Exploring Laughter and Reflection: A Glance at The Thanksgiving Play and Its Impact on Indigenous Representation

by Eden Johnson

Eden Johnson

Earlier this year, my mother and I sat in the Helen Hayes Theater, situated comfortably between Broadway and Shubert Alley. We were both excited and skeptical to see Larissa FastHorse’s The Thanksgiving Play – all we knew was that it was by an indigenous playwright, featured a cast made up entirely of white people, and was about a Thanksgiving play. As two indigenous women and artists, we were used to inaccurate and borderline offensive portrayals of our culture (Disney’s Pocahontas comes to mind…), so I don’t think either of us had particularly high expectations for the show. One cannot imagine just how pleasantly surprised we were by the show. It showcased our culture in a hilarious way and poked fun at how even the most well-meaning people sometimes don’t “get it.” FastHorse’s show has quickly become one of my favorite plays of all time, and I’m so excited to see Cadence Theatre in partnership with Virginia Rep’s production of The Thanksgiving Play.

The Thanksgiving Play is a fast-paced, witty, satirical comedy that follows a high school theater teacher, her actor boyfriend, an elementary school history teacher, and an actress from LA as they try to put together a culturally sensitive and age-appropriate play to celebrate Thanksgiving with their students. It deals with uncomfortable subjects like white guilt, the concept of “passing,” and the perceived homogeneity of indigenous culture in the United States without ever being too heavy. The show will leave you laughing until your stomach hurts while also making you consider your place in the world and your relationship with the people whose land you stand on.

Following the November 12th performance, join Cadence for a post-show reception and talkback with a panel of local indigenous individuals. Dive into the play's themes and their relevance to today's public, exploring the influence of stereotypes and misunderstandings in popular culture, as well as the impact of racial identity on social interactions. Engage in a brief Q&A session with the panelists and the creative team for a more in-depth discussion.

The Thanksgiving Play runs at Virginia Rep’s Theatre Gym from November 10-19, 2023, starring Paul Dandridge, Otto Konrad, Laine Satterfield and Anna Starnes Blair. This production also features young actors June Barry, Pearl Barry, Avery Bernard, Zoe Bernard, Adeline Carpenter, Owen Collins, Dax Crawley, Harlow Crawley, Milo Crawley, Helen Oristian, Sage Pearson, Vivian Pearson, and Ginna Rawles.