Where We Belong Resource Guide
From Folger Shakespeare Library and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Welcome to the Resource Guide for Where We Belong by Madeline Sayet. This is a collaborative, living document that highlights a set of humanities opportunities surrounding the performance. It aims to support the producing partners for the national tour and to inspire audience engagement.
Talkback with Madeline Sayet and Michael Witmore
Madeline Sayet and Folger Shakespeare Library Director Michael Witmore explore questions surrounding language raised in Where We Belong, including origins, development, influence, and preservation of language in the written and spoken forms. This conversation was recorded live in July 2021.
Furthering the Conversation: Connecting the Personal and Legal Perspectives on Repatriation
This recorded panel discussion, inspired by Where We Belong, speaks to the current state of museum repatriation, both internationally and domestically. Featuring experts in the field, Jacquetta “Jackie” Swift (National Museum of the American Indian) and Alexander Herman (Institute of Art and Law) with guest moderator Alina Scott (Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Texas at Austin) the conversation was recorded live in July 2021.
Shakespeare Unlimited: Episode 170
In her play Where We Belong, Mohegan director, playwright, and performer Madeline Sayet recalls her 2015 journey to the UK to pursue the PhD in Shakespeare that she never ended up getting. The play, now on tour produced by Woolly Mammoth Theater Company in association with the Folger Shakespeare Library, explains why she left the degree behind and explores what it means to belong in a complicated world. Sayet talks about growing up Mohegan in Connecticut and her evolving relationship with Shakespeare today.
Shakespeare Lightning Round
Madeline Sayet joins Folger Social Media and Communications Manager Ben Lauer in this Instagram Shakespeare Lightning Round where Madeline answers 30 lightning-fast questions about her favorite—and least favorite—things about Shakespeare.
Acknowledging Our Past, In This Very Place
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival seeks to honor Indigenous Peoples and showcase their sovereign artistry in our productions onstage and off. Benefitting from Oregon’s history of violence and genocide against Native communities, OSF acknowledges that, as an organization, we have fallen short of honoring Indigenous Peoples—especially with stereotypical depictions of Native people on our stages and inappropriate and insensitive casting of Indigenous characters, and not listening to past offerings from Native community leaders. While it is convenient to excuse such violations as being “of a different time,” we recognize that the harm done to Native communities by the ignorance, carelessness, and racism of this institution is very real and damaging. Those present at OSF take responsibility and offer deep apologies for the artistic endeavors that may have caused damage. We pledge to “do better” by confronting these harms and making amends. We don’t know how to best make these amends, and welcome any and all dialogue toward healing and reconciliation.
Related Viewing & Reading
Shakespeare and Indigeneity: A Dialogue with Natalie Diaz, Scott M Stevens, and Madeline Sayet
Anti-Racist Shakespeare: The Tempest Shakespeare's Globe, Madeline Sayet and Scott M Stevens
Indigenous London: Native Travellers at the Heart of Empire by Coll Thrush
Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England, Edited by Siobhan Senier
Medicine Trail: The Life and Lessons of Gladys Tantaquidgeon by Melissa Jayne Fawcett
Savage Kin: Indigenous Informants and American Anthropologists by Margaret M. Bruchac
"Returning Heritage" Online News Database
National Museum of the American Indian recent repatriation efforts
Shakespeare Unlimited: Shakespeare in Swahililand: Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong’o and Edward Wilson-Lee discuss Shakespeare and colonialism in East Africa.
The Tempest. Read Shakespeare's play with The Folger Shakespeare.
Strange Shakespeare: Transforming The Tempest, classifying Caliban: Shakespeare and Beyond blog—Kristina Straub writes about 17th- and 18th-century ideas about Caliban.
Restitution by Alexander Herman
And don’t miss the Where We Belong playlist!
Did you notice the pre-show music on your way in to the theatre? It’s a specially compiled soundtrack of contemporary Native artists, chosen specifically for Where We Belong. Take that feeling home by listening to this special Where We Belong playlist on Spotify, hosted by our friends at the Public Theater. If you don't already have a Spotify account, it’s easy to sign up for free.