UNC Asheville students recently performed and arranged “The Thanksgiving Play” written by Larissa FastHose, a satire comically critiquing political correctness and social ‘wokeness’ surrounding the Thanksgiving narrative.
“When a group of well-meaning white educators tries to create a culturally sensitive and historically accurate elementary school play about the first Thanksgiving, their best intentions lead to a series of comically misguided choices,” a description of the play on the UNCA drama website page.
According to stage manager CJ Long, having the play written by someone who is Native American allows for theater to be able to have a play that still talks about the ideas surrounding Thanksgiving while not speaking over certain points of view.
“Thanksgiving has been something that has been challenged, for of course, many decades now,” said Marcos Martinez, playing one of the kids in the play. “I don’t think the perspectives of Native Americans are heard enough.”
According to Long, developments for the play began in August with auditions, along with students from all departments putting months of time into the final product.
“It’s such a fun show. There are so many moments, like more than I could list, that just specifically, I am excited to see peoples’ reactions to,” said Caitlin Dowdy, the scenic assistant for the play.
Dowdy helped create the school atmosphere for the play, arranging ideas for the desks, stage, bookshelf and scuffed floors.
“You start by reading the script and then you identify the necessary components and figure out how to translate that into your space because we have a somewhat unconventional theater setup,” said Dowdy.
Long said the collaboration put forth towards this year’s fall play was memorable and one of their favorite parts of the production.
”My favorite part is honestly the collaboration between putting the team together and then having us work in production meetings and rehearsals. Like the actors are lovely,” said Long.
According to Long, the costumes in the show resemble memories some may have from their childhoods, including handmade costumes resembling turkey and pilgrims for actors playing kids in the play. The costumes are comparable to what some may have actually seen in real life.
“Our student designer, Nadia Kessel, she’s been designing the costumes for the show. Seeing her work renderings and her progress as an artist has been really cool,” said Long.
Martinez said playing one of the kids acting in the play mimics the way the American education system portrays Thanksgiving.
“I play a middle schooler. In my mind, the point of these scenes is to show how in the education system, it is ingrained that, you know, the idea that Thanksgiving is a very fun story,” said Martinez.
UNCA student, Chrisoula Theodorou, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, spoke to theater students as a resource for their play offering thematic guidance, cultural perspectives and insight on the ongoing lack of Native American representation and voices.
“I had already known, of course, that Native Americans are a very silenced and underrepresented group basically in any story being told,” said Martinez. “I don’t think people realize the extent of it or feel the extent of it and I think people need to be willing to have that conversation.”
“The Thanksgiving Play” is one of the last plays happening here at UNCA under the drama department, bringing overwhelming feelings for the cast.
“A lot of them (actors), this is their first year here and people think the theater department is gone. It’s not. We’re still around, we’re still kicking ass,” said Martinez.
According to Long, the mix of emotions comes with uncertainty.
“Also knowing it’s the last, like there’s that mix of emotions and I mean, it sucks knowing that these are the last two. But these are the last two and I get to do it. You know what I mean,” said Long.
According to cast members, supporting theatre now is more important than ever, as it shows the importance of the arts.
“I think this play is telling a good and relevant message and I think you know, coming to see it, you’re supporting some really talented actors,” said Martinez. “This and whatever we do next semester is the last set of things that will be officially produced by the theater department.”
