Steven’s
personal and professional history enables him to bring
a unique perspective to the stage. Steven (Mescalero
Apache/Yaqui/Upper Tanana Athabascan) was raised in
a multi-ethnic military family while growing up within
many diverse cultures including Hispanic, Native American,
Hawaiian and Japanese. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees
in Music Education (Voice and Percussion) and History,
with a minor in Philosophy, from San Jose State University.
An artist with vast experience in
many mediums, he works professionally as a percussionist,
vocalist, stage actor, film and stage producer, and
music educator. Working professionally as a musician
since age 16, Steven currently performs with the Anchorage
Symphony Orchestra, the Anchorage Opera and Anchorage
Concert Chorus, and recording artists Medicine Dream,
Pamyua and Joy Harjo. He has toured extensively throughout
the U.S. and Europe.
Steven has appeared on stage in several
musical and theater productions (most recently as
Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar), while musically
directing over 30 productions. He also recently co-founded
Theater Artists United, an extremely successful Anchorage-based
Theater Company, where he is presently the Musical
Director of Hair.
“Connections”
is a Steven Alvarez production of three traditional
stories about Native people reconnecting or staying
connected with their culture. It is a one man theater
piece fusing traditional and contemporary performance
art.
Photography by
Katherine Fogden
Each skillfully woven story ends
with a contemporary song relating back to the story,
and the accompaniment of that song is imbedded in
beautiful films of still and moving images of contemporary
and historic photos of Native elders and people who
represent the wisdom and knowledge of the cultures.
The first story is about an eagle,
rescued by a farmer, who had it raised by his chickens.
The story represents Native people (the eagle) who
are living in a foreign environment (western culture),
who regain their heritage. Steven performs the song,
“Take Me Home” by Phil Collins to close
this story.
In the second story, a son who as
he matures realizes he knows little of his culture
goes to his father seeking knowledge of the ways of
his people. Sadly, his father is sick and dying, and
it’s too late. As his father becomes weaker,
he repeats the words “take away my pain”,
referring to the pain he feels of not being able to
pass on the culture. The closing song is “Take
Away My Pain” by Dream Theater.
The
final, poignant story speaks of a young boy who moved
through life so fast that he didn’t see it pass
him by until all his relations were gone. Guided by
an Elder from another village, he learns over many
years to slow down and hear the voices of his people
through the wind, the animals and the sounds of nature.
“Remember Me,” composed by James Horner,
is the last song.
As each story is told, Steven adorns himself with
more of his regalia until at the very end he is fully
dressed, symbolizing his own reconnection with his
past.
Approximate time of this piece
is 45 – 50 minutes.
(If still playing, stop music before
starting video above)
Steven’s
personal and professional history enables him to bring
a unique perspective to the stage. Steven (Mescalero
Apache/Yaqui/Upper Tanana Athabascan) was raised in
a multi-ethnic military family while growing up within
many diverse cultures including Hispanic, Native American,
Hawaiian and Japanese. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees
in Music Education (Voice and Percussion) and History,
with a minor in Philosophy, from San Jose State University.
The
final, poignant story speaks of a young boy who moved
through life so fast that he didn’t see it pass
him by until all his relations were gone. Guided by
an Elder from another village, he learns over many
years to slow down and hear the voices of his people
through the wind, the animals and the sounds of nature.
“Remember Me,” composed by James Horner,
is the last song.