Historic stories and key values of Secwepemc culture is the cornerstone of a new play coming to Enderby this August.
Runaway Moon Theatre has partnered with the Splatsin Language and Culture Centre to bring Tuwitames to the stage.
Rosalind Williams, James Fagan Tait and Cathy Stubington are the directors of the play and are the same trio that put on the renowned production Not The Way I Heard It, 15 years go.
After years of documenting stories and history from Splatsin elders, Williams approached Stubington at Runaway Moon Theatre with the idea of sharing the stories and bringing the community together.
“The best way for people to absorb information is through role-play,” said Williams. “It’s a great vehicle to get stories and cultural knowledge across to youth and fill the gap.”
Williams said time is ticking, and it’s important to share the stories of Secwepemc culture not only with Splatsin youth, but the wider population as well.
Tuwitames focuses on the history of the entire Secwepemc Nation. It tells the story of a young man named Kyle who comes home to look for his ancestors. Kyle then enters into the past and discovers his connection to the land and people through the telling of stories from different time periods. The play will also feature a live earth orchestra and a variety of Splatsin language songs.
“The audience gets to live through the sweep of history, it’s very significant,” said Tait. “The audience is going to see the whole community emerge and see the whole story of that community unfold step by step.”
The play features 51 actors, with another 20 people volunteering their time to finding costumes, making props, and performing music. The play encompasses a wide age range, with the youngest actor being four-years-old and the oldest 83.
“There’s been a lot of people really interested,” said Tait. “And they’ve been really so brave to go beyond their barriers with acting, considering they are shy by nature.”
The play is also bringing together First Nations bands, with 14 actors coming from the Adams Lake and Neskonlith bands.
Tait says the acting in the show is amazing, despite the fact that many of the actors are taking the stage for the very first time.
“We feel it in the team and at rehearsals,” he said.
Williams’ grandson, Aaron Leon, is an example of an actor who is breaking through the barriers and going onstage for the first time.
“It’s new, and really fun,” said Leon. “It’s quite interesting and fascinating.”
Rehearsals are underway at Enderby’s Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Teaching Centre, and the building is buzzing with costume making, prop decorating and activity, which is a community building and learning experience in itself.
“It’s truly amazing in that regard,” said Williams “We’re all taking this journey together and you can see youth picking up and absorbing all the information.”
Salmon Arm high school student Maia Tremblay is working in the costume department.
“I decided to register with a youth employment program to get back in touch with my community,” said Tremblay, who spends her time thrifting for costumes and helping to build props. She said she has loved her experience working with the production, and is now considered making a career in costuming.
Tuwitames will run from Aug. 6 to 10 at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Teaching Centre, which is located on Canyon Road behind the SuperSave gas station. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth and seniors and $5 for children. Call 778-443-4000.