Josephine Keefe and Kellen Lewis, both of Spokane Ensemble Theatre, joined E.J. Iannelli by phone to talk about According to Coyote, a one-person play that recounts the epic adventures and mythologies of Coyote, a key figure in Native American legends.
Keefe credits the play, written by her uncle John Kauffman, with sparking her interest of the performing arts at a young age and enriching her understanding of her own Nez Perce heritage.
She's directing this revival, which is scheduled for several local performances before touring across the region and even nationally.
Lewis, an actor who recently appeared in Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi's streaming series Reservation Dogs, will reenact the stories of Coyote through a combination of acting, song and dance.
According to Coyote is being presented in partnership with One Heart Native Arts and Film Festival and Red Eagle Soaring.
The first two performances are on Indigenous Peoples' Day (Monday, October 10, 2022) at The Pavilion in Spokane's Riverfront Park. They are first-come, first-served seating and "pay what you can," with proceeds benefitting the Salish School of Spokane.
A second, ticketed performance is scheduled for October 16, 2022 at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
