MPA presents west coast Premiere of Will Shephard's Coyote Tales
CSUMB’s Department of Music and Performing Arts is pleased to announce the West Coast Premiere of faculty member Will Shephard’s play, Coyote Tales. Premiering November 4, 5, and 11, 12 at the CSUMB Meeting House. The play, performed in the fast-moving style of commedia dell’arte with masked characters, presents a highly energetic, entertaining, yet penetrating view of the clash between two cultures: Native American peoples of the 
Northwest Plateau region (what is now eastern Washington and northern Idaho) and the tide of Anglo-Europeans who invaded their lands in the name of “Manifest Destiny,” changing their lives forever.
Native American mythical creatures such as Coyote, Magpie, Buffalo, and Shadow Warrior humorously punctuate the serious historical conflict between the U.S. Government and a non-treaty band of the Nez Perce tribe. What followed was the Nez Perce War of 1877, fought during a 1500 mile trek across Washington, Idaho, and Montana, between the U.S. Army and the Nez Perce, concluding with the famous words of Chief Joseph, “I will fight no more forever.”
But is that really the end of the story? Not according to the mythical character, Coyote, a trickster by nature. It seems that, once again, the human beings face the potential of a calamity of their own doing, and the consequences could be disastrous. Will the human beings survive? Can the ultimate catastrophe be avoided? Only Coyote can tell.
Coyote Tales is performed by a small cast of masked actors in front of a simple curtain with minimal props and scenery and is recommended for mature audiences. All music and sound effects for the performance are performed “live” by the actors.
Performances will be given November 4,5 and 11,12 at 7:30 PM in building 98, “The Meeting House,” on the corner of General Jim Moore and Divarty Street on the CSUMB campus. No reservations are necessary. Admission and parking is free, on a “first come, first served” basis, but seating is limited to approximately 70 audience members.
100 Campus Center
