2008 Woodie Awards
Sarris on stage
Janisha Harris
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Santa Rosa native Greg Sarris is coming to Sonoma State University to watch two of his newest short stories come to life.
The Word for Word Theatre Company will be adapting two of Sarris' works into stage productions. Founded in 1993 by Susan Harloe and JoAnne Winter, Word for Word is a company well known for it's impressive adaptations.
The two stories being performed are "When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake" and the "Ancestor."
Sarris, a well-established novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, was a college professor at UCLA for 10 years, crafting his stories from real life experiences. Sarris' stories tend to focus on Native American life in contemporary society. In his short, "When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake," the main characters Tom Smith and Big Jose are brawling over magic in San Francisco.
"Ancestor" is a story about 15 year old R.D. who's grandmother passes away. When his mother isn't able to care for him, he uses Indian folklore to get him through his hard times.
Sarris has written numerous novels on Native American culture. His ability to relate the ancient Native American folklore to our lives today, allows for a greater fan base. Many readers, young and old, have enjoyed his novels.
Yet Sarris was not always aware of his heritage, knowing nothing about his background when he was adopted by his foster parents. Sarris eventually set out to find his parents, and other family, the details of which are chronicled in his book "Mabel McKay."
Upon meeting with his grandfather, Sarris discovered his heritage stems from a variety of different races, including Filipino, Indian, and Coast Miwok.
From there it seems he's embraced his Indian heritage.
After his schooling Sarris became involved in the Federated Coast Miwok Tribe, which was renamed the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR), and given recognition by congress and President Clinton in 2000, permitting the tribe to be recognized as a federal tribe. Sarris sits as the chairman of this organization.
His reputation precedes him, as according to metroactive.com, "Sarris--who is chairman of the Federated Coast Miwok Tribe--is also a master of the subtle nuances of racial politics. White racism stalks his characters like a hungry ghost, but tension over skin color and 'Indianness' also flares up frequently within the novel's Indian community."
The author does a powerful and convincing job of portraying the complexities of this tragic situation."
The FIGR website states Sarris made it possible for the organization to become a tribe. Sarris also acts as the chairman of the Native American Studies department at SSU.
His stories will be performed on May 3 at 2 p.m. in Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall. Admission for this event is free.
After the performance there will be a question answer forum with Sarris, conducted by Professor Elizabeth C. Martinez. For more information call (707)-664-2382 or visit www.sonoma.edu/as/asp.
The Word for Word Theatre Company will be adapting two of Sarris' works into stage productions. Founded in 1993 by Susan Harloe and JoAnne Winter, Word for Word is a company well known for it's impressive adaptations.
The two stories being performed are "When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake" and the "Ancestor."
Sarris, a well-established novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, was a college professor at UCLA for 10 years, crafting his stories from real life experiences. Sarris' stories tend to focus on Native American life in contemporary society. In his short, "When Tom Smith Caused the 1906 Earthquake," the main characters Tom Smith and Big Jose are brawling over magic in San Francisco.
"Ancestor" is a story about 15 year old R.D. who's grandmother passes away. When his mother isn't able to care for him, he uses Indian folklore to get him through his hard times.
Sarris has written numerous novels on Native American culture. His ability to relate the ancient Native American folklore to our lives today, allows for a greater fan base. Many readers, young and old, have enjoyed his novels.
Yet Sarris was not always aware of his heritage, knowing nothing about his background when he was adopted by his foster parents. Sarris eventually set out to find his parents, and other family, the details of which are chronicled in his book "Mabel McKay."
Upon meeting with his grandfather, Sarris discovered his heritage stems from a variety of different races, including Filipino, Indian, and Coast Miwok.
From there it seems he's embraced his Indian heritage.
After his schooling Sarris became involved in the Federated Coast Miwok Tribe, which was renamed the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR), and given recognition by congress and President Clinton in 2000, permitting the tribe to be recognized as a federal tribe. Sarris sits as the chairman of this organization.
His reputation precedes him, as according to metroactive.com, "Sarris--who is chairman of the Federated Coast Miwok Tribe--is also a master of the subtle nuances of racial politics. White racism stalks his characters like a hungry ghost, but tension over skin color and 'Indianness' also flares up frequently within the novel's Indian community."
The author does a powerful and convincing job of portraying the complexities of this tragic situation."
The FIGR website states Sarris made it possible for the organization to become a tribe. Sarris also acts as the chairman of the Native American Studies department at SSU.
His stories will be performed on May 3 at 2 p.m. in Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall. Admission for this event is free.
After the performance there will be a question answer forum with Sarris, conducted by Professor Elizabeth C. Martinez. For more information call (707)-664-2382 or visit www.sonoma.edu/as/asp.
Be the first to comment on this story