Misdemeanor Dream in South Dakota

Production image for Misdemeanor Dream

After several weeks of rehearsals and prep, Spiderwoman Theater’s Misdemeanor Dream is hitting the stage in South Dakota! From February 20 – 24, the company will be at the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion, presenting a series of workshops in addition to two evening performances on Friday and Saturday in the campus’s Knutson Theatre. South Dakota is the first of three stops on Spiderwoman’s three-week midwest tour.

Misdemeanor Dream is a multi-generational, multi-disciplinary theatre project which brings together Indigenous performers, designers, and cultural practitioners from communities across Turtle Island. Weaving uncomfortable conversations with irreverent humour, it sheds light on personal and community stories of chaos and reclamation, of tricksters and spirits, of journeys through the star worlds and the between worlds.

Aanmitaagzi has been working on this project with Spiderwoman since the beginning, and our Co-Artistic Director Penny Couchie, who is the choreographer for Misdemeanor Dream, travelled to New York City earlier this month to be part of the rehearsal process. After briefly returning home, Penny and other members of the company are now in South Dakota to help with the production, including putting up the installation & set pieces that were developed at Big Medicine Studio and helping to facilitate the workshops.

Here are a couple of images of the installation at USD, the set being built, and the storyweaving workshop facilitated by Muriel Miguel, Penny Couchie, and Imelda Villalon.Photo of the Misdemeanor Dream installation at USD.

Photo of Aanmitaagzi members showing the installation work for Misemeanor Dream.Set building for Misdemeanor Dream in SDMisdemeanor Dream storyweaving workshopAanmitaagzi would like to acknowledge and thank everyone that has supported and been a part of this project over the years. It has been an amazing project to work on and we are thrilled to continue to be a part of it.

2024 Winter Workshops

Poster for the 2024 Winter Workshop series.Our weekly workshop series is back with a great set of winter workshops to keep you busy until Spring!

On Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm we have All Ages Making with Sherry Guppy, a drop-in multi-arts creation session for artists of all ages. Materials will be provided.

On Thursdays from 3:30 – 5:30 pm we have Yoga/Dance with Animikiikwe Couchie-Waukey & Penny Couchie. A blend of yoga, movement, and dance, this workshop will help participants to build on their strengths and knowledge of their bodies, help them to unleash their creativity and power, and get everyone moving! No yoga or dance experience required.

The workshops will run from now until March 7th, and are open to people of all ages and abilities. For more information, please contact Sid or Penny at (705) 474-2227.

Winter Solstice Celebration 2023

Poster for the 2023 Winter Solstice celebration.

To celebrate the season and our All My R(el)ations project, Aanmitaagzi will be hosting a Winter Solstice Celebration at Big Medicine Studio on December 15th from 5 – 8 pm. The evening’s festivities will include a community dinner, art making stations, a display of works developed through our Fall & Winter Workshops, as well as presentations of songs, stories, poetry, and comedic improv. There will also be an opportunity for you to share through the open mic portion of the evening. This event is free to attend, and all are welcome.

For more information, please contact Penny or Sid at (705) 474-2227 or email aanmitaagzi@gmail.com.

House Concert & Open Mic Night – December 9th

Poster for the House Concert & Open Mic Night on December 9, 2023

Please join us for another House Concert & Open Mic event featuring Migizi Country (Leland Bell, Dan Commanda, Tyler Dokis, and Dave Miner) on Saturday, December 9th from 1 – 4 pm. Bring your songs, stories, poems, and dancing shoes for an afternoon of music and fun! Admission is free but we will be collecting non-perishable or cash donations for the local food bank.

For more information please contact Sid Bobb at (705) 474-2227 or bobbsid@hotmail.com.

2023 Fall & Winter Workshop Series

The poster for the 2023 fall and winter workshop series.

Aanmitaagzi is back with another series of community-engaged workshops for the 2023 Fall & Winter season! The workshops are part of our current project, ALL MY R(el)ATIONS, which explores and examines the themes of relationality and resource capacity/scarcity. Through them we will be gathering, creating, and developing stories, installation materials, and performance pieces that will feed into the larger project and future presentations.

The workshops are free to attend and no experience is necessary. All ages are welcome except where noted.

Click here to download a printable 2023 Fall workshop calendar.

2023 Fall & Winter Workshop Series

All Ages Making with Sherry Guppy – Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5:15 pm
A multi-arts drop-in class for artists of all ages. Materials will be provided.

Dance with Penny Couchie – Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Contemporary dance and movement explorations to unleash our power and creativity.

Nishinaabemwin with Blair Beaucage – Wednesdays, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Fun and easy Nishinaabemwin language classes for learners of all ages and abilities.

NOTE: The Nishinaabemwin workshops will take place at Big Medicine Studio on November 7, November 22, and December 6, and at the Garden Village Community Hall on November 15, November 29, and December 13.

Elders’ Storytelling Luncheons – Thursdays, 12:00 – 2:30 pm
Have some lunch and an extra helping of stories and conversations with local Elders and knowledge keepers every Thursday afternoon at Big Medicine Studio.

Comedic Improv with Sid Bobb & Michaela Washburn – Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:00 pm Comedic improv is a great way to release your inner storyteller and have some fun! It teaches you how to think on your feet and work collaboratively while honing your listening skills and group awareness. In this workshop, participants will engage in improv ice breakers, exercises, and games while exploring principles of play, spontaneity, and listening. This workshop is for Ages 12 and up.

Yoga & Dance with Animikiikwe Couchie-Waukey – Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The focus of these classes will be to build on our strengths and knowledge of our bodies, and gain freedom of motion, so that we can play and have fun. No yoga or dance experience necessary.

For more information, please contact Sid or Penny at aanmitaagzi@gmail.com or (705) 474-2227.