Critical Companion to Native American and First Nations Theatre and Performance

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This foundational study provides an accessible introduction to Native American and First Nations theatre through critical Indigenous and dramaturgical frameworks. It is the first major survey to present Native artists, plays, and theatres within their cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, and socio-political contexts. The theatre of these communities integrates spiritual and aesthetic traditions into contemporary plays that advocate for Indigenous human rights through innovative dramaturgy and performance styles. The book opens with an exploration of historical and cultural contexts essential for understanding Native drama, followed by an overview of Indigenous plays and theatre artists throughout the century. It highlights how contemporary artists continue to create works that champion human rights via transformative performance practices. Addressing the complexities of this dynamic field, the volume offers critical grounding in the historical development of Indigenous theatre in North America, analyzing key Native plays and performance traditions from the mainland United States and Canada. By surveying Native theatre from the late 19th century to the present, the authors examine cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, political, and revitalization efforts of Indigenous peoples, framing major themes of the genre and their presence in the dramaturgy, rehearsal practices, and performance histories of significant Native scripts.