Native Earth on New Ground
Native Earth Performing Arts is in a time of great transformation and renewal. After thirty years of supporting the network of a global Indigenous arts community, and weaving the traditional with the contemporary, we extend to you, our community, tremendous thanks.
It is with a sense of gratitude and responsibility to you, our supporters, our fellow Daniels Spectrum colleagues, the neighbourhood of Regent Park, the city of Toronto and the national theatrical community that we share our latest update.
The 2012/13 season has, thus far, celebrated the launch of the Aki Studio Theatre with the run of the debut from from our playwright-in-residence, Keith Barker. The Hours That Remain was a shining collaboration of NEPA sister companies New Harlem Productions and Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company. The 25th Weesageechak
Festival was a remarkable mix of workshops and presentations of dance and theatre works of great diversity. We have presented two very successfully received shows in collaboration with Gwaandak Theatre, and Chocolate Woman Collective. Aki Theatre hosted the Idle No More version of Wrecking Ball, and anticipates greatness from resident companies fu-GEN and Cahoots’ upcoming productions. We are delighted to have embarked on this new chapter with courage and success.
Our move to Daniel’s Spectrum in August is the realization of the vision we have had for NEPA, for many years. The transition marks a major leap for the company. Along with producing and developing important performing arts, we are taking on the task of managing a facility that houses productions by politically-minded theatre practitioners at subsidized rates. The on-the-job learning of these additional roles is a steep learning curve we are proud to be climbing.
As we continue to make progress through this transition, our immediate goals are to strengthen box office and venue management systems. We are also committed to creating works of theatre and nurturing artists who do so. To successfully achieve these goals, we are making adjustments to our current staffing model and our production schedule.
You will see fewer people working in the office on a full-time basis. You will also notice that we have temporarily postponed the upcoming world premiere of Kenneth T. William’s Deserters. Native Earth remains committed to
Deserters and the great many artists who have invested creatively in this project. These short-term, strategic tactics will allow us to remain aligned with our objective to grow on a solid foundation.
Native Earth is a thriving hub for Indigenous performing artists and we are excited by the opportunities before us. We sincerely thank all of you for being part of our ongoing evolution.
Yours in Humility, Generosity, Wisdom, Strength of Character, Tolerance, Patience and Courage,
Tara Beagan, Artistic Director
