A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Council

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 4m

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.'s one-act fable explores humanity's relationship to nature.

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The Council

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fable/Folktale
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary
The Council tells the story about how Man was able to evolve with the help of the nations of animals that lived in harmony with one another. However, as Man and his nation grow, their harmony with animals quickly diminishes. A fable that inspects humanity's relationship to nature.
History
The Council was commissioned and produced by Seattle Children's Theatre (January 1991) and Honolulu Theatre for Youth (1992), directed by William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. The paly was also produced by the Wakiknabe Theatre Company in Albuquerque, NM and subsequently in New York City as a part of a children's festival sonsored by the National Museum of the American Indian in May 1999, also directed by William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.
Keywords
Performing Groups
BEING ONE – Joey, Man
BEING TWO – Whale One, Condor, Ice Traveller (Orca Whale), Woman
BEING THREE – Scientist, Sparrow, Walrus, Man Three, Wolf One
BEING FOUR – Whale Two, Tiger, Sea Turtle, Woman Two, Wolf Two
BEING FIVE – Father, Panda Bear, Man One
BEING SIX – Whale Three, Sea Gull, Lizard, Man Two
BEING SEVEN – Michelle, Eagle, Wolf, Mako, Water Buffalo Calf, Woman One

Native characters should always be played by Native actors. The production must know whether the Native actor is an enrolled member of their tribe or of descent, and if they live their life in community as a Native person, before casting. In no instance should someone who claims to be a Native actor but who has no tribal affiliation be cast in one of these roles.

  • Time Period Ancient
  • Setting An undefined space suggesting multiple locations.
  • Features Fantasy Costumes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)

Media

“A mythic pageant on the primordial relationship between humans and the other animal nations.” – David H. Fenimore, University of Nevada, Reno
“Explores many contemporary Native themes through a deft mixture of hard-bitten reality, humor light and dark, and a penetrating yet poignant dramatic vision.” – Native Peoples (on the anthology where the pavement ends: five Native American plays)

Videos

  • William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. on Indigenous Theatre – Brown University youtube thumbnail

    William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. on Indigenous Theatre – Brown University

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

William Stanley Yellow Robe, Jr. (Assiniboine/Sioux) was a playwright, actor, director and teacher. He was a staunch advocate for Native and Indigenous playwrights, beloved by his students and revered by his audiences. His work has been produced around the United States and i ...

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