Indigenous women are currently facing an epidemic of violence, with some of the highest rates of physical and sexual violence in the nation. Their stories are largely unheard of or excluded from mainstream news and media narratives, which leaves a gaping awareness problem. Without the awareness, how can be raise our voices and speak out against injustice?
A new provocative play, from award-winning Playwright Laura Shamas (Chickasaw Nation) is highlighting the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) focusing on the stories of four resilient women searching for their missing loved ones. ‘Four Women in Red’ premiered with early previews on February 8th and 9th at The Victory Theatre Center in Burbank, California. Its official opening night was February 14, and the play will continue through March 23rd.
Directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga), ‘Four Women in Red’ stars Carolyn Dunn (Tunica-Choctaw/Biloxi, Mvskoke), Harriette Feliz (Chumash), Zoey Reyes (Diné and Chicana) and Jehnean Washington (Yuchi, Seminole and Shoshone) as four First American women desperate to find missing friends and relatives in the face of apathetic sheriffs and dwindling clues. Are their loved ones lost? Were they taken? Are they even alive?
This moving new play celebrates the power of community as the four women seek answers against all odds. Their roller coaster journey involves mystery, grief, prayer and moments of sudden joy.
‘Four Women in Red was first developed by Native Voices, the only Actors’ Equity theater company in the country dedicated to developing and producing new plays by Native artists.
Laura Shamas said she wrote this play to raise awareness about this very real crisis. “Congressional hearings were held last [November] to try to address some of these issues, but most Americans are unaware of this horrible ongoing emergency, and we must take action.”
“Women and girls are disappearing, and no one will look for them,” says Victory Theatre Center producing artistic director Maria Gobetti in a press release. “It’s horrifying.”
Utilizing the play as a way to elevate the conversation and give audiences meaningful ways to take action, The Victory Theatre announced a series of Talkback sessions, which began on February 14 (International Day of Action for #MMIW) and performances continuing through March 23. Talkbacks are scheduled to follow four Sunday matinees, beginning with an early preview on February 9.
As ‘Four Women in Red’ made its debut in Burbank, we had the chance to speak with Laura Shamas about her message, her mission, and what she hopes the play’s run will inspire in audiences as they hear and see the stories.
When did you begin writing ‘Four Women In Red’, and what was the inspiration?
I wrote it as a short play in 2020 for the Native Voices annual Short Play Festival (which was held virtually due to COVID). I wanted to support Native Voices at the Autry, and write about an important issue that needs attention, awareness, and action. A theater back East saw the short play (Transformation Theatre in MD), and invited me to write a full-length version. I did so by July 2021, and they produced a virtual version of it in November 2021, which was directed by Jeanette Harrison, who is directing this production, and starred Jehnean Washington, who is also in this production.
In 2022, it was in the Native Voices for the New Play Festival, held in L.A. and La Jolla Playhouse. Carolyn Dunn, who’s in it now, was the first dramaturg on the full-length version in 2021. And our costumer, Lorna Bowen, played Lynda in the very first virtual presentation in 2020. A lot of us in the theater community really care about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women!
Indigenous women are currently facing an epidemic of violence, with some of the highest rates of physical and sexual violence in the nation. Yet this isn’t in mainstream news headlines. How do you hope your play can help to bring more awareness?
I think any time an artist can bring attention to a subject, and make people think, feel and care about it more, you can help bring about change. I don’t think any single play can do that, but a play can add to the awareness-building, and clarify the action items needed by discussing them, and maybe even inspire a few more people to actually take action, make donations, call their reps, volunteer for a search party—do something!
Four Women in Red was first developed by Native Voices at the Autry. Can you tell us more about this theater company, and its place in the current theater landscape?
It is a very important theater—the only Equity-level Native American theater in the country devoted to new works for the stage. They’ve produced and developed new Indigenous plays for over thirty years. I urge everyone to read more about Native Voices at the Autry. And if you’re in L.A., go see their shows!
The Victory Theatre is hosting a talkback series, starting on Feb 14th which is International Day of Action for #MMIW. Who are some of the leaders and voices that audiences will get to hear from throughout the series, and what will they be talking about?
