Overview
Synopsis
This semi-autobiographical play one-man play explores a story of hidden love between two gay teenage boys from neighboring reservations. Mike, a hockey player, and Jake, a dancer, take notice of each other at the Kenora Shoppers Mall. The two boys connect instantly, but are scared to act on their feelings. As the story is told through the shapeshifitng Nanabush, Agokwe (pronounced ‘agoo-kway’) explores the joys and heartbreaks of growing up as a young boy, marginalized by race, gender, and sexual orientation within a small community.
Agokwe is an Anishinaabe word that roughly translates to “two-spirited”, indicating that someone has both a male spirit and a female spirit inside of them. The original production won six Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 2009, including the award for Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Production, Outstanding Performance, and Outstanding Direction.
Show Information
- Book
- Waawaate Fobister
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2008
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Kenora, Ontario, Canada; Present Day
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Non-binary |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Non-binary |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.
Term used to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit.
Dislike of or prejudice against gay people.
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
A play with only one act. One-act plays may have several scenes and vary in length, from short single scenes to full-length scripts.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.