New Native Theatre Presents Blood Quantum Physics: A Live Audio-Recorded Play Exploring Minneapolis Indigenous Life, Culture, and Identity

Minneapolis, MN – New Native Theatre, a leader in Native American theatre, is proud to announce the debut of Blood Quantum Physics, a groundbreaking live audio play written by Deanna StandingCloud that explores the rich lives and complex relationships of a group of Native American women navigating modern Indigenous communities. The series delves into the intersection of life, love, culture, and identity, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to honor tradition while adapting to a contemporary world.

It will be recorded live at Gremlin Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota where audiences can watch the series divided into Part One and Part Two on alternating evenings. Blood Quantum Physics brings to life the stories of three dynamic Native women: Maria Boyd, Tina Cloud, and Sarah Roberts. Each bringing a unique voice and a blend of personality, purpose, and resilience to the stage as they support each other through life's challenges. The play touches on pivotal moments, from participating in powwows to crafting traditional ribbon skirts, offering both humorous and poignant insights into the Indigenous experience.

Artistic Director, Rhiana Yazzie says “We commissioned Deanna in 2019 to write this audio play series after producing two of her ten minute plays at our National Native American Ten Minute Play Festivals. We’re happy to finally get to bring this funny and heartwarming show to life!” After the audio plays are recorded this December in front of an audience, the plays will be edited and available as a podcast in the Summer of 2025.

Playwright Deanna StandingCloud says “Being entrusted to share my imagination through the stories included in the Blood Quantum Physics universe helped me to trust myself as an Indigenous writer. Working on this project pushed me to see what is possible and to uncover what stories live inside my heart and mind.”

Through a series of relatable milestones, Blood Quantum Physics explores universal themes of identity, family, and personal growth, all within the context of contemporary Minnesota Indigenous life. As the characters grapple with societal expectations, cultural reconnection, and the pursuit of self-acceptance, their shared journey highlights the beauty, complexity, and strength of Native communities today.

New Native Theatre will premiere Fallenstar: The Watchoverers in collaboration with Duluth Playhouse at the NorShor Theatre October 11 through October 13, 2024. Following that, the play will tour schools in the Twin Cities and end with a one week run at the Minneapolis American Indian Center October 16 through November 3, 2024.

This Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) play is an original commission part of the BIPOC Superhero Project, a national initiative led by playwright and educator José Casas. The initiative was designed to give the TYA canon more stories with heroic BIPOC characters and to give playwrights of color more access to Theater for Young Audiences stages. This play is a collaboration encouraged by Duluth's Indian Education program to bring New Native Theatre and Duluth Playhouse together. Fallenstar: The Watchoverers is the first Native American produced play on the NorShor stage.

Fallenstar: The Watchoverers is about three cousins who find a meteorite that gives them superpowers. United by a shared sense of purpose, the cousins embrace their roles as heroes, combining forces to become FALLENSTAR. Their newfound powers are immediately tested when they encounter the Earthchomper, a formidable foe with a destructive agenda to capture the meteorite. The youth must confront this danger to protect their world from being consumed by its mindless destruction of the earth. by their unique abilities and familial bond, the play shows how ordinary individuals can become extraordinary when they work together.

Playwright Ramón Esquivel says, “Writing Fallenstar began with community. Back in December 2022, when I had no idea what this play would be about, New Native Theatre brought me to the Twin Cities to meet their team and members of the community they serve. I met three sisters at a writing workshop the theatre hosted, and they gave me the idea of telling a story about one hero made up of three people, which eventually became Fallenstar. Working with this talented, intelligent, and inspiring group of performers and director truly brought the story to life. We all look forward to sharing our story of ordinary heroes doing extraordinary things with young people and their families across the state of Minnesota.”

New Native Theatre is bringing to the Twin Cities the very successful international tour of Bear Grease, a hilarious Native twist on the 1978 classic, Grease, reimagined with Indigenous humor and pride.

Bear Grease is New Native Theatre’s second production after being named a 2023 Headwaters Foundation for Justice Bush Prize winner that recognized New Native Theatre’s approach to decolonizing the theater ecosystem and creating a living expression of indigenous storytelling centering Native artists and audiences.

Artistic Director of New Native Theatre, Rhiana Yazzie says, “We’re excited to share this unique and wildly successful tour to Minnesotans. Unless you’re Native, most in the performing arts community don’t know about the phenomenon that is Bear Grease, and we’re delighted beyond words to always be that bridge to bring the best authentic Native work across the globe to the Twin Cities.”

Creators of Bear Grease who hail from Canadian First Nations are Crystle Lightning and MC RedCloud, a husband-and-wife duo with extensive résumés in music, theatre, television and movies, including a recording career as the rap duo, LightningCloud. They made Bear Grease to provide modern and positive representations for Indigenous people in the arts.

Like the original, it is based on Grease’ central characters Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson. Lightning, who plays Sandy and MC RedCloud, who plays Danny, are joined by an all-Indigenous cast of characters who offer clever twists on ones made famous in the film.