From Students and Parents
I expressed my feelings to her (my mentor). It was kind of hard because there was a lot of thinking. I like writing. I can do whatever I want to do when I write.
Sophia George, Student, Coeur d’Alene Tribal School
At first I thought it would be kind of boring, but then we started getting into it and I thought it was pretty cool.
Jay Peone, Student, Coeur d’Alene Tribal School
It amazes me first to see your ability to capture the inner beings of the children you work with. You are able to engage them in experiences that under different circumstances, these children would never adhere to, but because of the safety of the environment you set forth and the tone you present from the very beginning, the children are willing. Fantastic!
Regina Tula, Parent, Chemehuevi Tribe
From the Community
One area that we have always wanted to expand on is the offering of a variety of art opportunities for our youth. [W]e have had few programs offering the caliber of excellence and artistic ingenuity as the MAPP Project produced by Myra Donnelley and directed by Thomas Kellogg. … The ingenious and meticulously managed MAPP project is one of the few great gems out there that can, in a very short period of time, change the lives of our Native American youth who face some of the greatest challenges in our society today… In the past year, we have seen the magic that this program has created with our youth as they have blossomed in many unimaginable ways.
Korinna Wolfe (Tuolumne Miwok), MSW, Program Manager, Foster Care/High School/Gang Prevention Programs, Native American Youth and Family Center
The Young Native Playwrights Project is stretching our students intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Parents, community members, tribal leaders, and tribal elders are excited and grateful about the impact this opportunity will have on our children.
Dr. Chris Meyers, Director of Education, Coeur d’Alene Tribe
The playwrights were really impacted. This opened up a whole new world to them. It gave them an idea about their capabilities that they had never fathomed. The rest of the year behavior problems in these kids dropped to zero. I had kids that were bringing in their math homework after that. It was like the ripple effect of dropping a rock in the water. It wasn’t just writing—it was their lives.
Henry Willard, Special Education Teacher, Coeur d’Alene Tribal School
From Mentors
I am really excited, happy, and proud to return to the Young Native Playwrights Project this year (2006) as a mentor. The experience I had in 2002 (as a young writer) helped me to prepare for film school at Cal State Fullerton. This year, I hope that by sharing my knowledge and experience with the participants I can help them keep an open mind and teach them they have many options in playwriting.
Leya Hale (Dakota/Navajo), Film School Student, Young Writer (2002)/Mentor (2006)
I want to thank you for giving our Indian youth a chance to be heard. Once again, I will say it: I wish I had someone like you to make my voice heard at a young age. I think that the program is wonderful and wow! It is nice to know that you are going to the Indian reservation to do this as well. I love every moment, from the imagination to the writing down of the play. I feel that what I didn’t learn in film school/scriptwriting class I got out of being a mentor.
Kathy Denabah Peltier (Navajo/Lakota/Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), Actress/Writer, Los Angeles, CA
The best part of the evening was watching the kids watch their plays being read. It was a moving experience. So many people were there who had never seen live theater before. I love how the kids got their voices heard. It is hard enough to be heard in this era, but to be heard and be a kid is amazing. I’ll never forget this experience.
Christopher Plummer, Graduate Theatre Student, University of Idaho
I've had some pretty glorious experiences. And I have to say the one I shared with you—the incredible artists you brought from LA and the breathtakingly gifted and brave young writers—ranks right up there with the best of them. It was truly a privilege to be allowed into the worlds these young people so fearlessly and profoundly created and be part of 'setting them on the air' —especially with such a talented and generous company of players. Their wisdom and insight far exceeding their years on this planet, their voices still sing in my mind's eye and in my heart.
Michele Mariana, Singer/Actress, Portland, OR
We finished our training sessions yesterday with Tom Kellogg. The writing style that Tom introduced to us was fabulous. I can’t wait to see how it will work in my own writing, let alone that of the children.
Maaike Davidson, Graduate Playwriting Student, University of Idaho
I can't begin to express the amazement. Seeing the growth of these kids as they moved through the process of learning to write, writing, and then seeing their work performed has been very fulfilling. They have gained confidence in their innate skills, while their social skills in communicating with "strangers" have improved at the same time. This program has been, in my opinion, a real boon not only to the community of Native kids but to the arts community as well.
Richard Sanders, Actor, Portland, OR