The Tribes Project ­ A student forum for frank and dramatic exploration of race, performing on Monday, April 16 at the Corvallis Oddfellows Hall
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Above: Photos from the April 2000 Tribes Project performance in Philomath, Oregon

When a group of high schools students put their honest energy into challenging and questioning our society's racial attitudes and behavior, the results are provocative. This is the Tribes Project, a multicultural acting troupe performing on Monday, April 16 at 7PM at the Corvallis Oddfellows Hall on Second Avenue. Tickets are available at Grassroots Bookstore, for a donation of $5/adult, $3/student.

Exploring the theme "Rising Above Racism", the Seattle-based Tribes Project employs hard-hitting dialogue, world music, choreography and improv to present a powerful, emotionally engaging dramatic performance. The performance is cosponsored by the Corvallis High School Multicultural Club and the Youth Nonviolence Education Project of the Ahimsa Sanctuary Foundation.

"We are excited to provide this opportunity for raising the awareness of multicultural issues in Corvallis," said Stephen Liff-Anderson, Nonviolence Education Coordinator. "Many of us believe our community is untouched by racial discrimination and violence." Liff-Anderson continued. "Yet just a few weeks ago, a young Latino man was harassed on the OSU campus, and last fall a homeless Latino man was murdered downtown."

The Tribes Project is currently in its fifth season, this year comprising of a group from Renton High School. Through a ten-week process of interactive rehearsal and discussion, aided by guest speakers (Race Scholars), the Tribes cast creates a performance that is definitively unique, yet universal. Performances have consistently engaged and evoked tremendous response from audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

"The Tribes Project was created to provide a national model for discussing and presenting sensitive issues of race through the eyes and ears of young people who are often left without a forum for truthful interaction," said Tribes director J. Paul Preseault. "This is the most diverse tour in the Tribes Project history, giving us a very special opportunity to discuss issues which affect and impact most of our communities."

"We're excited that so many student and community organizations have chosen to host our performances this season," Preseault continued, noting the Tribes Project is scheduled to perform in several cities is Washington and Canada and for the Makah Nation. Over the past four years Tribes performances have been presented to over 12,000 people.

THE TRIBES PROJECT
A Brief History

Director J. Paul Presault originated the Tribes Project concept in the wake of the 1993 Los Angeles riots resulting from the exposure of police actions against Rodney King. The idea: bring young people of many races together to voice their ideas about race relations using theatre as the primary medium. Nine students from Seattle's Garfield High School accepted this initial challenge and created an original performance which set the tone for the Tribes future. Rebecca Jones of the Capitol Hill Times wrote: "for anyone who thinks that teens are awash in a sea of multicultural bliss, a group of Garfield students are about to shatter your illusion."

Four years later, after completing his master's degree in educational theatre from NYU, Presault returned to Seattle to find that high schools were continuing to experience increasing racial divides and declining cross-racial relationships. The "Tribes" name originated from an observation that during break and lunch times, students practiced a kind of self-segregation, naturally migrating into "race-tribes," more than 30 years after the Civil Rights Movement had fully integrated the nation and the schools.

Ballard High School became the first Tribes Project laboratory, where race relations had severely deteriorated following a race oriented drive-by shooting outside the school. Ballard students needed to express their fears and anger and the Tribes Project provided a forum for expression. The 11 Ballard High School members of Tribes 97 brought forward a complex mix of the celebration and sadness of race relations in America today.

David Rafferty, an audience member, wrote a letter to the cast, effectively capturing the general audience response: "...your performance effected me very profoundly. I was both moved and edified by the many sides of racism, sexism and other social issues presented so authentically. The acting and dances produced numerous cathartic effects. At times I felt saddened, entertained, frustrated and awed."

Tribes 98 was hosted by Nathan Hale High School, one of Seattle's most diverse schools. The 13 member Nathan Hale cast reflected an incredible rainbow of ethnicities, including some international and ESL students, as well as a number of biracial students. This was a cast that fully represented the changing demographics of our social landscape. Their performances, seen by over 3,700 people throughout Washington, delivered a raw and satiric punch that had audiences laughing while compelling them to examine their own biases.

