling,†and “a powerful and eloquent voice.†Native Voices, which provides a supportive, collaborative setting for Native theatre artists from across North America, was established as a resident company at the Autry National Center in 1999.
It is widely respected in both the Native American and theatre communities for its breakthrough plays and diverse programming, which highlight unique points of view within the more than 500 Native American nations in North America. Deeply committed to both developing new works by beginning, emerging, and established Native playwrights from across North America and seeing them fully realized, Native Voices has presented fully staged productions of 19 critically acclaimed new plays, including 14 world premieres; 8 playwrights retreats; 18 new play festivals; and more than 150 workshops and public staged readings of new plays. Native Voices is led by Founder/Producing Artistic Director Randy Reinholz (Choctaw) and Founder/Producing Executive Director Jean Bruce Scott.
The theatre maintains successful long-term relationships with New York’s Public Theater, Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT), Washington’s Kennedy Center, the National Museum of the American Indian, Montana Rep, and La Jolla Playhouse.
Tickets are $20 for general adult admission, $10 for students/military/seniors (55+), and $12 for Autry members; groups of 10 or more save 40%. Previews are half-price and free for Autry members. Two-Show Ticket Packages (previews not included) are $30 for general adult admission, $15 for students/seniors (55+)/military, and $18 for Autry members. Native Voices at the Autry is located at the Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way in Los Angeles.
To purchase tickets: www.NativeVoicesattheAutry.org.
*Refers to the artist’s tribal affiliation(s)
