NAWPA news

March, 2000

The newsletter of the Native American Women Playwrights Archive

King Library, Oxford, OH 45056
(513) 529-3936
nawpa@lib.muohio.edu

ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

The November gathering of the Advisory Board (attended by Marie Clements, LeAnne Howe, Monique Mojica, and JudyLee Oliva) was productive and encouraging, and addressed many issues that needed discussion and clarification. The primary threads were a strong reaffirmation of the importance of the physical Archive itself, distinct from and in addition to performances and conferences; and the continuation of the Archive's dual committment to collect and encourage the works of contemporary writers and to create an archive of long-term value to future scholars. The advisors were passionate in their feeling that Native American collections are in general ignored, inadequately treated, and even discriminated against in other archives, and that NAWPA must continue to be managed, maintained, and housed responsibly.

The following items were discussed in reference to the aforementioned concerns:
  • CATALOGING: We are in the process of having the collection as a whole cataloged within the library system. We will continue to work toward having specific items within the collection cataloged as well.
  • MAINTENANCE: As the collection has grown, we have made some adjustments to how the materials are housed, and will continue to do so to insure that all items--scripts, photos, posters, promotional materials, letters, etc.--are preserved and available.
  • WEBSITE: In the interest of keeping pace with the state of information dissemination in an increasingly computerized world, the importance of the website was mentioned. The site continues to undergo development (see accompanying article), and has become not simply a static resource for immediate information, but is also more interactive through the forms page. This page has enabled people to contact the Archive simply and directly with reference questions, contact information, requests for photocopies (which we refer to the playwrights), etc. We currently average 2-3 contacts a week through this forms page, making the site quite an active one.
  • CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION: We need to intensify efforts to identify and contact playwrights whose works are not yet represented, and to remind current playwrights that we are always ready to accept new materials. The advisors suggested that a contact letter that lists their names and email addresses might be helpful in tapping into various performing and community networks to help facilitate this. In addition, we are hoping to soon receive many of the materials of the WagonBurners Theatre Troupe.
  • GRANTS AND FUNDING: The question was raised as to whether it would be possible and advisable to apply for grants and outside sources of funding to help inventory, treat, and catalog collections as they come in. Miami University provides the basic financial support and housing of the collection, but it may be possible to extend our resources by exploring additional funding options.
  • REVISED BROCHURE: As NAWPA has grown, we have decided to revise our brochure. It should be available by April.


WEB PAGE CHANGES

We are continuing to update the webpage. Our latest additions include several synopses for titles linked from the author's page, as well as a number of scanned images (photos, programs, etc.) for many of the works. One of the most exciting additions is a link from the main page to a transcription of the "Author's Roundtable" discussion that was held before the March conference. This was a very interesting and informative discussion, and conveys the diversity and commonality that is characteristic of the Archive.

We have also given the site a new "look," adding a textured background on the main pages, shaded "bullets", and a softer background color to most linked pages. The purpose is to make the site a bit more visually dynamic. Check it out, and tell us what you think!


CLEMENTS PERFORMANCE

Along with the Advisory Board meeting in November, the University and Oxford communities were treated to a performance by Marie Clements of a staged reading of her one-woman show Urban Tattoo. Intitially intended to be a full performance, technical difficulties necessitated the change in presentation format. It was a powerful, affecting performance, deeply appreciated by all in attendance. NAWPA is grateful to Marie and to the director, Randy Reinholz, for their hard work, talent, and flexibility.


GLANCY READING

Our next NAWPA performance, on April 8, will be a reading of two one-acts by Diane Glancy, The Woman Who Was a Red Deer Dressed for a Deer Dance and Jump Kiss. Diane will be in attendance, and has agreed to read the part of the Grandmother in "Deer Dance"; Native student Nichole Prescott will be reading the role of the Granddaughter. There will be a discussion with the playwright after the performance. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Archive or Bill Wortman at the email/phone number on the FORMS PAGE.


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NAWPA news is a publication of the Native American Women Playwrights Archive and King Library, Miami Universtiy, Oxford, OH. William Wortman, Executive Director; Rebecca Howard, Graduate Assistant/Editor.


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This page last updated 3/1/2000.