The Victory Theatre Center presents the world premiere of Four Women in Red, a provocative new play, written by Laura Shamas (Chickasaw Nation) and directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga), about the current crisis of Missing Murdered Indigenous Women in the United States. Shows run Feb. 14 (International Day of Action for #MMIW) through March 23.
Indigenous women are currently facing an epidemic of violence, with some of the highest rates of physical and sexual violence in the nation. Four Women in Red stars Carolyn Dunn (Tunica-Choctaw/Biloxi, Mvskoke), Harriette Feliz (Chumash), Zoey Reyes (Dinéh 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.
A talkback series is scheduled to follow four Sunday matinees, beginning with the preview on Feb. 9.
The talkback on Sunday, Feb. 9, will feature Shamas alongside the play’s director, Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga Nation), and members of the cast.
A discussion on Sunday, Feb. 16, will be moderated by Tayana Viscarra (Piro-Tewa Pueblo, Apache, Kumiai, European) and Norm Sands(Apache, Yaqui, 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.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, Cynthia Ruiz (Cherokee Nation, Latina), a bestselling author, professor, commissioner, leadership expert, executive coach and inspirational speaker, will lead the Q & A. Ruiz’s new book, with co-author Jennie V. Estrada, is titled “Sacred Ceremony & Rituals for Today’s World: A How to Guide.”
Finally, Sunday, March 9, will see a talkback with Native Voices at the Autry Artistic Director DeLanna Studi (Cherokee Nation) moderated by Managing Director Elisa Blandford.
SHOWTIMES:
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. / Sundays at 4 p.m.
• Previews: Feb. 8 and Feb. 9
• Performances: Feb. 14through March 23
LOCATION:
The Victory Theatre Centre
3326 W Victory Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
TICKETS AND INFO:
$20–$41
thevictorytheatrecenter.org
(818) 841-5421
Photo of Zoey Reyes, Carolyn Dunn, Harriette Feliz and Jehnean Washington by Fiona Burrows