Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program: 'Dark Earth'

Dark Earth - By Blossom Johnson (Diné) | Directed by Daniel Leeman Smith (Choctaw). In 1972 Dinétah, a close community is uncertain of their future over water, coal, and natural resources. The community watches as "Mr. Peabody'' hauls away coal along with their hopes and dreams. Siblings Anna and Sarah have to decide if their family needs to relocate away from the mine or stand their ground on dark earth. Bessie and Harlen are caught in the middle as they grapple with the Hopi-Navajo land dispute, family obligations and being good stewards. Jessie is just trying to keep his diner open while the coal mine is booming with customers who pay their tabs.

The Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program (YIPAP) promotes and cultivates Indigenous storytelling and performance to further authentic representation across New Haven community and the arts field. The YIPAP 9th Annual New Native Play Festival presents developmental readings of works by acclaimed professional Native playwrights as well as the winning play submitted to the Young Native Playwrights Contest. Join us for one or more of this year's readings: