Arigon Starr in Red Ink

An e-mail from singer/actor/playwright Arigon Starr:For those of you who have been following my travels, I've been in beautiful Minnesota for the past three weeks. The kind folks at the Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis asked me to be a part of their current production, "Red Ink" which runs from April 23-May 10.

What is "Red Ink?" "Red Ink" is a compilation of plays from seven Indigenous playwrights about contemporary Native issues. Featuring new work from Diane Glancy, Tomson Highway, Drew Hayden Taylor, Darren Renville, Yvette Nolan, Rhiana Yazzie and yours truly, "Red Ink" takes on everything from gaming to reality shows to blood quantum. Additionally, there is a mix of traditional and contemporary music that adds a punch to "Red Ink."

About two years ago, Rhiana Yazzie asked me to contribute two pieces to the show....and I happily obliged. For me, it felt like being asked to sit with the big people after years hanging at the kids' table. AAAY! Seriously--those names on the list are BIG time in Native theater. My favorite part of the assignment was to write as if the audience were completely "Native." At last...a chance to not have to explain what a "49" is or why not all Indians live on reservations. AAAY! It was a honor just to be included in a project like this.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Native Plays and Other Stage Shows.