THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Comes to The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television in October

Performances run October 11 - 22, with a preview performance on October 8.

By: Sep. 26, 2023
THE THANKSGIVING PLAY Comes to The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television in October

 The School of Theatre, Film & Television will present The Thanksgiving Play, a satirical comedy from playwright Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation), Oct. 8-22 in Tornabene Theatre.

The Thanksgiving Play follows a troupe of well-meaning theater artists whose attempts to put on a culturally sensitive Thanksgiving school pageant go awry. The play is presented in repertory with The Laramie Project.

From its debut, The Thanksgiving Play connected with audiences and quickly built momentum. By 2019, it was one of the top 10 most-produced plays in the United States. The play made its Broadway debut earlier this year, making FastHorse the first Native American woman known to have a play produced on Broadway. 

TFTV’s production of The Thanksgiving Play is directed by guest director Randy Reinholz. An enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Reinholz is the founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Native Voices at the Autry, the nation’s only Equity theater company dedicated exclusively to the development and production of new plays by Native American, First Nations, and Alaska Native playwrights. 

"In the beginning, folks wondered if this comedy about Thanksgiving – the most misunderstood Native American holiday traditionally told by non-Native Americans – could have this many race observations and still be funny,” said Reinholz.

“It turns out that The Thanksgiving Play has lots of laughs and plenty of medicine. We hope that audiences have a great time, and perhaps come away wondering: what if Native people had more forums for stories, what else might we know, what laughs might we share, and what harm might be prevented?" 

Cast member Alyssa DiRaimondo (BFA Acting) added, “Working with Randy Reinholz on The Thanksgiving Play has been an incredibly inspiring process. This play dives heavily into the injustices that Native Americans face and since none of the cast identifies as Native, we were all a bit apprehensive on how to navigate our way through the play. Randy listened to our fears and made sure to create a welcoming rehearsal space where we all could ask questions and learn together. I will forever be grateful for his lessons, vulnerability and never-ending support.” 

This production will have 8 performances between Oct. 8 - 22, including a special post-show discussion with the director and cast on Friday, Oct. 13. Ticket discounts are available. This production qualifies for our free student ticket program. 


BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Phoenix

1
Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Arizona Broadway Theatre Photo
Review: WHITE CHRISTMAS at Arizona Broadway Theatre

The spirit of the Yuletide season is in full and pleasurable bloom at Arizona Broadway Theatre with the company’s sparkling production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS, directed by Rob Watson. The show runs through December 30th.

2
THE PROM Comes to The Historic Stagebrush Theatre in December Photo
THE PROM Comes to The Historic Stagebrush Theatre in December

Greasepaint Presents THE PROM next month. Performances run December 8-17, 2023.

3
LEDISI Comes To Chandler Center For The Arts April 12 Photo
LEDISI Comes To Chandler Center For The Arts April 12

LEDISI is set to perform at Chandler Center for the Arts on April 12. Don't miss this incredible concert experience!

4
Student Blog: 2023 Jimmy Award Nominee Denver Dickenson Jr. on Defying Expectations and Th Photo
Student Blog: 2023 Jimmy Award Nominee Denver Dickenson Jr. on Defying Expectations and Thriving with Versatility

In this interview, I got to sit down with Denver Dickenson Jr., one of my personal role models as a performer. They spent their summer in New York representing AZ at the Jimmy Awards as a nominee before moving there to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I enjoyed conducting it.

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE in Phoenix POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE
Stray Cat Theatre (12/01-12/16)Tracker
remove in Phoenix remove
remove (4/25-2/07)
The Barber of Seville in Phoenix The Barber of Seville
Symphony Hall (1/27-1/28)
She Loves Me in Phoenix She Loves Me
Starlight Community Theater (12/01-12/17)
Almost Maine in Phoenix Almost Maine
Emerson Theater Collaborative (12/01-12/03)
7 Kimono Styling Tricks Show in Phoenix 7 Kimono Styling Tricks Show
Breathing Storytellers (4/28-6/07)
I Am Playing Me - A Bridge Cabaret co-presented with ASU Kerr in Phoenix I Am Playing Me - A Bridge Cabaret co-presented with ASU Kerr
ASU Kerr (12/04-12/04)
Choir/Vocal Jazz: A Season of Singing in Phoenix Choir/Vocal Jazz: A Season of Singing
MCC Performing Arts Center (12/04-12/04)
The Arizona Nutcracker in Phoenix The Arizona Nutcracker
Madison Center for the Arts (12/16-12/16)
It's a Wonderful Life in Phoenix It's a Wonderful Life
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (11/16-12/30)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You