Where We Belong
By Madeline Sayet
Directed by Mei Ann Teo
In association with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Booking and details
Dates Thu, Feb 15 – Sun, Mar 10, 2024
Tickets $20 – $84
To celebrate and honor members of the Indigenous community, complimentary tickets are available through the entire run of the show to those who identify as part of the community. To redeem this offer, please contact the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077.
In 2015, Mohegan theater-maker Madeline Sayet travels to England to pursue a PhD in Shakespeare, where she finds a country that refuses to acknowledge its ongoing role in colonialism, just as the Brexit vote threatens to further disengage the UK from the wider world.
In this stirring solo piece, Madeline echoes a journey to England braved by her Native ancestors in the 1700s following treaty betrayals—and forces us to consider what it means to belong in an increasingly globalized world.
Following its world premiere in June 2021—presented by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and the Folger Shakespeare Library—Where We Belong has enjoyed a successful national tour, with performances at Philadelphia Theatre Company, the Goodman Theatre, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, The Public Theater, Portland Center Stage, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
An earlier version of Where We Belong was produced in London at Richmix and Shakespeare’s Globe in 2019, as part of Border Crossings’ Origins Festival, the UK’s only large-scale multidisciplinary festival of Indigenous arts and culture.
Please note: Children under the age of 4 are not permitted.
Production photos
All photos by Erika Nizborski Photography
Caution
This production uses flashing lights that may not be suitable for those with sensitivities to light. Please see a visitor experience team member for details.
Content transparency
This production contains depictions of racism and discussions of borders, war, loss of language, residential schools, colonial theft of human remains and repatriation.
Cast
Buy the script
Pre-order your copy of Where We Belong (Bloomsbury Publishing) and pick it up at your performance.
Pre-show playlist
Listen to songs from Native artists in this Spotify playlist, created for Where We Belong at The Public Theater.
Related podcast
Madeline Sayet on Where We Belong
We talk with Madeline Sayet about growing up Mohegan in Connecticut, her evolving relationship with Shakespeare today, and what it means to belong in a complicated world.
Creative team
Folger Theatre Sponsors
With special thanks to
The Share Fund
Premier Season Sponsor
Dr. Bill and Evelyn Braithwaite
Season Sponsor
Helen and David Kenney & Family
Andrea “Andi” Kasarsky
Production Sponsor
Nancy and Steve Howard (Romeo and Juliet)
Contributing Sponsor
Celia and Keith Arnaud
Gail Kern Paster
Associate Sponsor
Timothy J. Carlton (Romeo and Juliet)
Wes and Sly Hallman
Peter and Mary Pennington
Rick Kasten (Romeo and Juliet)
Artist Sponsor
Karl K. and Carrol Benner Kindel
Accessibility
Folger Theatre provides accessible seating, assisted listening devices, and ASL interpretation. Please contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544–7077 with questions or requests. More information
Relaxed performances
- Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 7:30pm
- Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2pm
Relaxed performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for audiences that may receive and react to information in different ways. The content of the production is the same, but strobes and flashing lights have be removed for these performances.
Please contact VisitorServices@folger.edu with any additional questions.
ASL interpretation
- Friday, March 1 at 8pm
For information about the best seat locations from which to see the interpreter, contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544–7077.
Masked performances
- Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 2pm and 8pm
At the request of many audience members, Folger Theatre has denoted several performances during the 2023|24 season as mask-required by all audience members, staff, and volunteers. If you need a mask, we are happy to provide one to you. Learn more
Open-captioned performances
- Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2pm and 7:30pm
Open-captioning makes live theater performances accessible by using a non-intrusive caption board at the front of the stage which scrolls the entire text of the production in real time. For information about the best seat locations from which to see the caption board, contact us at VisitorServices@folger.edu or (202) 544–7077.
Special performances
Celebrating Native Performance
From Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Woolly Mammoth will present Celebrating Native Performance: A Core Partner Welcome on Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 PM. Woolly Mammoth’s new Core Partners, Miss Chief Rocka (hoop dancer and performer also known as Lunacee) and Mary Phillips (singer and performer, member of Zotigh Singers and Uptown Singerz), will give performances and speak in group discussions about their artistry. The evening also includes Phillips performing along with the Zotigh Singers and an interactive demonstration on hoop dancing from Miss Chief Rocka.
NATIVE AMERICAN ART MARKET
Woolly Mammoth will also host its first ever Native American Art Market on Saturday, March 9 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Native American artisans and craftspeople will have booths to display and sell their wares — including goods such as beadwork, jewelry, and more. The market is presented in collaboration with Native bead worker, Senajewen. The day will also include two free workshops, soon to be announced.
Post show discussion
- Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 7:30pm
Join us after the show for a free conversation with the cast moderated by Mary Kathryn Nagle.
