Continuing its commitment to developing new works, Montana Repertory Theatre proudly announces a staged reading of Can’t Drink Salt Water, a powerful new play by indigenous playwright Kendra Mylnechuk Potter [Lummi].
Can’t Drink Salt Water is a gripping play juxtaposing a mother’s relentless search for her missing daughter with the journey of a young woman newly arrived at Bethel House, an evangelical shelter for victims of sex trafficking. Weaving together Native tradition, maternal grief, contemporary religious faith, humor, and a call to action, the reading is recommended for adult audiences. A conversation with the playwright and director will follow. Resources and more information on MMIP will be available in the lobby before and after the reading.
New Play Workshop November 14th-18th
Public Reading November 19th at 4:00 pm
Montana Theatre University of Montana Campus
Graphic Design by Stella Nall
The Roy Cockrum Foundation
This reading is made possible by a generous grant from The Roy Cockrum Foundation
Meet the Cast
Jennifer Bobiwash (Mother)
Jennifer is a First Nations actor and playwright. Recent credits include Between Two Knees by the 1491s (McCarter Theatre & Seattle Rep) and Manahatta by Mary Kathryn Nagle (Yale Rep). She has appeared in world premieres of Fairly Traceable by Mary Kathryn Nagle, Bingo Hall by Dillon Chitto (Native Voices), They Don’t Talk Back by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse (Native Voices and La Jolla Playhouse)
JEFF TALBOTT (SIMON)
Jeff Talbott is an actor and writer based in NYC. He has appeared on TV, in film, on- and off-Broadway, and all over the country onstage (his favorite roles include work in plays like Oslo, Doubt, The Odd Couple, and Twelve Angry Men, among many others). He writes plays (inaugural recipient of the Laurents/Hatcher Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his play The Submission) and musicals (with his writing partner, composer Will Van Dyke). For more information: www.jefftalbott.com.
TRacy Sallows (Dina)
Broadway: The Audience (w/ Helen Mirren) and Romeo and Juliet (w/ Orlando Bloom), as well as a ShimadAngels in America, The Miser, and You Never Can Tell. Off-Broadway: The Price of Thomas Scott, Pushkin, The Dressmaker's Secret, Aristocrats, Moving Bodies, The Countess, The Wax, and The Shaggs; Philosophy of the World. TV & Film: Dr. Death, FBI: Most Wanted, Everything's Trash, The Alienist, Boardwalk Empire and lots of Law & Order and Independent Films and numerous Regional Theatre credits. Tracy is a member of the BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, where she wrote the book, music, and lyrics to Curious & Rare about paleontologist Mary Anning. More at tracysallows.com
Elva Guerra (Shaleena)
Elva is a 20 year old, non-binary, indigenous person from a small town in Oklahoma. They have been creating art since they were a kid. Acting found them at 16 and they have loved it ever since. Art in any form helps express their whole being. It's their passion, it's what makes this world beautiful. Being able to be molded by storytellers all over the world is important and they love being a part of that voice. Elva couldn't be more excited to be part of this workshop and thanks everyone for being here and having them!
Katie Rich (Jen)
Katie Anvil Rich’s recent credits include: For The People (The Guthrie), Shane (The Guthrie), Desert Stories For Lost Girls (Native Voices at the Autry). She’s a graduate of Harvard University and the Moscow Art Theatre’s MFA program and an alum of the Walt Disney Talent Showcase. katieanvilrich.com
Shadie Wallette (Star)
Shadie is a Sophomore at the University of Montana! Their most recent credit is A Wrinkle in Time as Mrs. Which/Ensemble (UM School of Theatre & Dance) and is very excited to work with other indigenous actors, producers, playwrights and directors! This is their first professional job as an actor, and to participate in a project with other indigenous people is fantastic. They are very glad to be a part of it!