Local artist is using Shakespeare text to explore American and Lakota history

RAPID CITY – A Lakota adaptation of one of The Bard’s most beloved stories is in the works. Hanhepi Akenunpa Woechetu (Twelfth Night: The Act of Healing) is a professional adaptation by Jessica Adams (Sicangu) of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The original story explores themes of love, mistaken identity and the complexities of gender roles.

Adams, who is a local artist and Rapid City native, said she had been reading Twelfth Night. “At the same time I was reading a lot of Native history, watching a lot of Native shows and movies and I was reading a lot gender studies books, because I identify as transgender. As I was reading Twelfth Night, it hit me that this could be a great analogy or metaphor on the Native condition.”

She said the title was gifted to her project by respected Lakota elders who are serving as cultural advisors.

The original version centers on twins, a boy and a girl, who are separated during a shipwreck. Believing her brother is dead, the girl disguises herself as her dead brother and enters the service of a duke. The duke sends her to woo a woman on his behalf, but the duke’s love interest ends up falling in love with the servant, unaware of the servants true identity. The servant in turn, disguised as her brother, has fallen in love with the duke. Confusion ensues. Subplots lead to more confusion and comedic situations.

The original play is an audience favorite. It has been told in numerous ways, through countless stage productions, at least ten major films, multiple television adaptations, and musicals. While it is classified as a romantic comedy the core of the story is about grief and loss. Adams said her play will be less comedy and focus on themes of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and sovereignty. “My play does include elements of Native humor but primarily explores the emotional healing of Grandmother Earth and a girl mourning significant loss.”

Adams’ version, which is set in the 1890’s, features survivors of the Wounded Knee massacre and historical figures like Pine Ridge agent Royer, Jesuit priest Father Francis Craft, Richard Pratt the superintendent of the Carlisle Indian School, and Frank Baldwin a member of the Fifth Cavalry

“In my version, the twins are survivors of the Wounded Knee Massacre,” says Adams. “Following the massacre at Wounded Knee, a young woman named Thoša survives, believing her twin brother Okinihan is lost. For her own safety, she disguises herself as a man named Pahin and enters the service of Daniel F. Royer, the BIA Agent at Pine Ridge. Royer, obsessed with the matriarch Unci Maka, sends Pahin as his messenger to woo her. Unci Maka, who represents the Land is in a seven-year mourning period for the losses of the Dawes Act, rejects Royer but finds herself powerfully drawn to the spirit of the young messenger, Pahin. This creates a complicated love triangle that is thrown into chaos when Okinihan arrives at the agency, leading to a dramatic reunion that untangles the knots of identity and charts a new path forward for them all.”

Adams said that this will be a large production. “It’s a story about resilience and empowerment, so in this production, everyone will get paid. All the actors are going to get paid. The director who is part Lakota, Heidi Dehn, will also be getting paid. Our core mission is to provide paid, professional roles for local Native artists.”

“This is a true community-driven project,” said Adams. ‘We have built a strong coalition of partners, including the Homestake Opera House, Racing Magpie, the Oglala Lakota Artspace, and the Dahl Arts Center. Also we are in discussion with the Journey Museum, the Black Hills Indian Artist Market, and others.”

“We will also be hosting a series of free community workshops and ‘First Look’ staged readings in Rapid City, Lead, and on the Pine Ridge Reservation.” Those currently are planned for May.

Adams said her group will be meeting with author of “Heartbeat of Wounded Knee,” David Treuer (Ojibwe) who has expressed enthusiastic interest and offered support. “ We have also confirmed a meeting with Mother Shaneequa Brokenleg, Interim Missioner for the Office of Indigenous Ministries, for cultural consultation. Bruce Knowles, the Black Hills Symphony director has expressed keen interest in discussing our musical score.

And the Arts South Dakota has also reached out, offering assistance and exploring partnership opportunities.”

Adams said this about healing. “I don’t know that we will do it after every performance, but I am hoping we can have a panel of experts who can come up on stage and talk to the audience about what they just saw, so they can have a better understanding.”

The premiere will be at the Historic Homestake Opera House in Lead in summer 2026.

“I think it’s really cool too, that this will be held in the place where gold was discovered. Adams said the project is also being developed in a key partnership with the Historic Homestake Opera House and its director, Todd Jones. The production will be guided by a paid Lakota Cultural Consultant to ensure cultural authenticity and respect.

Adams also intends to have a live musical score featuring The Wake Singers who will compose and performs a unique score that blends modern rock with traditional Lakota sounds, including an interpretation of the Ghost Dance.

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

The post Local artist is using Shakespeare text to explore American and Lakota history first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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