Ajijaak on Turtle Island tells the story of Ajijaak, a young whooping crane. Separated from her family in a Tar Sands fire caused by the monstrous Mishibizhiw, Ajijaak must make her first migration from Wood Buffalo, Canada, down to the Gulf Coast on her own, finding her voice and a family through the interconnectedness of all of creation.
Ajijaak begins her travels with a medicine bundle, given to her by her parents, as her guide. She encounters deer, buffalo, coyote and turtles as well as communities of people from Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Lakota and Cherokee Nations, living in balance with their environments. These people share with Ajijaak prayers, songs and dances that celebrate life on earth and help Ajijaak find the meaning and strength of her own song.
It is with this song that Ajijaak must restore balance to Turtle Island and return Mishibizhiw to sleep.
A reflection on life’s energy and how it connects all aspects of our world, Ajijaak on Turtle Island brings communities together through puppetry, music, traditional dances, animations and kites. Ajijaak’s story puts forward visions from Indigenous communities, celebrating the symbiotic relationship between cranes and Native American/Indigenous peoples and inspiring the next generation of storytellers, change-makers and eco-champions.
Produced by IBEX Puppetry; Puppets are designed and fabricated by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™ (Muppets, Sesame Street); created by GRAMMY Award winner Ty Defoe (Ojibwe/Oneida), Dawn Avery (Mohawk), Larry Mitchell, Kevin Tarrant (Ho-Chunk/Hopi) and visionary puppet artist Heather Henson.
Written by Ty Defoe
Lyrics by Ty Defoe and Dawn Avery
Music by Dawn Avery & Larry Mitchell, Kevin Tarrant, and Ty Defoe
Based on Original Storyboards written and drawn by
Heather Henson
Originally Co-Directed by Ty Defoe and Heather Henson
The authors acknowledge the contributions to the play of Ari Berk, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Melissa Creighton, Doreen Day, Sharon Day, Deb Echohawk, Tony Enos, Kate Freer, Lux Haac, Joan Henry, Marika Kent, Laura Krouch, Holly Angela-Lu, Anastasia McAllister, Pamela McCaddin, Curtiss Lee Mitchell, Adelka Polak, Sheldon Raymore, Brenna Ross, Christopher Swader, Justin Swader, Henu Josephine Tarrant, Jason Weber, and Emma Wilk
Ajijaak - Vicki Oceguera
Brings Humble - Sheldon Raymore
Coyote/Turtle - Matt Cross
Deer/She Has Corn/Crab - Emily Preis
Grandmother Aki - Kimberly Jajuan
Walks in Two Worlds - Bradley Lewis
Swing - Emmeline Briggs
Swing - Opalanietet
Director-Choreographer - Jen Olivares
Associate Director - Daniel Leeman Smith
Music Director - Doug Oberhammer
Scenic - Christopher and Justin Swader
Costume - Lux Haac
Lighting - Marika Kent
Projection - Katherine Freer
Sound - Emma Wilk
Costume Designer for Crane: On Earth, In Sky - Donna Zakowska
Puppet Design & Fabrication by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™
General Management - Brierpatch Productions
Scott Newsome, Laura Cronin, Bess Eckstein, Claire Kedjidjian, Christopher Singleton, Katherine Bolyn, Mateo Moreno
Press Representative - Keith Sherman and Associates
Digital Marketing - Think Big Picture, LLC
Casting by MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS, INC. Arnold J. Mungioli, CSA
Frankie Manuel Morán, Casting Assistant Tess R. Myers, Casting Assistant
Production Management - Stewart Productions
Company Management/CSM - Christopher Singleton
Stage Manager - Lila Mullins
Assistant Stage Manager - Becky Abramowitz
Associate Lighting Designer - Matthew Weisgable
Puppet Wrangler - Chris Palmieri
Technical Director - Michael Cahill
Sound/Video Operator - Joe Costable
Touring Wardrobe - Eric Montesa
Stitcher - Sharné van Ryneveld Nel
Dance Captain - Emily Preis
Executive Producer - Heather Henson
Associate Producer - Brenna Ross
Director of Education - Tsering Choedron
Education Coordinator - Tecumseh Ceaser
Facilities Manager & Programs Associate - Jessica Simon
Large Turtle - Mary Brehmer
Toddler Crane - Mari Tobita
Adult and Adolescent Cranes - Tim Lagasse & Anney Ozar
Deer - Sierra Schoening
Bison - Liz Hara
Coyote - Rollie Krewson
Coyote Mask and Overlay - Emily DeCola
Mishibizhiw - Sal Denaro & James Wojtal
Original Large Snake - Aaron Hartnett & Nicholas Mahon
Flock of Cranes - Anney Ozar & Jim Kroupa
Additional Fabricators - David Bizarro, Liz Cherry, John Cody, Joel Gennari, Casey Miller, Ashley Rose Horton, Kate Rusek, Jessica Simon, Christopher Soprano, Dave Szarejko, and Whitney Thayne
Ajijaak on Turtle Island
is a professional production employing members
of Actors' Equity Association.
Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
