Support the Wahzhazhe (Osage) Puppet Theater
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The Wahzhazhe (Osage) Puppet Theater is graciously asking for financial support to elevate our productions—where every scene is captivating, and every puppet comes to life. Be part of our story. Please donate today!
By contributing to Wahzhazhe (Osage) Puppet Theater, you'll ensure that Osage collaborative artistry continues to flourish through:
• Restoration and creation of enchanting puppets and props.
• Creation of vibrant and intricate costumes.
• Crafting a visual identity with the development of a unique logo.
• Establishing a legacy with our transition to a non-profit organization.
• Fostering innovation and original storytelling in our upcoming productions.
The Wahzhazhe Puppet Theater premiered during the Osage Nation’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in October 2022 through the support of the Osage Nation Museum. Since then, the Theater company has performed in St. Louis during Counterpublic 2023, a civic exhibition. During Counterpublic’s closing events, performance cemented the company’s rising status within the arts community. Most recently, the puppet theater performed at Tulsa’s Guthrie Green for the Tulsa Artist Fellowship’s Open House weekend.
Meet our Wahzhazhe Puppet Theater Team:
Welana Queton (Osage, Creek, & Cherokee)- Artistic Director, Playwright
Russ Tallchief (Osage)- Stage Director, Playwright
Candice Byrd-Boney (Osage, Quapaw, Cherokee)- Playwright
Osage Community Members – Actors
Our company brings our Osage ancestors' culturally rooted stories and histories alive using large-scale conceptual puppets created through a community-based collaborative process. Our puppets were designed in an inspiring collaboration with renowned Puppet Designer Christopher Lutter-Gardella of Big Animal Productions in Minneapolis. He guided our community to construct our puppets from upcycled materials while highlighting the profound connection between tradition and environmental stewardship.
We engage our Osage artisans to characterize the puppets, sets, music, and costumes to create a unique contemporary Osage aesthetic that sets the Wahzhazhe (Osage) Puppet Theater apart.
Our performances offer insight into the rich worldviews and values that shape Osage identity, providing a window into our culture for tribal members and the broader global community.
Your generosity is the catalyst for a renaissance of puppetry arts within our community—support Wahzhazhe (Osage) Puppet Theater today as we look forward to bringing more Osage stories to life!
Follow us on Instagram @wahzhazhepuppetTheater.
Media Links
Fields Queton, W, "A Native Puppet Theater Tells the Story of the Osage Homelands."
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Blog, 2023.
Osage Nation Sesquicentennial Celebration
Osage News live recording of the play
Organizer
Welana Queton
Organizer
Pawhuska, OK