We have some wonderful speakers lined up. The series runs after Sunday matinees; all sessions will be about 30 minutes long:
- On Feb. 16, after our first Sunday matinee, Tayana Viscarra (Piro-Tewa Pueblo. Apache, Kumiai, European) and Norm Sands (Apache, Yaqui, and European), co-founders and leaders of Way of the Sacred Mountain, an Indigenous-led grassroots partnership providing healing and support for families and communities affected by #MMIW. They are also giving away 100 #MMIW scarves and bandanas over Opening Weekend, Feb. 14-16.
- On Feb. 23, best-selling author, professor, commissioner and leadership expert Cynthia Ruiz (Cherokee Nation, Latina) joins us to respond to the play and discuss other relevant issues. Her new book, co-authored with Jennie V. Estrada, is titled: “Sacred Ceremony and Rituals for Today’s World: A how to guide.”
- Finally, on March 9, we’ll have a talkback with Native Voices at the Autry’s DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation) and members of the cast, moderated by Elisa Blandford, the Managing Director of Native Voices. Topics will include: #MMIW, Native American /Indigenous Theater.
Which real life stories did you draw from for your main characters and the journey they embark on?
I remember one cast member in a workshop saying several years ago that in Native American communities, we all know someone or a family who has been affected by this horrible crisis. In my case, I tried to create composite characters based on personal knowledge. One story that I wanted to make sure was in the show is about Savanna Lafontaine Greywind; “Savanna’s Act” was named for her (signed into law in 2020).
For people who can’t understand why there isn’t more outcry about MMIW, can you explain the systemic barriers that many Native women and communities face when it comes to seeking justice?
It is a very complex issue, and to be honest, there are research paper, studies, and books about it. Here are some general categories that are barriers for justice for Native women and communities related to MMIW and MMIR: historic distrust of law enforcement (for initial reporting and for providing any results); lack of law enforcement capability and resources for searching, depending on where it happens; jurisdictional fights between levels of law enforcement agencies (tribal police vs. local vs. state vs. federal, etc.); lack of data-sharing and case communications between law enforcement agencies; and global human trafficking.
Can you tell us a little about the artists involved in ‘Four Women in Red’, and why it was important to have Native artists tell these stories on stage?
We have an extraordinary cast and director. The play stars Carolyn Dunn (Tunica-Choctaw/Bilooxi, Mvskoke), Jehnean Washington (Yuchi, Seminole and Shoshone), Zoey Reyes (Dinéh and Chicana), and Harriette Feliz (Chumash), directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga Nation). I cannot praise this cast highly enough. They are superb artists.
The excellent theater artist Jeanette Harrison has directed every incarnation of the play. I love working with her and I think she is a visionary director. The reason it’s so necessary to have Native artists tell these stories is: The stories are theirs to tell! If you live in L.A., don’t miss this chance to see these four extraordinary Native American performers onstage together!
Amidst the grief, there are also moments of joy see in the play. Why did you choose to include these moments alongside the more somber moments?
I think the audience goes on a roller-coaster ride with the show and the cast. There are some laughs, some tears, some anger, some terror, some dreams, some poetry—it’s a real “slice of life.” You always need some laughter along the way, to help to cope with hard things. Ultimately, this play is about resilience and community.
Storytelling has always been a powerful tool for connection and understanding in many cultures. Can you share more about storytelling in Native communities?
Storytelling in Native communities is medicine. It is super important to have good stories in Native American plays, so I hope the audience will feel the power of story in this show. We have some incredible storytellers in our cast! They are mesmerizing.
How do you hope your play will impact audiences beyond the stage? What kind of actions or responses do you hope it will provoke?
Throughout its development, I’ve been told that people who’ve encountered the play cannot stop thinking about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and what to do about it. I hope it will inspire people to care more and take direct action! It’s a national emergency. I’d also like to point people to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (niwrc.org) for more. Check out their website or give them a call. Tell them you want to help.
If you are in the Los Angeles or Burbank area, visit The Victory Theatre website to secure your tickets for a performance of ‘Four Women in Red’, as well as one of the Talkback sessions. You can keep up with the latest updates on the play during its run by following The Victory Theatre on Instagram.
