COCHISE ANDERSON

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M. COCHISE ANDERSON
POET AND PLAYWRIGHT

info@cochise-okcha-a.com * 240-486-6863

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Click Here to view and print the play, "Braided Lives"

Click Here to view and print the play, "The Education of Benjamin Franklin"

Click Here to view and print the play, "The Only Good Poet Is A Read Poet"

PRAISE FOR "BRAIDED LIVES"

Cochise Andersons play, "Braided Lives" is a celebration of life, forgiveness understanding endurance and love. It is about our hopes dreams aspirations triumphs. The depth and continuity of "Braided Lives" is very comforting and reassuring, because it respects and honors all that we have lived though and survived in past generations and all of those generations yet to come. It is important for our self-esteem individually and collectively as Native American men and women to have a positive outlook and perspective from which we draw the experiences that we weave in our lives, in the lives of our families, and in our community. "Braided Lives" was written by the characters who simply came to life to speak for those of us who could not. It is eloquent, elegant, and in your face.

Act I is set in 1856 Bloomington, MN. Beautiful, defiant and resilient is Checkered Cloud, a Dakota medicine woman, who meets a preachers wife, Agnes. An unusual friendship ensues as both women begin to share their experiences of love and loss. Checkered Clouds daughter, Wenona attends the Maiden feast because she is now of age for marriage. Jealous and cruel Red Cloud/Double Face clearly show us that we cannot always trust appearances, because all that glitters is not gold. Harpstenahs meddling and treachery causes Wenona and White Buffalo and their families to suffer a great loss. In spite of everything Checkered Cloud remains the spiritual strength for her family. She radiates truth and hope.

Act II returns us to current day with all its contrasts and similarities. We join Clarissa, a Dakota woman, and Gracie, a white American woman in Minneapolis, MN. Clarissa and Gracie have been "friends for life" since they met at South High. Through Gracies friendship of twenty years, the antics of Cora and Chaske with Stanley, and the uncertain future with Floyd, Clarissa and Gracie show us how we persevere against the odds because these are our kids. The family struggles against poverty, gangs, divorce politics, and tragedy. We peer into the pressure through the eyes of our youth as we witness the wrath of Chaskes rap. Continuously, Clarissas strength and determination and Gracies compassion and devotion remind us of our power to overcome all the many fears and obstacles that come our way.

Last fall, "Braided Lives" received a reading at the Great American History Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. It is essential that "Braided Lives" be brought to more communities. In it children will begin to see just how much we sacrifice to care for them and will develop a stronger sense of just how much we value them and protect them from harms way. Men of all ages will see themselves as three dimensional human beings who make choices as complicated as life itself. And women will rejoice that finally, their story has been told. The play, "Braided Lives" does not preach or chastise, instead it holds up a mirror as we take something away that is rightfully sacred and ours.

PRAISE FOR "THE EDUCATION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN"

Romeo and Juliet meet at boarding school, a love story? Not quite that simple. Cochise Andersons play, "The Education of Benjamin Franklin" is the story of a young mans adolescent journey through acceptance, love, betrayal and pain as he is welcomed into the home of an American family and befriends their son and daughter, Edward and Victoria. It is the summer of 1920. The location is Lawrence, Kansas. Benjamin has been away from his father and grandfather for four years while attending school for education. This summer is different because Benjamin gets to spend the summer with a new family. Although, homesick for life with his father and grandfather, young Benjamin is pleased with his new private bedroom, abundant food supply, and other luxuries that this American family takes for granted. Benjamin is full of life and wonderful expectations as he develops a tempestuous relationship with Edward and falls in love with Victoria. Through his talent and charisma, Benjamin becomes a hit for the local baseball team and seems to be adjusting nicely to his new family and surrounding. However, as conflict and jealousy quickly arise, Benjamin wrestles with some tough decisions and brutal lessons as he navigates the social hypocrisy, racism, and limitation of his new environment. Having endured the "civilizing of the Indian" schools as did his father and grandfather, Benjamin is determined to keep his traditional ways like his grandfather while making a better way of life for himself like his father. It is a very powerful story imparting the value of balance dignity and splendor.

