Indian Giver

by Marty Strenczewilk

A young Native woman is grappling with a recent loss in her family. A white empty-nester is desperate to atone for a mistake in her past. The two meet by chance and agree to build a Native focused charity together. As the company grows in power and influence, decisions are forced that conflict with the underlying purpose of their work. As everything comes to a head, the women are forced to confront the decisions...

A young Native woman is grappling with a recent loss in her family. A white empty-nester is desperate to atone for a mistake in her past. The two meet by chance and agree to build a Native focused charity together. As the company grows in power and influence, decisions are forced that conflict with the underlying purpose of their work. As everything comes to a head, the women are forced to confront the decisions they’ve made and the unintended consequences to the people they intended to help.

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Indian Giver

Character Information

Skin color is not a focus in this play and as such, neither character should be cast based on how "light" or "dark" they are.
  • Claire
    Very liberal. Her kids have grown up and moved on. She’s very into her causes. She really means well, she’s not just doing this to tell her friends about it at brunch. She’s always lived in big cities and doesn’t have real perspective about what an Indian is or where they come from
    40's-50's
    White
    Female identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Jodi
    American Indian, skin color isn't important. Tribe is not mentioned, and shouldn’t be made clear to the audience. She didn't grow up inside her culture. After a recent tragedy she finds herself motivated to learn her culture and "help" in whatever way that she can.
    late 20's to early 30's
    Native American (Any Tribe)
    Female identifying
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

Awards

  • Local Lab
    Local Theater Company
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • Boiler Room Series
    Keegan Theatre
    Finalist
    2023