Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Frank Henry Kaash Katasse, is an Alaska Native from the Tlingít clan Tsaagweidí. Frank is an award winning actor, director, producer, improviser, educator, and playwright. Frank received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Hawai’i: Mānoa. Frank served as the Board President of Juneau Douglas Little Theatre from 2013-2019, and has been involved with Perseverance Theatre (PT) since the fall of 2008. His body of work at PT includes World Premieres of Alaska Native themed plays, Battles of Fire and Water, Cedar House, Reincarnation of Stories, Defenders of Alaska Native Country, Our Voices Will Be Heard, William, INC, and Whale Song. Other PT productions include The Government Inspector, The Skin of our Teeth, Marisol (2nd Stage), Vashon (Directed on 2nd Stage)...

Frank Henry Kaash Katasse, is an Alaska Native from the Tlingít clan Tsaagweidí. Frank is an award winning actor, director, producer, improviser, educator, and playwright. Frank received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Hawai’i: Mānoa. Frank served as the Board President of Juneau Douglas Little Theatre from 2013-2019, and has been involved with Perseverance Theatre (PT) since the fall of 2008. His body of work at PT includes World Premieres of Alaska Native themed plays, Battles of Fire and Water, Cedar House, Reincarnation of Stories, Defenders of Alaska Native Country, Our Voices Will Be Heard, William, INC, and Whale Song. Other PT productions include The Government Inspector, The Skin of our Teeth, Marisol (2nd Stage), Vashon (Directed on 2nd Stage), Oklahoma!, Chicago, Treadwell Gold, and Our Town. In the spring of 2017, PT produced (along with Native Voices at the Autry and La Jolla Playhouse) the world premiere of Katasse’s play They Don’t Talk Back. In 2018 Frank was the Playwright in Residence for La Jolla Playhouse and was selected to be part of Perseverance Theatre's Playwright Circle.

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Scripts

Once Upon a Tide

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Cast Size
5
Genre
drama

In Once Upon a Tide, three Tlingit siblings return home to attend the services of their father. As they are of the opposite moiety, they must guard the body the night before it is buried to protect it from evil spirits and usher it safely to the afterlife. The three sit on the dock in front of the rec center where the body of their father is being held until morning, reflecting on his complicated past and...

In Once Upon a Tide, three Tlingit siblings return home to attend the services of their father. As they are of the opposite moiety, they must guard the body the night before it is buried to protect it from evil spirits and usher it safely to the afterlife. The three sit on the dock in front of the rec center where the body of their father is being held until morning, reflecting on his complicated past and wondering what his passing means for the future of their family.”

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Retention: An Academic Pentathlon

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Cast Size
7—18
Genre
comedy,
young audiences

Theatre for Young Audience: "Retention: An Academic Pentathlon" is a new comedy by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse . It's about four middle schoolers stuck with their suddenly, and suspiciously, rule-crazy Gen-X/Millennial teachers. With indefinite detention on the line, they're forced into a generational Academic Pentathlon that will decide everything. This is Breakfast Club meets The Faculty meets internet brain-rot...

Theatre for Young Audience: "Retention: An Academic Pentathlon" is a new comedy by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse . It's about four middle schoolers stuck with their suddenly, and suspiciously, rule-crazy Gen-X/Millennial teachers. With indefinite detention on the line, they're forced into a generational Academic Pentathlon that will decide everything. This is Breakfast Club meets The Faculty meets internet brain-rot play explores what happens when curiosity and connection are replaced by competition.

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They Don't Talk Back

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Cast Size
5—6
Genre
drama,
melodrama

In They Don’t Talk Back, a troubled teen from a broken home receives the culture shock of a lifetime when he is sent to live and work with his Tlingit grandparents in a remote fishing village in Alaska. This funny, heartfelt exploration of the meaning of family and life emerges in a contemporary coming-of-age story.

In They Don’t Talk Back, a troubled teen from a broken home receives the culture shock of a lifetime when he is sent to live and work with his Tlingit grandparents in a remote fishing village in Alaska. This funny, heartfelt exploration of the meaning of family and life emerges in a contemporary coming-of-age story.

Where the Summit Meets the Stars

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Cast Size
4—5
Genre
drama,
mystery/thriller

A young Tlingit woman contemplates life and death at the birth of her own daughter only to discover her past has made her stronger than she knew.

A young Tlingit woman contemplates life and death at the birth of her own daughter only to discover her past has made her stronger than she knew.

The Spirit of the Valley

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

1
Cast Size
6—10
Genre
adventure,
mystery/thriller,
young audiences

A pair of young Tlingit twins wake to an adventure and try to figure out why and where their fish camp cabin has gone.

A pair of young Tlingit twins wake to an adventure and try to figure out why and where their fish camp cabin has gone.

Reeling

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

Cast Size
3
Genre
adventure,
drama

Two Tlingit cousins undertake a dangerous canoe trip to fulfill their uncle’s dying wish in Reeling.

Two Tlingit cousins undertake a dangerous canoe trip to fulfill their uncle’s dying wish in Reeling.

Bear in Stream

by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse

1
Cast Size
2
Genre
drama

An Tlingit uncle teaches his nephew to appreciate the resilience of salmon.

An Tlingit uncle teaches his nephew to appreciate the resilience of salmon.