imperial nightmare
based upon George Washington Parke Custis' Pocahontas, or The Settlers of Virginia
11m, 4f, +chorus
Interior/Exterior
The classic story of Pocahontas as seen through contemporary eyes, Cry of the Native Children can be produced as a historical period piece or with very modern elements, such as black/strobe lighting, rock music underscore, and avant-garde dance. Rather than portraying any group as good or evil, both the English (headed by Captain John Smith) and the Natives (headed by the Powhatan Wahunsenacawh) are equally wrong in their attempts to gain ground in our nation's first story of culture-clash.
Cry of the Native Children, an imperial nightmare based upon George Washington Parke Custis' Pocahontas, or The Settlers of Virginia, benefited from a developmental workshop and reading February 5-6, 2010 at the PVHS Fine Arts Center Auditorium in Pinson, Alabama. It was directed by Ryan C. Tittle, with lighting design by Joseph Sessions, sound design by Josh Weaver, original music by the author, graphic design by Stephanie Davis, and the stage directions read by Cory T. Bridges. The stage manager and moderator was Kaci Richardson. The cast was as follows:
| Jonathan Dick as | David Barclay |
| Jessica Johnson as | Amunote (Pocahontas) |
| James A. Crocker as | Matacoran |
| Lita Peer as | Mantea |
| Eric E. Marable, Jr. as | John Rolfe |
| Skyler King as | Captain John Smith |
| Samantha Richardson as | Omaya |
| Erik Segura as | Powhatan Wahunsenacawh |
The play, then, had its World Premiere February 10, 2011 at the PVHS Fine Arts Center Auditorium. It was directed by Ryan C. Tittle, with scenic design by Matt Allison, lighting design by Parker Stripling, sound design by Nathan Fultz, original music by Justin McElroy, choreography by Lori Watwood, fight choreography by R. Daniel Walker, and graphic design by Chris Screws. The Stage Manager was Josh Dickey. The cast was as follows:
| Chris Sharpe as | Captain John Smith |
| Hunter Goode as | Lieutenant George Percy |
| Rick Maze as | John Rolfe |
| Frank Anella as | Thomas West |
| Josh Weaver as | David Barclay |
| Rob Mardis as | Hugo DeRedmond |
| Eric Borders as | Powhatan Wahunsenacawh |
| James A. Crocker as | Matacoran |
| Miguel Mercado as | Selictaz |
| Jordan Belcher as | Namontac |
| Trent Coleman as | Opechancanough |
| Kaitlyn Griffin as | Amunote (Pocahontas) |
| Ellen Scott as | Omaya |
| Jazmin Brunson as | Mantea |
| Shelby Mardis as | Yaamaayden |
| Ensemble of Native Women | Brandi Hart, Ammiel Ivy, Olivia O'Dell, Destiny Sims, and Hayley Townley |
This production was subsequently presented at the 2011 Alabama Thespians Conference at Randolph High School in Huntsville, Alabama on February 27, 2011.