Jodi Rave: Natives find 'Voices' at Autry Museum

"Ojibwe writer Drew Hayden Taylor seems to easily command words into stories.

He's written 17 books - one on Native erotica is in the works - but his greatest passion is making words dance on the actor's stage.

Nearly the entire month of March at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles will be devoted to Taylor's latest play, “The Berlin Blues,” which is in the production draft stage, meaning the playwright's script is being acted on stage for the first time.

This isn't Taylor's first play. In fact, he's a veteran of Native Voices at the Autry, which nurtures, develops and produces new work by Native playwrights.

The theater company works all year with writers of all ages from across the country.

To write a play is more than putting dialogue on paper. The words must translate on stage in action and movement.

It typically takes 18 months to two years to get a play ready for an audience, said Jean Bruce Scott, executive director of Native Voices at the Autry.

The Autry has worked with Native playwrights for the past six years. It offers several programs to help plays come alive, starting with the writing to actors reading the script to the final production. Aspiring and veteran playwrights can be a part of the program through a competitive script selection or by attending regular script seminars."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Theater programs help Natives find their voice (The Missoulian 3/2)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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