The Thanksgiving Play: What Would Crazy Horse Do?

The Thanksgiving Play is a modern classic of Indigenous theater that explores the complex and often fraught history of Thanksgiving through the eyes of Native American characters. The play follows a group of Native American actors who are hired to perform a play about Thanksgiving for a white audience. As they work on the play, they begin to question the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving and explore their own experiences of colonization and oppression.

The Thanksgiving Play is a powerful and thought-provoking play that challenges audiences to think critically about the history ofThanksgiving and its legacy for Native Americans. The play was written by Larissa FastHorse, a member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, and was first produced in 2018. The play has since been performed across the United States and has won numerous awards, including the Obie Award for Best New American Play.

The Thanksgiving Play opens with a group of Native American actors auditioning for roles in a Thanksgiving play. The actors are all struggling to find a way to authentically portray Native American characters in a play that is written by and for white people. The actors eventually decide to create their own play about Thanksgiving, one that tells the story from a Native American perspective.

The Thanksgiving Play / What Would Crazy Horse Do?

by Larissa FastHorse

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1109 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	137 pages
Paperback	:	28 pages
Item Weight	:	1.76 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.07 x 9 inches

FREE

The Thanksgiving Play tells the story of the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Wampanoag people. The play shows how the Wampanoag welcomed the Pilgrims to their land and helped them to survive. However, the play also shows how the Pilgrims eventually betrayed the Wampanoag and took their land.

The Thanksgiving Play is a powerful reminder of the real history of Thanksgiving and the ongoing legacy of colonization for Native Americans. The play is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

The Thanksgiving Play features a cast of seven characters:

• Jaxton Two-Rivers: A young Native American actor who is struggling to find his place in the world.
• Logan Locklear: A Native American actor who is more experienced than Jaxton and is trying to help him find his way.
• Alicia Standing Elk: A Native American actress who is passionate about telling the story of her people.
• Dennis Deertail: A Native American actor who is skeptical of the Thanksgiving play and its message.
• Cora Two-Rivers: Jaxton's mother, who is a traditional Lakota woman.
• Mr. Whitefeather: A white director who is trying to stage the Thanksgiving play.
• Mrs. Whitefeather: Mr. Whitefeather's wife, who is also a white director.

The Thanksgiving Play explores a number of themes, including:

• The history of Thanksgiving: The play tells the story of the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Wampanoag people. The play shows how the Wampanoag welcomed the Pilgrims to their land and helped them to survive. However, the play also shows how the Pilgrims eventually betrayed the Wampanoag and took their land.
• The legacy of colonization: The Thanksgiving Play explores the ongoing legacy of colonization for Native Americans. The play shows how colonization has led to the loss of land, language, and culture for Native Americans. The play also shows how colonization has led to racism and discrimination against Native Americans.
• The importance of storytelling: The Thanksgiving Play shows the power of storytelling to challenge the dominant narrative and to give voice to the voiceless. The play shows how storytelling can be used to heal wounds and to build bridges between people.

The Thanksgiving Play has received critical acclaim from both Native American and non-Native American critics. The play has been praised for its authenticity, its humor, and its powerful message.

• The New York Times: "The Thanksgiving Play is a powerful and thought-provoking play that challenges audiences to think critically about the history of Thanksgiving and its legacy for Native Americans."
• The Washington Post: "The Thanksgiving Play is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving."
• Variety: "The Thanksgiving Play is a hilarious and heartbreaking play that will stay with you long after you leave the theater."

The Thanksgiving Play has won numerous awards, including:

• Obie Award for Best New American Play
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play
• Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
• Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play

The Thanksgiving Play is a modern classic of Indigenous theater that continues to be performed across the United States. The play has had a profound impact on Native American audiences and has helped to raise awareness of the real history of Thanksgiving and the ongoing legacy of colonization for Native Americans.

The Thanksgiving Play is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving. The play is a powerful and thought-provoking reminder of the history of colonization and its ongoing legacy for Native Americans.

The Thanksgiving Play / What Would Crazy Horse Do?

by Larissa FastHorse

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1109 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	137 pages
Paperback	:	28 pages
Item Weight	:	1.76 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.07 x 9 inches

FREE