About Native Theatre Artists

---

Chokma! Saholhchifoat Nicolette Blount. Chikashsha saya!  Hello My name is Nicolette Blount. I am Chickasaw. I recently was in a producer's master training class with a Broadway producer. I was asked to come up with a hot topic for class. I decided to research and talk about if DEI ( diversity, equity and inclusion) is helping Natives. I read the AAPAC Visibility Report for Broadway/OffBroadway. I was shocked! You can read it here:  AAPAC Visibility Report . Basically Natives account for 2.7% Broadway writers, 0.7% Nonprofit writers, and in all other creative areas...0%! It's not like Natives aren't in the theatre industry. We currently have 11+ Native theatres in the US. I looked on another popular BIPOC website that gives visibility to theatre creatives and there were only two Native American artists listed, one being myself.  I have found, when trying to cast my own shows, that many in the industry don't know any Native actors or other Native creatives. I came to the conclusion that the answer to the questions "Is DEI making a difference for Natives in our industry?" is sadly, but loudly no. I wanted to try to help make a difference by sharing my resources and connections. I decided to make a website, The goal is to have a visible,  industry accessible list of all North American Indigenous (Including Canadian First Nations) theatre creatives in and around NYC or those who aspire to work in Off Broadway/Broadway. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, writers, set designers, costume designers, musicians, directors, dancers, choreographers, music directors and more. Once we have a good amount of people, I will share it with Broadway/Off Broadway producers, theaters, casting agents and more. This is self funded. I make no money off of this or from the creatives I am hoping to support and connect to the industry or those I will share it with in the industry. 

I am not a casting agent or talent agent. I firmly believe we can help make a difference if we do it together and advocate for each other.  I hope this will provide visibility and more opportunities to help create change in the industry.