TRANSFORMER TALES: STORIES OF THE DAWNLAND at Penobscot Theatre Company

Penobscot Theatre Company is proud to present Transformer Tales: Stories of the Dawnland, a new play about Gluskape, the benevolent culture hero of the Wabanaki tribes, who taught the people the arts of civilization and protected them from danger. This original work is the culmination of a yearlong collaboration among the theatre, Penobscot elders and playwrights, native scholars, and educators from Indian Island. It will be performed by young people aged 4-19, engaged in the theatre's intensive summer camp program: August 11 at 6:00 pm at the Indian Island School; August 12-13 at 7:00 pm at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main Street, Bangor; and August 14 at 3:00 pm at Blackwoods Amphitheater in Acadia National Park, as part of the park's Centennial Celebration.

"The stories of Gluskape are replete with life lessons," explained Director of Education Amy Roeder, "but they have endured for generations because they're not only full of wisdom, they're loaded with humor and wildly imaginative characters, including woodland creatures and forces of nature!"

Roeder and resident teaching artist Ben Layman are co-directing the play with production management by John Siedenberg II, stage management by Nellie Kelly, projection design by BrIan Sanders, costume design by Emma Dean, sound design by Birdie Sawyer, and choreography by Grace Livingston. Key collaborators from the outset of the project, University of Maine English Professor Margo Lukens and Penobscot elder and language specialist Carol Dana are working with students throughout the pre-production process, along with Penobscot spoken-word artist Nick Bear and renowned storyteller Roger Paul. As part of the special summer camp experience, in addition to rehearsing the play, students will enjoy a field trip to the Hudson Museum at the University of Maine, which features native art and artifacts; and receive instruction in Penobscot language, history and culture. Music, movement, and dance will be used to great effect in the storytelling process.

The cast includes: Alec Alain (Winterport), Christopher Barrett (Hampden), Carmella Bear (Indian Island), Layla Bear (Indian Island), Julia Burns (Glenburn), Drew Campbell (Bangor), Luke Cote (Bangor), Sophia Crespo (Bangor), Courtney Doughty (Kenduskeag), Ruby El-Hajj (Winterport), Dannie Fenalson (Brewer), Amara Francis (Winterport), Becca Friedman (Brewer), Riley Howe-Grenier (Bangor), Lucien Jellison (Dedham), Ella Jellison (Dedham), Rowan Jellison (Strong), Lucy Kearns (Orrington), Dellana Kessler (Bangor), Torrie Lander (Dedham), Miranda Larson (Hampden), Conor Luferriere (Old Town), Nathan Manaker (Hampden), Maisie McCarthy (Bangor), Rachel Palmer (Winterport), Rebeclyn Parker (Dexter), Lexi Potter (Levant), Nicholas Rhodes (Enfield), Joey Rutledge (Bangor), Elizabeth Shum (Bangor), Lillie Sites (Bangor), Byron Sockalexis (Indian Island), Raven Sockalexis (Indian Island). A cohort of students is participating in the Tech Track program, which focuses on developing skills behind the scenes, including Sophia Bilodeau (Veazie), AnDrew Barrett (Hampden), and Hallie Rockcress (Bangor). Lauren Elwood (Bangor) is serving as assistant to the directors.

The performances on Indian Island and in Acadia National Park will be free to the public. Admission for the shows at the Bangor Opera House, August 12-13, is $8 for students and $12 for adults. Tickets may be purchased by phone or in person at the box office (207-947-3333) or online atwww.penobscottheatre.org

Transformer Tales: Stories of the Dawnland is funded in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and with support from: City of Bangor, C. Walder Parke Family Foundation, EMHS Foundation, Maine Humanities Council, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, Solon E. Summerfield Foundation, University of Maine Humanities Center, Seven Eagles Media, and Darling's Nissan.

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