Category Archives: Bethel & Beyond Tour

Big City Bethel

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April 18, 2015

The Winter Bear team has enjoyed a bustling week in Bethel, Western Alaska’s hub of 6,000 people.

Bethel From Above

Bethel From Above

Immediately upon arrival, we were whisked away to our housing at the Yuut Elitnaurviat People’s Learning Center, and the cast is extremely grateful for comfy dorm rooms after a week sleeping on school floors. We’re fortunate to have the incredible community support of Paul O’Brien, who helped arrange housing, program printing, transportation in Bethel, and more.  Paul lost his son Drew to suicide four years ago, and has since founded Drew’s Foundation, a co-producer of The Winter Bear Bethel & Beyond tour. He works tirelessly to improve suicide awareness in the hopes that other families will not have to suffer such a loss.

 

The Winter Bear performed two shows at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, enjoying all-ages crowds of 300+ each night.  Click here to read a great article about the show from Alaska Dispatch News.

Miranda (Naaqtuuq Dommek) and Lynx (Kadey Ambrose). Photo by John Wallace. tundraphotos.com

Miranda (Naaqtuuq Dommek) and Lynx (Kadey Ambrose). Photo by John Wallace. tundraphotos.com

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Some brave young men jumped up on stage to join our curtain call dance. Photo by John Wallace. tundraphotos.com

Following our run at YPCC, Bethel’s annual Cama-i Dance Festival kicked into high gear. The Winter Bear team is enjoying passes to the festival — what a blast to see so many diverse dance groups!

Crow Singer and Hip Hop Artist Supaman had the crowd eating out of his hand.

Crow Singer and Hip Hop Artist Supaman had the crowd eating out of his hand.

Local dance group from Bethel.

Local dance group from Bethel.

A young group of Kalskag Dancers.

A young group of Kalskag Dancers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our teaching artists are also working with community groups at Cama-i — here’s a shot of Ben Coffroth trying not to laugh during a game of Park Bench!

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One more day in the Big City, and then we are back to the coast!  The last three stops on the tour will be Emmonak, Alakanuk, and the Lower Yukon School District headquarters Mountain Village.

 ~Sarah Mitchell (Raven/Assistant Producer)

Sunny Scammon Bay

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April 14, 2015

Gorgeous day flying into Scammon Bay.

Gorgeous day flying into Scammon Bay.

 

Finally a sunny day! And what a view flying from Chevak to Scammon Bay. We deserve this after five days of snow and fog.

The school at Scammon Bay is built on a hill. The truck that brought us up barely made it with us and gear and new snow on the ground.

Scammon Bay School parking lot.

Scammon Bay School parking lot.

It’s easy to get a sledding party together in Scammon Bay. Just go out with sleds and a pack of children and dogs appear out of nowhere. Serious fun!

 

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Plenty of hills to go around in Scammon Bay.

Yesterday was a busy day of workshops, with Winter Bear teaching artists leading 12 different classes in Inupiaq Dance, Hip Hop, Movement, and Theatre Games.

Actor Brían Wescott (Sidney) helps some 2nd graders out in Inupiaq Dance class.

Actor Brían Wescott (Sidney) helps some 2nd graders out in Inupiaq Dance class.

Like other schools in this area, many signs around the building are in Yup’ik and English, with certain rooms and classtimes devoted to preserving Yup’ik culture.

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After a busy school day, The Winter Bear enjoyed performing for a very engaged all-ages audience. Afterwards, many children came up to dance with us during curtain call!

Actors Jake and Brían during our Curtain Call dance, "Pulling From Within." Photo by Missy Rivers.

Actors Jake and Brían during our Curtain Call dance, “Pulling From Within.” Photo by Missy Rivers.

Actors Brían and Sarah are pretty thrilled about their Scammon Bay swag.

Actors Brían and Sarah are pretty thrilled about their Scammon Bay swag.

The cast enjoys a post-show sunset. Photo by Brían Wescott.

The cast enjoys a post-show sunset. Photo by Brían Wescott.

-Anne Hanley (Playwright/Producer)

Student Workshops in Chevak

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April 11, 2015

The Winter Bear team is currently enjoying a relaxing day off in the Chevak school library.

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Naaqtuuq Dommek shares laughs during her Inupiaq Dance class.

Yesterday was our first busy day teaching workshops for students of all ages.  The morning began with Naaq Dommek‘s Inupiaq Dance class. Naaq, originally from Kotzebue, taught three dances: “Getting Ready to Dance,” “Basketball,” and “Ah-ha-ha-ha.”  There was something for everyone to enjoy!

Click here to watch a video of the Basketball Dance!

Director Erick Robertson wraps up a Theatre Games session.

Director Erick Robertson wraps up a Theatre Games session.


Winter Bear teaching artists also led Theatre Games sessions throughout the day.  Oftentimes we would encounter a reluctant group of teens who were not shy about expressing their skepticism.  By the end of the hour, however, these same “cool kids” were full of giggles and hilarious ideas during improv games like “What Are You Doing?” and “Park Bench.”

It’s always fun to work with students on the day of a performance, because they recognize the actors in the play later that evening. Many students hung around after the show to take pictures with actors.  I may have even given a piggy-back ride or two!

Raven (Sarah Mitchell) selfie!

Raven (Sarah Mitchell) selfie!

Lynx (Kadey Ambrose) with some fans.

Lynx (Kadey Ambrose) with some fans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a day of rest in Chevak (we may go so far as to walk to the dump if we are feeling adventurous), it’s off to Scammon Bay for our 3rd show. Let’s hope the weather cooperates — we have heard that Scammon can prove a tricky destination on windy days.

-Sarah Mitchell (Raven / Assistant Producer)