A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Wink-Dah

Short Play, Drama  /  6m

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

In this haunting short play, the title of which translates to “homosexual,” a trickster named Two Shoes tries to outwit Death, sparing the life of his “little brother,” a young gay Native American in love with a white boy.

Wink-Dah

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Trickster Two Shoes meets Death on an empty road. When Death isn’t looking, Two Shoes sees and recognizes a name on Death’s list: his “Little Brother,” Jeremy, who lived a tortured existence as a young gay Native American in love with a white boy. When Jeremy’s friends learn about Jeremy being abused by his lover’s father, they vow to seek vengeance. Two Shoes attempts to save Jeremy’s life by playing a game with Death, but games with Death do not end well.

History
Wink-Dah premiered in November 1988 as part of the “Plays in Progress” series at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. The production was directed by Christina Yao. In May 1989, the play made its New York debut at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in a “Marathon of One Acts” directed by Rich Litchie.
Keywords
Performing Groups
TWO SHOES – Human in appearance, around 50 years old.
DEATH – Wears a black hooded cloak in the first scene and carries a scythe. Later in the play, he changes into an owl.
JEREMY STONE – 20 years old.
VIRGIL STONE – Younger brother to Jeremy, 17 years old.
ERBEST OLDROCK – Friend to Virgil, 15 years old.
VICTOR YOUNG – Farmer, 50 years old.
  • Time Period 1990s
  • Setting

    A camp with fires and tents, near a highway.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots

Media

“Taut drama.” – The New York Times

“There is some taut drama in Mr. Yellow Robe's play, most fully realized in a confrontation between Jeremy and Virgil over traditional Indian values against the impurities of the white man's society.” – The New York Times

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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Authors

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

William S. Yellow Robe, Jr.

William Stanley Yellow Robe, Jr. (Assiniboine/Sioux) was a playwright, actor, director and teacher. He was a staunch advocate for Native and Indigenous playwrights, beloved by his students and revered by his audiences. His work has been produced around the United States and i ...

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