Teatro VivoYana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet
by Maria Rocha and Roxanne Schroeder-Arce
directed by Rudy Ramirez
produced by the Indigenous Cultures Institute and Teatro Vivo
Auditions:
May 28-29, 2019
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Callbacks:
June 2, 2019
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
and/or June 3, 2019
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center
600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701
The Indigenous Cultures Institute and Teatro Vivo are seeking performers for Yana Wana’s Legend of the Bluebonnet, a one-act play for young people. This production will include daytime performances for local schools, and touring performances to other Texas cities and towns. All actors must identify as Indigenous/Native American and/or Latina/Latino/Latinx/Mexican/Mexican American. All roles require some singing ability.
Actors should prepare a monologue approximately 1-2 minutes in length. You may be asked to do a cold read of scenes from the play at the audition. Those with little or no experience are encouraged to audition. Please come prepared with a headshot or photo, and a resume.
Auditions are by appointment. Please email Maria at maria.rocha@IndigenousCultures.org to arrange an audition.
Production Schedule:
Rehearsals: August 26-October 2, 2019
Monday through Thursday, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Performances at ESB-MACC: October 3-12, 2019
Tuesday-Friday 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
Fridays, 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Performances in San Marcos: October 14-15, time TBD
Touring performances will be between October 21-November 2.
All actors will receive a stipend.
Synopsis:
Thirteen-year-old María is having trouble in school, so her mom sends her to stay with her Coahuiltecan grandmother in distant Laredo for discipline and perspective. There, María is told an ancient story of young Yana Wana, who followed a revered deer to find water to save her people. Yana Wana’s story exposes an amazing and unknown ancestral connection to the bluebonnet that gives María a renewed sense of self and family pride. You may have read one version in school; now we invite you to come see the legend through the eyes of Yana Wana in this unique all-indigenous production. A beautiful, original play that illustrates the power of heritage and the value of one’s own story – especially one as ancient as the petroglyphs of Texas.
Characters:
MARIA, Female, 13.
GRANDMOTHER/ABUELA/KIS/FLOR, Female, 60.
LIBRARIAN, CHIEF—CACIQUE (Chorus, Ancestor, plays drum at moments) Male, 50.
MOTHER/MARGIE, (Chorus, Ancestor,) Female, 30.
YANA WANA (Chorus, Ancestor, also speaks for her doll, Asawan) Female, 12.
CURANDERA CONSUELO (Chorus, Ancestor,) Female, 30’s.
TCAKEI/MATZĀN (Chorus, Ancestor, Musician, K’uāna Tcakei Born to Hear – pronounced Koo – ah-na Chah-kay, Tcakei/Chah-kay for short/ Yana Wana’s Brother–Matzān, pronounced Mah-t-san) Male, 13.
DEER (Chorus, Ancestor) Male, ageless.
