Theatre
From NativeWiki
Pushing Up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Teresa Flavin, is a delightful collection of traditional Native American stories that have been adapted into children’s plays. These stories contain life lessons, as well as creation myths, and originate from seven different tribes: the Abenaki, Ojibway, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Snohomish, Tlingit and Zuni. Bruchac is presenting beautiful and traditional stories to new generations so that children can fall in love with the characters, much like children of these tribes have been doing for centuries. Native American storytelling is an important part of tribal tradition, and the author requests that these stories are respected by advising the directors to stick with the suggestions for costumes and scenery that Bruchac defines. His ideas for these elements come directly from the cultures that share these stories, and therefore are crucial for retaining the original style and intent. The illustrations within this book are detailed and dazzling. Children will love it for these pictures alone. They also help directors to see exactly how the story should feel, what colors and images are represented within the words. Before each play there is a short summary about the tribe where the story originated, which is absolutely wonderful for the children and the adult directors to be aware of. In this way, each story holds on to its culture and its people, while getting the chance to explore new venues. The use of animal characters and interesting adventures, such as in the Ojibway play entitled “The Star Sisters” where two sisters are able to go up in the sky and marry two stars, and then return home, will grab the attention and adoration of small children and genuine adults everywhere. This book of plays is a gem for directors of children’s theatre, and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Bruchac, Joseph. Illus. by Teresa Flavin. Pushing Up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children New York: Dial Books, 2000. ISBN: 0-8037-2168-4
