Critical companion to Native American and First Nations theatre and performance : indigenous spaces / Jayne T. Darby, Courtney Elkin Mohler, and Christy Stanlake
Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-256) and index
Setting the stage. The circle of indigenous spaces -- Incursions into performance cultures -- Reclaiming the stage. Culture bearers: the grandmothers of native theatreand performance -- Homeland yearnings across settings -- Revolutionizing the stage. Activating the stage -- Advancing the stage -- The heart of the matter: indigenousperformance and community -- Transforming the stage. Transforming production process -- Being and becoming -- Expanding the circle with future generations
"This foundational study offers an accessible introductionto Native American and First Nations theatre by drawing oncritical Indigenous and dramaturgical frameworks. It is the first major survey book to introduce Native artists, plays, and theatres within their cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, and socio-political contexts. Native American and First Nations theatre weaves the spiritual and aesthetic traditions of Native cultures into diverse, dynamic, contemporary plays that enact Indigenous human rights through the plays' visionary styles of dramaturgy and performance. The book begins by introducing readers tohistorical and cultural contexts helpful for reading Native American and First Nations drama, followed by an overview of Indigenous plays and theatre artists from across the century. Finally, it points forward to the waysin which Native American and First Nations theatre artistsare continuing to create works that advocate for human rights through transformative Native performance practices. Addressing the complexities of this dynamic field, this volume offers critical grounding in the historical development of Indigenous theatre in North America, while analysing key Native plays and performance traditions from the mainland United States and Canada. In surveying Native theatre from the late 19th century until today, the authors explore the cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual concerns, as well as the political and revitalization efforts of Indigenous peoples. This book frames the major themes of the genre and identifies how such themes are present in the dramaturgy, rehearsal practices, and performance histories of key Native scripts." -- Provided by publisher