"THE EDUCATION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN," was selected for the JEROME FELLOWSHIP in 1999 for Playwriting in conjunction with the Playwrights' Center of Minneapolis, MN.

PRAISE FOR "THE ONLY GOOD POET IS A READ POET"

Cochise Andersons one-man play, "The Only Good Poet Is A Read Poet" piece features poetry over Native American flute, rattles and drums along with elements of rock, folk, country, and blues. Voyage through Native America, past and present, where you will meet a multitude of memorable characters. Meet medicine men, Ancient One and Elder, and warriors Weatherford who has lost all his men in battle; and Chula Homa (The Red Fox) who is forced to leave his Chickasaw homeland on the long journey west. See modern-day warriors, Rupert Sweetwater, a 55 year old homeless Vietnam veteran still fighting the war; and Manny Thom, a 52 year old civil rights activist reflects on how our struggles have changed and remained the same. Enthusiastic young warriors Billy Skye, a 20 yr old grass dancer/ temp janitor/ maintenance engineer, and Glen Looks Twice, an 18 yr old college student in sunny California, await new opportunities and experiences. As diverse and distinct as each is in his own right, all share and common bond of loyalty to themselves, their families, and their communities. They define who they are and they know who they are. They are valued for their integrity and protection.

"THE ONLY GOOD POET IS A READ POET was selected for the BUSH ARTIST FELLOWSHIP in 2002 for Performance Art-Storytelling; chosen by a national panel, Saint Paul, MN. The BAF, supports artists whose work reflects diverse geographic, racial and aesthetic communities.

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2005 June-October
Commissioned by The Great American History Theatre to write the second act of "BRAIDED LIVES". Act Two is set in the present day and follows the friendship of two Minnesota women, one White, one Native American. In October 2005, the full length play "BRAIDED LIVES" will receive its first staged reading as part of the Raw Stages Festival at the Great American History Theatre in St. Paul, MN. http://www.historytheatre.com/season/raw_stages.asp

2004 November
World Premiere of "THE KEMOSABE THERAPY" at Pangea World Theatre in Minneapolis, MN as part of the Indigenous Voices Theatre Series. Interweaving spoken word with traditional Native American music and contemporary beats, Cochise carries the old tradition into a new experience.

2004 November
“2704: SEVEN GENERATIONS INTO THE FUTURE” an experimental multi-media performance art piece written and performed by ensemble. Sponsored by Pangea World Theatre as part of The Bridges project.

2002 May
Selected for the BUSH ARTIST FELLOWSHIP for Performance Art-Storytelling; chosen by a national panel, Saint Paul, MN. The BAF supports artists whose work reflects diverse geographic, racial and aesthetic communities. Work submitted was "THE ONLY GOOD POET IS A READ POET."

2002 March
Guest Speaker and Performer for the Oklahoma JOM Indian Education Conference. Solo performance piece was “THE ONLY GOOD POET IS A READ POET.”

2000 May
World Premiere of "THE ONLY GOOD POET IS A READ POET" presented at the Playwright's Center. Directed by Dipankar Mukerjee of Pangea World Theatre.

1999 January
Selected for the JEROME FELLOWSHIP for Playwriting in conjunction with the Playwrights' Center of Minneapolis, MN for first full length play, "THE EDUCATION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN," about the Native American boarding school experience in the U.S during the early 1900's.

1997 July
Commissioned by The Bloomington Arts Center to write an educational play, "BRAIDED LIVES," about the Dakotah conflict in Minnesota through the eyes of two women, one White, one Native American. Premiered September 1997 at the River Rendezvous, Bloomington, MN.

1993 October
Collaboration with Ping Chong & Company for installation entitled "UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS." Presented at the Artist Space, NYC. Original performance piece written by company. Directed by Ping Chong.

1993 April
World Premiere of "IN THE SPIRIT", by CHUKA LOKOLI (meaning Community in Chickasaw/Choctaw), Native American Theatre Ensemble. Presented at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC. Original one-act play written by ensemble and Playwright Associate, Edward Allan Baker. Directed by Susann Brinkley. CHUKA LOKOLI Founding member and Artistic Director Cochise Anderson.