LCC presents 'The Thanksgiving Play'
Chris Pongracz as Caden, Ashley W-Morris as Logan, Keara Hayes as Alicia and Chris Chamberlain as Jaxton run through a scene from “The Thanksgiving Play” during a dressed rehearsal in LCC’s Black Box Theatre. Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney
By Kaitlyn Delaney
Associate Editor/Photo Editor
Starting Friday, Feb. 23, LCC Performing Arts is presenting “The Thanksgiving Play,” written by Larissa FastHorse, in the Black Box Theatre in LCC’s Gannon Building.
Production times are Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 23 and 24 and March 1 and 2, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and $5 for students.
“The Thanksgiving Play” is a hilarious comedic satire about a group of actors attempting to find a way to create a production that celebrates National Heritage Month and Thanksgiving at the same time, while also teaching valuable lessons.
The writer of the play, Larissa FastHorse, is the first Native American playwright in the history of American theater to have a play in the top 10 most produced plays in American theater. She is also the first Native American playwright to have her work on Broadway.
“The Thanksgiving Play” cast runs through a dressed rehearsal scene. Photo by Kaitlyn
Delaney
Director Blake Bowen said he enjoyed the experience of being able to watch the actors grow.
“My favorite part of this experience has been watching these actors continue the process of understanding and developing their individual acting styles through play and improvisation,” Bowen said.
“The craft of acting isn’t universal to every artist, but is instead personal and unique to each actor. Students need the opportunity to experiment through the rehearsal process to discover who they are as an artist.”
Throughout the satire-comedy, FastHorse is teaching about her experiences of being a member of the Sicangu Lakota tribe in today’s society.
“My hope is that audiences are challenged and inspired to look at their relationship to the topic of identity and representation in this country,” Bowen said. “Every character in this play is well meaning and wants to honor Native culture. However each character also has their blind spots that could end up silencing Native voices instead of lifting them up.”
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