Gonzaga to present free reading of 'Antíkoni'

Gonzaga University's Native American Studies program will present a staged reading of Beth Piatote’s play “Antíkoni,” at 2 p.m. Jan. 20.

This free event will take place at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center on the Gonzaga campus, 211 E. Desmet Ave., Spokane, and will offer a unique theatrical experience that explores universal themes through the lens of Native storytelling.

“Antíkoni” challenges audiences to contemplate the connections between the living and ancestors, examining the significance of eternal tribal laws compared to state laws. Piatote's adaptation of Sophocles' “Antigone” not only provides a unique perspective on these themes, but also highlights the unbroken thread linking Native peoples across time and place.

Written by playwright Piatote (Nez Perce enrolled Colville Confederated Tribes), “Antíkoni” marks a historic occasion for Gonzaga as the institution presents its first production of a play by a Native playwright from the tribal community of the Columbia Plateau. The production, supported by the Robert K. and Ann J. Powers Chair of the Humanities, is directed by Jeanette Harrison (Onondaga descent), a renowned figure in the theater community.

Admission is free. The performance will also be available through livestreaming and recording. Visit gonzagaperformingarts.evenue.net for tickets.

Harrison is a founder of Alter Theater in San Francisco and former artistic director of Portland’s Artist Rep Theatre. Her role as associate director of Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play” on Broadway in 2023 solidified her standing as a trailblazer in Native theater.

Piatote included the play in her acclaimed collection, “The Beadworkers,” published in 2019. Following its inclusion, “Antíkoni” has undergone extensive workshops, including at New York Classical Theatre. The play is set to be featured at Bard College's Center for Indigenous Studies Symposium in April.

In the weeks following the reading, Gonzaga’s Native American Studies program will host a series of free webinars exploring ideas and concepts within and related to “Antíkoni.” These webinars will cover topics such as Native American Graves and Reparations Act, adaptation of classical works for contemporary audiences, the vitality of Native theater and more. Colleagues from universities and institutions across the U.S. will participate in these conversations. The schedule for the webinars will be published on Gonzaga’s Native American Studies events page, inviting engagement from a broader audience interested in the rich themes presented in “Antíkoni.”

The production features a cast of local Native artists, teachers and thinkers. A special acknowledgment is extended to Emma Noyes (Sinixt) for her contribution to the program art.