Many in the 98 cast faced their own prejudices for the first time, exemplifying the challenges and rewards of working within a true multicultural environment. As stated by Tribes 98 cast member Karlee Dalan: "To say this has impacted my life would be an understatement. I've definitely learned to confront the biases I was so sure about when I started this."

The 1999 Tribes Project hosted by Garfield High School was presented to over 4,800 people statewide. The Garfield project occurred at a time when the entire nation was being forced to face the realities of youth violence being perpetrated by those who had been overcome by their differences and inability to "fit in." The performances dug deeply into the roots of prejudice and misunderstanding.

Again, audience response was tremendous, including three days of standing-room-only performances at the Intiman Theatre during Folklife Festival. "Since the performance, I've been viewing teens with a different lens, one with more respect for their abilities and their special place in society. I have no doubt that these kids will become - have become - far better citizens of the world as a result of this experience. Powerful stuff!" said Kevin C. Jones, audience member.

THE TRIBES PROJECT RACE SCHOLARS

A significant dimension of the Tribes experience is the Race Scholars program. Members of our local community are invited to share their experiences and insight with Tribes students. These conversations help students gain a better understanding of global race issues as well as providing intimate opportunities to understand how elders have dealt with and risen above racism that exists in our community. The Tribes 2000 Race Scholar speakers at Chief Sealth High School included:

Feb 28th: Roberto Maestas ­ Founder/Executive Director El Centro de la Raza
Born in New Mexico, Roberto Maestas came to Washington State as a migrant farm worker. A former high school drop-out for economic reasons, he later became one of the first Chicano students to graduatefrom the University of Washington. Founder of El Centro de la Raza, Mr. Maestas has been its Executive Director since 1973. El Centro de la Raza has provided vital social and emergency services to over one half million low income persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds and has maintained cultural and educational exchanges with many countries in Latin America. Roberto has done extensive writing, lecturing, and community action in the struggle for social, environmental and economic justice.

March 2: Bob Santos ­ Region X Director HUD
Before his appointment by President Clinton to head the Northwest/Alaska Housing and Urban Development Office, (HUD) Bob Santos spent three decades working in the International District of Seattle. During this period he coordinated an effort to preserve and develop the International District as a model for an urban village. Working with property owners, shopkeepers, activists and low income residents, he helped structure a community development plan that highlighted decent, safe, affordable housing. Today the International District is considered the Asian Cultural Center of the Pacific Northwest.

March 6: Ron Sims ­ Metropolitan King County Executive
Mr. Sims possesses a proven track record of regional leadership. Having served eleven years on the King County Council and rated "outstanding" by The Municipal League of King County, Sims has been a tireless advocate and volunteer for children, the poor and the underprivileged. Sims has served as a lay minister in the Operation Nightwatch program for several years, coached inner-city youth sports teams, tutored in Seattle's Meany Middle School and Southshore Middle School and has sponsored the Paul Robeson Student Athlete Award program for the past ten years.

March 13: James Gregory ­ University of Washington History Professor
A History Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley, James Gregory has many published works, and has won an assortment of awards and fellowships for his work in history, including the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for University Teachers. Currently, Gregory teaches graduate and undergraduate courses and seminars ranging from American Labor History and American Political Cultures to Alternative Americas and Race and Ethnicity in the American Experience.

March 16: Pynaekot Jeannette Allen ­ Nez Pearce Nation
Nez Perce Nation member and Great Grand Niece to Chief Joseph, Ms. Allen
is a political science and drama graduate of the University of Washington. Allen is a founding member of First Nations, a UW student group, that represents Native American undergraduates. She has served as a Native American recruiter for the UW's Educational Opportunity Program, traveling and speaking throughout the state to Native American youth. Allen currently serves on the People's Lodge Advisory Board at United Indians of All Tribes.