Shakespeare on Saskatchewan new stage for Peeteetuce
- Andréa Ledding | July 07, 2017
Curtis Peeteetuce will be playing several Shakespearean characters this summer, but he’s glad he is rooted in his Cree culture.
“Working with Shakespeare has been like revisiting my own world; I couldn’t find my own place until I developed my own foundation of culture, language, and history so I could find my place in other worlds of theatre.”
Incorporating the Cree language and culture into his practice has enhanced his skill as an actor, writer, director, and artist that has helped him transition into the world of Shakespeare: something he wants to share with up and coming Indigenous youth.
“It’s been a rebirth in terms of being a performer and you can’t ask for anything better...to be able to learn and re-learn and learn something new, it’s amazing, I’m having a wonderful time.”
In the drama Richard III, Peeteetuce plays King Edward IV, Lord Mayor, and the Earl of Oxford. In the comedy Twelfth Night, which this year is staged in a Bluegrass world, he plays a ship captain who opens the play, a musician, and Antonio.
Peeteetuce says the directors Skye Brandon and Will Brooks have been incredibly supportive and patient, along with his fellow actors. He feels like he has had to work harder to learn his lines than some of the other actors, which only serves to keep him humble.
But Twelfth Night and Richard III at Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan aren’t Peeteetuce’s only Shakespearean roles this year: this fall he will be playing MacBeth in the Cree version “Pawakan MacBeth” - something he describes as MacBeth through the worldview of the Cree, written by Renalta Arluk and produced by Theatre Akpik and Theatre Prospero in Edmonton. He hopes that version goes on the road too, but it’s worth a road trip even if it only gets performed in Edmonton. He credits all the roles he’s getting to the hard work he’s put in getting grounded in his own Cree identity.
“I really encourage Indigenous artists to find that foundation and find their place in the world of theatre before they explore the worlds of Shakespeare, Socrates, mainstream musicals - it’s going to enhance your understanding of theatre, your performance, your skills, and your abilities.”
And then we head backstage, where Aaron Shingoose has been part of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan for two seasons now, beginning as a design mentee. This year he’s assistant stage manager or backstage manager. Both Peeteetuce and Shingoose are Circle of Voices alumni from Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre, and have gone on to make careers in the arts as a result.
“For people who enjoy theatre, what I’m loving about Shakespeare is that I’m really enjoying diversity casting - women playing men’s roles, Curtis as an Indigenous playing a British king - we have great actors let’s give them great roles,” says Shingoose while he works on securing the outdoor curtains.
Both plays are performed on the riverbank of the South Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, in large outdoor tents filled with riser seating and the set itself; they run until the end of August.