More on Peltier play

Peltier's "fight for freedom"Featuring an entirely Native American cast, the theatric production is set inside Peltier's prison cell, with singers, dancers and Lakota drummers behind the protagonist.

"We can't go and hear the story of Leonard Peltier in prison, so I'm bringing it to the people," says director Cathie Quigley-Soderman.

Judson Webb, producer of the show and Theatre 13's co-managing director, describes Peltier as "the Nelson Mandela for the Native Americans." He hopes the production will "raise awareness and bring Leonard Peltier's case into the public mind, as it should be."Actor feels honor taking Peltier roleFoote will play Leonard Peltier, an American Indian imprisoned for 30 years and considered by many to be a political prisoner, in Theatre 13's world premiere of My Life Is My Sun Dance, based on Peltier's autobiography.

It's not his first performance--in the miniseries Into the West, Foote was a featured extra. More significantly, the series featured his music. Growing up on a South Dakota reservation, Foote became aware of Peltier when he was about 9 years old.

"What has he done, and what he has fought for, I too have been through that," he says. "I am very honored and humbled to play that part of Leonard Peltier."

Both men are of Lakota descent. Foote has made his life honoring his heritage, from his success as a fancy dancer (a fast, intense men's dance) and drummer to his service in the war in Iraq.