GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI
presents
Video montage and cover photos by
HELGA SIGVALDADÓTTIR and SUSAN DAVIS GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI 466 Chetwood Oakland, CA 94610 510 836-4313
A N AT I V E A M E R I C A N O DYS S E Y Composed by SANFORD JONES with Original Choreography by JUDITH JONES A GRAND LAKE MONTESSORI production “HIAWATHA” Video by LEXI LEBAN/CRITICAL IMAGES, INC. Camerawork by LEXI LEBAN, JOHNNY SYMONS and DAVEN GEE Video edited by LEXI LEBAN Director and Musical Director KATHY BRUNNER Soprano and Vocal Coach JANE CHEN
A N AT I V E A M E R I C A N O DYSS E Y
The story begins when Gitche-Manito, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, descends from the Land of the Blessed to the Earth. Tribal prophets foresee his coming and call the chiefs and warriors of the tribes together. Gitche-Manito reminds them of all the gifts of nature he has bestowed on them, and emphasizes the futility of war. He commands the warriors to wash off their war paint and discard their weapons, and join together to smoke the calumet (peace-pipe). During his childhood, Nokomis, Hiawatha’s grandmother, shares the stories of her tribe, the Ojibways, with him, and introduces him to the wonders of nature. His playmates are birds and creatures. His childhood ends when he is able to go into the forest alone and kill a deer in order to provide food, clothing and shelter for his people. Against the wishes of Nokomis, Hiawatha travels to the Great Plains, to the land of the Dakotahs, to find and woo his heart’s desire, Minnehaha. Not only does Hiawatha love Minnehaha, but he also hopes their marriage will help to end feuds and wars between the Ojibways and the Dakotahs. He takes her to his home and the Ojibways prepare a wedding feast for the couple, complete with gift giving, singing and dancing. A severe winter brings Famine and Fever to the village. Hiawatha beseeches Gitche-Manito to provide food to the sick and dying. Sadly, Minnehaha passes away and Hiawatha grieves. Indian guides bring Christian missionaries to the Ojibways and Hiawatha welcomes them and is hospitable to them. Then, after bidding Nokomis and the villagers goodbye, he paddles his canoe westward and joins Gitche-Manito in the Land of the Blessed.
www.grandlakemontessori.com Helping to make childhood a journey, not a race. © 2010 Grand Lake Montessori. All rights reserved.
2010
In a one-time performance July 16th, 2010 - 7:00pm