by Bethel Council on the Arts
Bethel Council on the Arts is pleased to bring to Bethel the theatrical production, ALAXSXA | ALASKA, created by the internationally acclaimed Ping Chong + Company from New York, to be performed Thursday, September 7, at 6:30, in the Gladys Jung gym.
Performers Gary Upay’aq Beaver from Kasigluk and Ryan Conarro, an Alaskan artist-in-residence, show the perspectives of “outsider” and “insider” through narratives in which newcomers collide with Alaskan cultures and climates, often humorous and often tragic. These narratives, performed through movement and puppetry, juxtapose with the performers’ personal memories, and include a glimpse of their first meeting in Beaver’s village where Conarro has worked regularly as a teaching artist.
The performance weaves puppetry, video installation, a soundscape of recorded interviews, and yuraq (Yup’ik drum and dance). The personal and cultural clashes shown raise questions about cross-cultural experiences and influences across Alaska.
The 80-minute production, 6:30 Sept 7 in the Gladys Jung gym, has limited seating. The performance is free, but those attending must have a ticket for admittance due to limited seating. Contact Judy Wasierski at [email protected] or 545-3961 for tickets.
A second performance sponsored by LKSD will be in Kasigluk Saturday, September 9. There will also be performances in Anchorage, Nome, and Homer. Funding sources for ALAXSXA/ALASKA are BCSF grant, Harper Arts Touring Fund, LKSD, National Theater Project, Rasmuson Foundation, and TWC.