09/14/2022
Play Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Klamath River Fish-Kill
Minority Voices Theatre (a program of the Very Little Theatre in Eugene, Oregon) is proud to present a concert reading of illioo Native Theatre’s Salmon Is Everything in VLT’s intimate Stage Left, Friday and Saturday, September 23, 24 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, September 25 at 2pm.
This presentation of Salmon Is Everything commemorates the 20th anniversary of the devastating fish-kill on the Klamath River and celebrates the resiliency of this diverse community. In the midst of the 2001-2002 drought, upwards of 70,000 salmon in the course of 2 weeks lay dead along the banks of the Klamath River, calling the region’s water policies into question, and pitting neighbor against neighbor.
Based on historical events, the play follows three families that represent three constituent communities in the Klamath River watershed: an upper Klamath ranching family, descendants of longtime residents; a Karuk-Yurok family, whose ancestors have lived in the Klamath watershed since time immemorial, and whose livelihood and culture depends upon salmon; and an environmentalist and her partner caught in the middle of a bitter watershed-wide conflict.
Salmon Is Everything calls attention to the water issues that face many of the rivers and watersheds of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, and reflects Indigenous cultures of our region by exploring the ecological issues that are affecting them and all of us. The 90-minute concert reading is suitable for family audiences and will be followed by post-play discussions with representatives from local and regional watershed groups and Native community members.
illioo Native Theatre (iIlioo means “joyful” in the language of the Kalapuya people) was founded in 2020 by Marta Lu Clifford (Chinook, Cree, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Lori Tapahonso (Diné, Acoma Pueblo) and Theresa May. The company celebrates and showcases Native/First Nations/Indigenous dramatists and artists through productions, concert readings and workshops, and honors the spiritual importance of traditional performance forms, including storytelling and song. illioo also provides consultation to professional and community arts organization in Indigenous dramaturgy.
Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) is proud to provide Production Sponsorship for Salmon Is Everything and strives to protect salmon in our stewardship of the McKenzie River. The performance is co-sponsored by UO’s Environment Initiative, supporting community-engaged projects that honor Indigenous ecological knowledge.
Tickets go on sale September 5th with a sliding scale of $0 - $25. For tickets to Salmon Is Everything, please visit: theVLT.com/tickets.
