NDN Interrupted - an Aboriginal look at urban young love

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Award winning Actress Directs and Premieres a New Aboriginal Play in Calgary

Gemini award winning actress, Michelle Thrush (Cree)
is premiering a new play entitled, “NDN Interrupted”
in Calgary on December 2 & 3, 2011
at the John Dutton Theatre.

This 75 minute, one act play, explores young love in an urban setting
and everything that comes along with it.

"We have a cast of five actors; four of them are under twenty and performing live professional theatre for the first time. We’ve been through a six week rehearsal/training schedule and I’m honoured to watch how each Aboriginal actor has grown and developed their voices and skills. I am beaming with excitement and cannot wait to see our cast perform on opening night. As director, I could not have asked for a more eager and passionate cast. They are so willing to learn,” said Michelle Thrush, Director of NDN Interrupted.

The one act play is written by Telly James (Blackfoot) and is being supported through the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY). Telly's writing has captured the very unique humour of Treaty 7 people in southern Alberta and will bring laughter to audience members. The play touches upon issues of safe sex, peer pressures and cultural identity.

"It's exciting to be a part of providing a new creative outlet for the talented Aboriginal youth of Calgary. I want to extend our appreciation to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for providing this opportunity. I can't wait to see it,” said LeeAnne Ireland, Executive Director with the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY).

“It is my hope to travel it through the high schools in Treaty Seven territory and beyond. NDN INTERRUPTED is really about giving our youth a voice, a venue, and providing the skills to tell their own stories. We come from a storytelling tradition and theatre is just another aspect of that,” concluded Michelle Thrush.

For further information, please visit: www.usay.ca

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