'The Winter Bear' plays at APU - Sept. 17–19, 2015

Special show for UAA and APU students and faculty: Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. Alaska Pacific University, Grant Hall Theatre

Public performances: Sept. 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m. Alaska Pacific University, Grant Hall Theatre

The Winter Bear Project and Southcentral Foundation present "The Winter Bear," a play by former Alaska Writer Laureate Anne Hanley.

"The Winter Bear" is about an Alaska Native teenager contemplating suicide who rises above past traumas with the help of mentor Sidney Huntington. The mission of The Winter Bear Project is to "change the climate of fear and hopelessness that breeds suicide by broadening awareness, stimulating dialogue and promoting healing through the performing arts."

"The Winter Bear" is directed by Gwich'in Athabascan theatre artist Allan Hayton, with technical direction by James Bartlett. The company features several Alaska Native and Native American actors, including Brían Wescott as Sidney Huntington, Therisa Bennett as Miranda Huntington, Samuel Johns as Victor Sam, Isaiah Juneby Potts as Duane, Ben Coffroth as Wolf and Cynthia Jones as Raven. The production also features Alaskan actors Thomas Petrie and Leah Hill.

Thanks to a generous grant from Southcentral Foundation, admission to all three performances is free. Seating at Grant Hall Theatre is on a first-come, first-served basis. Free parking is available directly across from Grant Hall.

This production is offered in conjunction with Southcentral Foundation's Our Breath of Life Festival, which is being held Sept. 8-16, 2015, to help expand suicide awareness and prevention education with activities for all age groups, especially young people and rural students experiencing college life. The festival, which coincides with National Suicide Prevention Week, is a partnership among Southcentral Foundation, Alaska Pacific University, the University of Alaska Anchorage and The Winter Bear Project.

For more information about The Winter Bear Project, visit winterbearproject.com or follow The Winter Bear Project on Facebook.

(Note: Playwright Anne Hanley will discuss "The Winter Bear" in a special talk sponsored by the UAA Campus Bookstore. The talk will begin Monday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307.)

August Archive