My name is Nicole “Nikki” Suyama, and I serve as the Artistic Director for Red Eagle Soaring (RES) Native Youth Theatre. I’ve been part of RES for more than 20 years, starting as a student and working my way through the ranks.
I am Inupiaq on my mother’s side and RES provided me the space to be in the community with other urban Indigenous youth and offered me a springboard into the Seattle theater scene.
I’ve previously had the honor of serving as the Cultural Advisor for another therater's production of The Thanksgiving Play, but this time around I was hesitant because I felt I wouldn't contribute much.
I voiced my concerns to a colleague that worked with Larissa Fasthorse recently, and she stressed to me the importance of someone from the Native community being in the space.
This resonated with me especially since this specific scenario directly coincides with the whole plot of the show. Larissa did extensive research on the historical facts presented, and the negative stereotypes highlighted throughout the play.
These stereotypes are supposed to be hilarious and offensive exactly as they are portrayed in the play. Any wrong pronunciation or misguided thoughts would add to the joke.
Larissa wrote The Thanksgiving Play in response to her other works which featured Native characters not getting produced due to the perceived notion that Indigenous actors are too hard to find. Larissa wrote the show for non-native actors, but I’m continually drawn to it because it gives Native people a voice, even when we aren’t there.
I am so thankful I was part of this production and offered what I could. The script is genius!
