Sydney Theatre Company presents 'Stolen': Interview with Ian Michael & Kartanya Maynard

Summary

Ian Katana discusses his deep personal connection to the play, sharing how his own family's experience with the stolen generations influences his decision to direct this powerful production. With an all-First Nations cast, the play explores the impact of forced separations on children, particularly focusing on Ruby, one of the youngest characters. Katana reflects on the importance of truth-telling, particularly in the context of current issues such as Indigenous youth in detention and out-of-home care. The production highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities while aiming to spark accountability and reflection in its audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ian Katana reflects on the importance of First Nations storytelling and the legacy of the play he is directing.
• 😀 Ian's personal connection to the stolen generations informs his desire to direct this play, especially through the experience of his father being taken at the age of 25.
• 😀 The play has been a significant part of Ian's life as a theater maker, and its monologue was the first he ever learned.
• 😀 The play features all First Nations actors, which adds to its authenticity and significance in addressing heavy themes.
• 😀 Cast members, including Kat, decompress after performances in various ways, such as crocheting and watching reality TV, while also reflecting together in a group ritual.
• 😀 Kat’s character, Ruby, is a vulnerable young girl who becomes emotionally closed off as the play progresses but still finds moments to connect with her peers in a familial way.
• 😀 The play portrays the stolen generations, highlighting the emotional trauma children endured when ripped away from their families and placed in harsh environments.
• 😀 One of the play’s central messages is how these children became their own caretakers, often parenting each other in the absence of caring adults.
• 😀 The timing of the play is significant, especially in light of the referendum and the current crisis involving high numbers of Indigenous children in detention and out-of-home care.
• 😀 The production aims not just to engage the audience emotionally but also to provoke reflection on responsibility and accountability in addressing the ongoing issues facing Indigenous communities.

Q & A

Why did Ian Katana decide to direct this play?

Ian Katana decided to direct this play because it had been circulating in his life as a theater maker for a long time. The play's monologue was the first he ever learned, and he sees it as a privilege and honor to be part of its legacy. The play is also an important piece of First Nation storytelling that needs more visibility.

What is Ian Katana's personal connection to the Stolen Generations?

Ian Katana's personal connection to the Stolen Generations comes from his father, who was taken when he was 25. Ian was unaware of this until his father shared his experience, which deeply impacted Ian's decision to direct this production.

How does the cast decompress after intense performances?

After performances, the cast has different ways of decompressing. Ian Katana personally likes to relax by crocheting and watching reality TV. Additionally, the cast has a tradition of coming together at the end of each show to hold each other, acknowledging the emotional impact of the performance.

What is Ruby's role in the play, and what makes her character particularly vulnerable?

Ruby is one of the five children in the play, and she is the youngest, around five years old. She becomes emotionally closed off due to the trauma she experiences. Ruby's vulnerability is poignant as she transitions from an innocent child to someone who is deeply affected by the loss and abuse caused by the Stolen Generations.

What does the play reveal about the relationships between the children in the Stolen Generations?

The play emphasizes that the children in the Stolen Generations, who were taken from their families, had no adult support. As a result, they parented each other, creating deep, familial bonds between the children. These relationships were often the only lifeline for the children in an otherwise cruel and indifferent system.

How does Ian Katana view the contemporary relevance of the play?

Ian Katana views the play as particularly relevant today due to ongoing issues faced by Indigenous communities, such as the disproportionate representation of Indigenous children in youth detention and out-of-home care. He believes the play offers an opportunity for deep truth-telling and calls for accountability, especially in the aftermath of the referendum.

How does the production highlight the importance of truth-telling?

The production emphasizes truth-telling as a means to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities. Ian Katana and the cast want the audience to engage deeply with the characters and reflect on their feelings after the performance, encouraging them to consider their own role in the broader societal context.

What role does emotional reflection play in the actors' process?

Emotional reflection is a vital part of the actors' process. After each performance, the cast comes together to acknowledge the emotional intensity of the show and support each other. This reflection allows them to release the emotional weight of the performance and find ways to cope with the heavy themes explored in the play.

How does the play address the theme of loss and trauma?

The play addresses loss and trauma through the experiences of the children who were taken from their families. These children endure significant emotional and psychological damage, and the play portrays their journey of coping with that trauma, particularly focusing on how they form bonds with each other in the absence of parental support.

Why is it important for the play to be performed now, according to Ian Katana?

According to Ian Katana, the play is particularly important now due to the ongoing issues Indigenous communities face, such as the high rates of Indigenous children in detention and out-of-home care. The play offers a space for audiences to confront these issues and consider how they can take action in response to the truths presented.