Central Theatre Ensemble Brings Sacagawea To Life

April 14, 2004

Contact: Leslee Caul (509-963-1760/fax: 509-963-1767/e-mail: caull@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Two hundred years ago this year, a Lemhi Shoshone woman named Sacagawea joined the Corps of Discovery to assist Meriweather Lewis and William Clark in their exploration of the western territories. This spring, the story of her journey will come to Central Washington University's McConnell Auditorium, April 23-25, during the Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE) production of "Bird Woman: The Story of Sacagawea."

There are many mysteries surrounding Sacagawea and the events of her life. To begin with, the pronunciation of her name has been under debate. In this version of her story, written by Ric Averill, "sa-ka-ka-Way-a" is kidnapped and taken to a neighboring Hidatsa tribe where she is forced to marry French trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

When Lewis and Clark arrived at that village looking for a translator, they found Charbonneau and his new wife. During her time with the Corps of Discovery, she became an invaluable asset as guide, translator and friend. Her story teaches important lessons about the Native American experience, particularly as it relates to the Pacific Northwest.

CTE's production is collaboration between the university's theatre arts department and the Clymer Museum of Art, named for artist, and Ellensburg native, John Ford Clymer. In addition to the performance, audiences throughout the Northwest will enjoy a series of Clymer's paintings which depict the Corps of Discovery journey, including the painting "Sacagawea on the Big Water," which is the image being used by CTE for posters and other printed materials.

The 60-minute production itself was inspired by Clymer's work. Trish Bellah, guest director, and Scott Robinson, scenic and costume designer, were so impressed by Clymer's paintings, that both the set and costume design draw from the style and color palette of those works.

Tickets are currently on sale for "Bird Woman: The Story of Sacagawea." The Tower Theatre box office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tickets may also be purchased by phone with a VISA or MasterCard at (509) 963-1774. All seats are $5 and all performances will be staged in McConnell Auditorium. The box office is also open one hour prior to each performance.

For more information about the production, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1774, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.