In 2012, Vera began a program through the Alaska Native Heritage Center called the Alaska Native Playwright Project. It took established Alaska Native writers and, through workshops and mentorship, taught them how to turn story ideas into plays.
This project resulted in Our Voices Will Be Heard, which was first developed by Native Voices in Los Angeles. It premiered in 2016 through Perseverance Theatre, with performances in Juneau, Hoonah, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. It was also adapted into a one-hour radio play, and published in the textbook “Contemporary Plays by Women of Color.”
Listen to the one-hour radio adaptation of “Our Voices Will Be Heard.”
Some highlights and reviews:
Juneau Empire interview: “Our Voices Will Be Heard: A universal story in a distinctive voice”
Anchorage Press interview: “Raising Voices”
KTOO Interview: “‘Our Voices Will Be Heard’ Brings child sexual abuse to the forefront”
“Devilfish” premiered at Perseverance Theatre in 2019, her first commission through the Andrew W. Mellon National Playwright Residency Program.
Some highlights and reviews:
Juneau Empire Review: “Devilfish is a hell of a play”
Anchorage Press Review: “Alaskan Masterpiece: Last weekend to catch Devilfish, Starbard’s masterpiece about everything”
KTVA Interview: “‘Devilfish’ highlights indigenous folklore, addresses trauma”
Anchorage Press interview: “Starbard’s spectacular Ice Age vision of Alaska comes to life”
Vera also began a playwrighting group called Dark Winter Productions with four co-founders, Lucas Rowley, Richard Perry, Marleah LaBelle, and Vera’s husband Joe Bedard. Dark Winter seeks to develop Alaska Native written plays, as well as give Alaska Native actors (both experienced and novice) more experience with acting.
In 2016, Vera became the resident playwright at Perseverance Theatre through the Andrew W. Mellon National Playwright Residency Program, which came with an initial three-play commission. Her residency was renewed in 2019 for an additional three years and three plays, completing the residency in June 2022. While the residency is over, the six full-length plays and numerous short works to come out of the residency will be worked on and produced in the many months and years to come!
Some of her upcoming projects:
- Native Pride (and Prejudice)
A modern adaptation set in an Alaskan village.
- Fog Woman (working title)
A Tlingit legend in a domestic violence advocacy play.
- A Tlingit Christmas Carol
A modern adaption with TLINGITS!
- Unnamed Tlingit opera
- Unnamed biographical play about Marlene Johnson
- Unnamed horror play
- Unnamed commission through Lower 48 theatre
