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Tulsa Performing Arts Center to Stage Indigenous-Centered Show for Students Nov. 4–7
Summary
Tulsa Performing Arts Center representatives told the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission the TPAC will present Channeling Our Ancestors Nov. 4–7 with daytime student performances and a free master class for Native community members on Nov. 1.
Representatives from the Tulsa Performing Arts Center told the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission on Oct. 21 that TPAC will present Channeling Our Ancestors, a locally written and produced show, Nov. 4–7 with daytime performances for school groups and an evening public performance Nov. 7.
Pete Otis, director of development at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, said the production is part of Any Given Child, a Kennedy Center partnership that brings students to daytime performances and provides classroom pre- and post-show materials. “This year, we’re focusing on kindergarten and seventh grade,” Otis said, adding that TPAC rotates target grades year to year depending on the show.
Becca Worthington, director and co-writer of the production, said the piece features an all‑indigenous cast and a sketch-comedy style intended to prompt conversation about contemporary Native experiences. “We talk about the unlearning of the Pocahontas movie and ... what it’s like to be indigenous in Oklahoma today,” Worthington said. She said the production aims to broaden students’ perspectives and make theater feel more welcoming to Native audiences.
The commission was told daytime performances are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.; the evening performance is at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7. TPAC also will host a free master class Nov. 1 for Native community members ages 8 and up; organizers said dozens had already registered. Otis invited commissioners to attend and to take printed materials left at the meeting.
Commissioners noted TPAC’s series includes other age‑targeted productions and said the Kennedy Center partnership is intended to give students multiple live theater experiences during their K–12 years. The presenters said they hope to continue the production in future seasons and possibly tour it beyond Tulsa.
Ticketing, school participation, and master-class registration details were described in the presenters’ handouts but were not read into the record. The commission did not take formal action on the presentation.
