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This year’s homecoming musical “The Curtains” includes a murder mystery, dance numbers and one-of-a-kind shows depicting a Kickapoo Native American played by a white actress.
Based on a book written by Rupert Holms, “The Curtains” debuted in 2007 with a score by John Kander.It was then reportedly nominated for multiple awards playbill.com. The play is set in the 1950s.
in an interview Gazette, director and associate professor of communications and theater, Pete Rydburg, explained that the scene is based on a “performance within a show” of the musical “Oklahoma,” known as “Kansasland.” The character known as Bambi in “The Curtains” is an actress who plays a character named Princess Kickapoo. The Kickapoo character has a dance number at the Kansas show.
Denise Lowe, a Native American, Kansas Poet Laureate and Haskell Indian National University professor from 2006 to 2008, believes the scene encourages stereotypes that other races cannot tolerate.
“Will they do this to the Jews?” Lowe said. “Will they do this to African Americans? Can you imagine what the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) would say to represent some kind of blackface or certain stereotypes of African Americans in the 1950s? Just can’t Just tolerate it.”
However, Rydberg defended the decision.
“Certainly, it’s absolutely difficult for some people to imagine any scene where Aboriginal people are portrayed in this way,” Rydberg said. “And it’s an absolute irony, it’s unacceptable
representation, but it is a commentary on a historic, unacceptable representation. “
Rydburg said he did make slight changes to the lines and visual representation of Princess Kickapoo. The characters will not wear any type of headgear or face painting in the scene.
“As for revisions, I’d say the only revisions I made were in the score,” Rydberg said. “Little Deer Paabi will send out when playing Kickapoo.
However, Lowe said these changes are “a disservice” to Native Americans today.
“For example, I’m really grateful to those who are trying to do something about removing War-hoops,” Lowe said. “But to perpetuate stereotypes in the show, it’s not for locals. It’s for a white audience, not Aboriginal people.”
Sarah McDonald, a freshman psychology major, is a white actress who plays Bambi. MacDonald said she did initially have concerns about the scene.
“I grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona. So I grew up surrounded by Native American reservations,” MacDonald said. “So it’s definitely not something I would do in my personal life. But I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s not me. It’s Bambi. It’s in the ’50s. That’s how ’50s drama works.”
Land confirmation will be given prior to the start of the musical, acknowledging the displacement of Native Americans. According to Rydburg, this land confirmation is given before every ESU show.
“I appreciate they’ve been educated enough to do land confirmation,” Lowe said. “But if they don’t respect the Aboriginal people who continue to live on Turtle Island, it’s all empty talk.”
Performances of “The Curtain” will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre’s King Hall.
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