"Thanksgiving Play" gives voice to Native communities in roundabout way
Throughout history, women have fought for inclusion and recognition, and although progress has been made, milestones are still being achieved. In 2023, Larissa FastHorse became the first female Native American playwright to see her work produced on Broadway.
Her play, The Thanksgiving Play, delivers a witty and satirical story about four well-meaning white characters assigned to create a politically sensitive production about the first Thanksgiving for a school’s Native American Heritage Month celebration.
The main conflict arises because no Native voices are directly involved in their creative process. The director, Logan (Katie Preston), believes she has solved that problem by hiring an actress she assumes is Native, Alicia (Elena Joyner), to ensure authenticity. However, upon Alicia’s arrival, it turns out she is not Native—she simply plays Native roles on stage.
Together with Logan’s partner Jaxton (Jackson McMurray), an idealistic actor, and Caden (Erik Contzius), a history teacher with little cultural awareness, the group struggles to balance district guidelines with truth, privilege, and the often-misrepresented narrative of Native history.
“The Thanksgiving Play” asks audiences to confront how easily good intentions can backfire when cultural understanding is missing.
Author’s Summary
A sharp satire highlighting cultural missteps and the importance of genuine representation, Larissa FastHorse’s play cleverly exposes the pitfalls of privilege and performative awareness.