By K.E. MacPhie
I got to spend a Saturday with the New Native Theatre Company and what a great vibe it was! It was such a genuinely joyful and welcoming environment perfectly balanced with talent, fun, and freedom to try, and clearly steered by a director and playwright who does exactly what she’s meant to do – direct that blend of personalities with clear vision and intention in everything.
It’s no surprise they are, once again, making waves in Indigenous storytelling with the premiere of The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow, and The Monk. This production marks the final play in the theatre’s 15th anniversary season, a significant milestone for an organization at the forefront of Native theatre in Minnesota.
Written and directed by New Native Theatre’s founder and Artistic Director, Rhiana Yazzie, with co-direction by Portland artist, Amber Ball, this play promises an unforgettable journey that blends humor, healing, and the fantastical. Inspired by literary classics like The Odyssey and Alice in Wonderland, The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow, and The Monk follows a zillennial brother and sister on a self-help journey. But this is no ordinary adventure—at its heart, it’s a story about confronting and healing from the trauma that has been passed down through generations, specifically the painful legacy of boarding schools. Through a mix of whimsy and wisdom, Yazzie’s script invites audiences into a world that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Yazzie is no stranger to the power of storytelling. Her recent work, The Other Children of The Sun, debuted at The Kennedy Center this winter to great acclaim. Now, with this latest play, she is continuing to expand the landscape of Native theatre with a bold, visually imaginative, and deeply poignant approach.
As Yazzie herself puts it, “My work with New Native Theatre has always been about seeding a meaningful Native Theatre ecosystem in Minnesota. Many times, that has come at the cost of creating my own new plays, but recently I’ve felt like I’ve really come into my own as a playwright-director with a wildly imaginative visual style and poignant and comedic writing.”
That commitment to building a thriving Native theatre community has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, New Native Theatre was awarded the prestigious Bush Prize, and Yazzie herself was recently recognized with a 2025 USA Artists Fellowship. These accolades are a testament to the impact that New Native Theatre has had—not only on Indigenous storytelling but on the broader arts community.
At the heart of New Native Theatre’s work is an unwavering dedication to authentic Indigenous storytelling. The stories brought to the stage reflect the full spectrum of Native experiences: the joy, the humor, the resilience, and the struggle. The company understands that Native stories are not monolithic, and through its productions, it strives to showcase the richness and diversity of Indigenous life. By sharing these narratives, New Native Theatre fosters understanding, connection, and empowerment. And they walk the talk, too.
Lead artistic producer, Genevieve Lane, said the company maintains an elder-in-residence, and a therapist on retainer, available to all their actors. They also keep a rehearsal schedule that allows people to have a healthy work/life balance. They are doing theater differently in ways that aren’t just good for Native people but could be best practices for everyone.
In their commitment to community accessibility, New Native Theatre continues to offer pay-what-you-can ticketing. The suggested price for a ticket is $35, but audiences are encouraged to contribute what they are able.
As the largest and most frequently producing professional Native American theatre company in the Midwest, they are redefining what Native theatre looks like. Based in the Twin Cities, their work is focused exclusively on Native American playwrights, actors, and directors, ensuring that Indigenous voices remain at the center of their productions.
Whether you are a long-time supporter or someone new to New Native Theatre, The Nut, The Hermit, The Crow, and The Monk is a must-see production. It’s a chance to experience storytelling that is raw, real, and deeply moving—all while celebrating the continued growth of Indigenous arts.
You can see the show at Gremlin Theatre in Saint Paul, located at the Annex Building, 550 Vandalia Street, #177. The show will run for fifteen performances from April 16th through May 4th, with showtimes on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
For more details, visit www.newnativetheatre.org, call 612-367-7639, or email info@newnativetheatre.org. Tickets are at https://nhcm.bpt.me. For group sales, inquiries can be directed to boxoffice@newnativetheatre.org.
