Loksi, Loksi, Loksi - Minti
Those are probably four of the strongest words I have ever said during a performance. Being a part of Lowak Shoppala' has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. A lot of preparation went into getting ready for the production. I spent many late nights reading this wonderful story written by Chickasaw author and Pultizer finalist Li
nda Hogan over and over again. I had to make sure that when I told the story I was to the point that I new the story just as I knew any other traditional story that I have t0ld. I had to feel this story.....I had to become part of this story. I had to be able to feel the river when I spoke about it, I had to feel the emotion the girl felt when she was being made fun of, and I had give off the feeling of how proud this woman was to give such a magnificent gift to the Chickasaw people. The gift that allowed woman to dance. True emotion was coming from my lips. Images where feeling my head as the words floated out of my mouth. Images of dancers, gatherings, and what the Chickasaw people did in ancient days. I was on top of a mound, of course built out of wood but still a mound and all I could think of was, "I wonder if this is what it was like when stories where being told when..." The music playing while I told the story only made the story stronger. The music was elegant, strong, and breath taking and written composed by my great friend Jerod Tate. I gave the story breath the music gave the story a heart beat. And w
ith each powerful word the beat grew stronger making me raise my voice to ensure that everyone could hear me call the turtles. I wanted the audience to get chills when they heard me call the turtles. I wanted their heart to race just as mine did as I commanded the turtles to come. The feeling was amazing. Afterwards I was complimented on my performance. I was even told that I did in fact give e the audience chills.
nda Hogan over and over again. I had to make sure that when I told the story I was to the point that I new the story just as I knew any other traditional story that I have t0ld. I had to feel this story.....I had to become part of this story. I had to be able to feel the river when I spoke about it, I had to feel the emotion the girl felt when she was being made fun of, and I had give off the feeling of how proud this woman was to give such a magnificent gift to the Chickasaw people. The gift that allowed woman to dance. True emotion was coming from my lips. Images where feeling my head as the words floated out of my mouth. Images of dancers, gatherings, and what the Chickasaw people did in ancient days. I was on top of a mound, of course built out of wood but still a mound and all I could think of was, "I wonder if this is what it was like when stories where being told when..." The music playing while I told the story only made the story stronger. The music was elegant, strong, and breath taking and written composed by my great friend Jerod Tate. I gave the story breath the music gave the story a heart beat. And w
ith each powerful word the beat grew stronger making me raise my voice to ensure that everyone could hear me call the turtles. I wanted the audience to get chills when they heard me call the turtles. I wanted their heart to race just as mine did as I commanded the turtles to come. The feeling was amazing. Afterwards I was complimented on my performance. I was even told that I did in fact give e the audience chills. "And now WE have respect for the Turtle because THEY gave US our dance."
No comments:
Post a Comment