Native Voices at the Autry

Bingo Hall by Dillon Christopher Chitto. Streaming American Indian Community House

CLAUDE JACKSON JR. What is your heritage (whatever that means to you)? Pima Indian (O’Otham), Hopi and Mexican. That firmly describes my Arizona background.... Where will you be watching the play from? I’ll be watching it from home. Sort of weird considering I’ve been to every Short Play festival at the Autry when I was competing. Is this your first time at Native Voices? This will be my 6th time. What compels you to write? It’s fun. Everyone is a storyteller. My specialty happens to be the written word. Do your characters have lives outside of the slice you are showing here? Yes, I tried to show that they have lives outside of the slice I presented here. From that, I welcome the audience to fill in the blanks as they see it.. How does listening to a stage reading of your play help? It’s helpful and entertaining. Helpful because you get an idea what these professional actors and directors interpret my words. Sometimes they see exactly what I saw in the work. Other times, they surprise me with their interpretation. Plus, I just enjoy watching a theater group applying their craft. That’s the entertainment value I so enjoy. Where can people find you on Social Media? Facebook, Instagram,Twitter and Tik Tok (but I’m 48 years old. I probably will never post a video on Tik Tok). You can find me as Claude Jackson or claudeberg.

Meet the Playwright Camaray Davalos What is your heritage? ... I am Indigenous (Payómkawichum), Mexican, Cuban, Jewish, and Irish. Where will you be watching the play from? Good question! Most likely at home with my partner, our cats, and some hot apple cider. Is this your first time at Native Voices? I was part of the short play fest last year, and am super happy to be back this year. What compels you to write? My innate need for creative expression and connection. When I am writing I am essentially trying to say This is me, this is how I feel..Do you feel this way too sometimes? I also feel responsible to write about issues or things that people might not know about, to use storytelling as a means of spreading awareness. Do your characters have lives outside of the slice you are showing here? This is an interesting question. I suppose they do, since part of this play is based on actual events/dialogue! How does listening to a stage reading of your play help? I’ve found that the way I write and imagine a scene is sometimes so different from how it’s actually performed...but I enjoy that. I think listening to a staged reading of my play helps me become open to interpretations, and even critiques. Also the way the audience reacts is humbling, and helps me understand what affects people, what makes them laugh, etc. Where can people find you on social media? I am on instagram as @Piwiishology :)

Meet the Playwright - LAURA SHAMAS What is your heritage (whatever that means to you)? I was born in Oklahoma. I am a member of the Chickasaw Nation. ... Where will you be watching the play from? Los Angeles Is this your first time at Native Voices? No! It is my fourth time. I love Native Voices. Everyone needs to support Native Voices! What compels you to write? I can only write when I have something to say. I feel very strongly about #MMIW, the topic of my short play. Do your characters have lives outside of the slice you are showing here? Honestly, I don’t know yet. Maybe? This was a first draft and I‘m grateful to have a chance to work on it with a dramaturg, actors, and a director before the November performances. How does listening to a stage reading of your play help? It is so helpful, so important. For me, a play doesn’t come alive until actors and a director are involved. So a reading gives a play its life. Where can people find you on Social Media? Only on Twitter: @LauraShamas

Meet some of our Playwrights. Our 10th Annual Short Play Festival Nov 14th and 15th The show will be virtual. ... Reserve a seat: http://bit.ly/NVSPF10 Claude Jackson, Jr. (Gila River Indian Community) Jennifer Bobiwash (Mississauga First Nation) Lee Cataluna (Native Hawaiian) Tara Moses (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) Camaray Davalos (Pechanga) Austen Brauker (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) James Lujan (Taos Pueblo) Patric Carroll Williams (Osage/Kiowa) Laura Shamas (Chickasaw)

There's a lot of theatre online in the next couple of weeks. Plan accordingly. #antigone directed by Madeline Sayet.

One more day to watch Sovereignty.

Events for playwrights.

The American Indian Community House is hosting a virtual Native Youth Program. If you're between the ages of 8 and 20 and available every Sunday in November, you can join some talented Native Theater artists.

An event not to be missed!!!!!!! Livestreaming with Kholan Studi !!!!!!!!