This foundational study offers an accessible introduction to Native American and First Nations theatre by drawing on critical 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 to historical 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 ways in which Native American and First Nations theatre artists are 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.
Jaye T. Darby is a lecturer in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA. She has published widely in Native theatre and transformative studies. With Geiogamah, she co-edited American Indian Performing Arts: Critical Directions and two other volumes on Native performance. She is also co-editor of the collection Keepers of the Morning Star: An Anthology of Native Women's Theater with Stephanie Fitzgerald.
Courtney Elkin Mohler (Santa Barbara Chumash) is Associate Professor of Theatre at Boston College. She co-authored Critical Companion to Native American and First Nations Theatre and Performance: Indigenous Spaces (2020) and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in Indigenous theatre. As a stage director and dramaturg, Mohler is dedicated to supporting new work by Native American playwrights. Some recent dramaturgy credits include Pure Native by Vickie Ramirez at Geva Theatre, Desert Stories for Lost Girls by Lily Rushing at Latino Theatre Company/Native Voices at the Autry, and The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota) at Virginia Stage Company.
Christy Stanlake is a Professor of English at the United States Naval Academy, where she directs the Academy's theatre program. With research interests in Native American theatre and performance, dramaturgy, and literature, Stanlake authored Native American Drama: A Critical Perspective (2009) and co-authored Critical Companion to Native American and First Nations Theatre: Indigenous Spaces (2020) with Jaye Darby and Courtney Elkin Mohler. Stanlake has applied theories of Native theatre to her direction of JudyLee Oliva's Te Ata and Lynn Riggs's Green Grow the Lilacs; both productions toured to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
Patrick Lonergan is Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway, Ireland.
Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr. is professor of theatre arts at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA, the author and editor of ten books including The Empire Triumphant: Race, Religion and Rebellion in the Star Wars Films, and a contributor to numerous volumes on sci-fi, pop culture and religion, including essays on Godzilla, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. His areas of expertise include Japanese theatre, African theatre, Shakespeare, Greek tragedy, stage combat and comedy. He is co-editor with Patrick Lonergan of Bloomsbury Methuen Drama's Critical Companions series.
