New artistic director has experience with SNTC

The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company is moving in a new direction with artistic director Curtis Peeteetuce.  
Peeteetuce has been involved with SNTC for the last 10 years and is excited for the opportunity to be artistic director of a theatre company that has been a large part of his life for as long as he can remember.

Peeteetuce, from Beardys and Okemasis First Nation, is a graduate of the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College with a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies. He started with SNTC in 2001 with their Circle of Voices Program. Since then, Peeteetuce’s involvement has spanned mentor, facilitator, coordinator and he has written or co-written every episode of SNTC’s popular Rez Christmas series and directed/acted in many of those productions.

Peeteetuce has also had the opportunity to work alongside Aboriginal professionals like the late Gordon Tootoosis and Tantoo Cardinal.

“Through these 10 years, I have had extensive training experience, which has allowed me to establish a number of partnerships and compile many resources in the local community,” said Peeteetuce.

 “On behalf of the SNTC Board of Directors, Curtis’ creativity and commitment to developing projects that leave his audiences educated, entertained and empowered, showcase the unique leadership that Curtis will bring to SNTC,” stated the news release announcing Peeteetuce’s new position.

With his current network and name in the community, Peeteetuce wishes to continue to celebrate Aboriginal language, culture and history through Aboriginal theatre programming.  He hopes to do this by incorporating Aboriginal culture through comedy, drama, music and dance theatre that celebrates each genre through story telling.

“A revamped youth summer program, a youth tour, a new rez Christmas story and a moving professional production for early 2012,” are some of the immediate changes Peeteetuce is working on.

“Actors in general continue to subsist on acting and making this their career aspiration.  However, theatre professionals should broaden their skill range and look into opportunities like being a playwright, director or a producer,” said Peeteetuce.

Peeteetuce is eager to continue enhancing programming for SNTC and is looking to push forward with the 10 years of experience he has gained through SNTC.