New Native Theatre's National Native American 10-Minute Play Festival Podcast

New Native Theatre has been producing the National Native American 10-Minute Play Festival in the Twin Cities since 2016. As we couldn't do this in person over the last 18 months we decided to turn what we had into audio play versions. This series will take plays from these festivals, starting with 2016, and present them as audio plays, followed by interviews with the playwrights. New Native Theatre is the Upper Midwest’s professional theatre company dedicated to Native artists and audiences. As the most frequently producing Native American theatre in the Midwest, New Native Theatre has been creating professional pathways into careers in the performing arts and seeding the ecosystem with Native talent since its founding by Diné/Navajo Artistic Director, Rhiana Yazzie in 2009. NNT is a dedicated anti-racist, anti-colonial organization that believes theatre is one of the most powerful tools for reclaiming resilience, health, and agency for indigenous tribal communities.

All Episodes

New Native Theatre's National Native American 10-Minute Play Festival Podcast

Tawa's Rising

January 13, 2022 • New Native Theatre • Season 1 • Episode 2

New Native Theatre is the Upper Midwest’s professional theatre company dedicated to Native artists and audiences. As the most frequently producing Native American theatre in the Midwest, New Native Theatre has been creating professional pathways into careers in the performing arts and seeding the ecosystem with Native talent since its founding by Diné/Navajo Artistic Director, Rhiana Yazzie in 2009. NNT is a dedicated anti-racist, anti-colonial organization that believes theatre is one of the most powerful tools for reclaiming resilience, health, and agency for indigenous tribal communities.

Season 1, Episode 2 - Tawa’s Rising

New Native Theatre presents the second audio play from its National Native American 10-Minute Play Festival podcast series. Episode Two, Tawa’s Rising, written by Jaren Navenma (Tuscarora/Hopi), takes place at sunrise at the edge of the mesa on Hopi territory.
Calvin takes his daughter to the edge of the mesa in Arizona in the hopes of repairing their relationship after experiencing the loss of a loved one.

Director
Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha (SWO Dakota)

Actors
Sam Aros Mitchell (Yaqui)
Stacey Janelle Vaughn (Tewa Pueblo /Hualapai)