Vera Starbard Explained

Vera Starbard (born 1982) is an Alaska Native editor and playwright. She is a Tlingit/Denaʼina woman born in Craig, Alaska, graduating from East Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2016, she was named Playwright-in-Residence at Perseverance Theatre in Douglas, Alaska.^{[1] [2]} Her residency was renewed for Cohort 3: 2019–2022.^[3] She has written several episodes of the Molly of Denali animated children's program airing on PBS KIDS.^[4] She is the editor of First Alaskans magazine. Vera is currently a staff writer for Alaska Daily.

Recognition

• Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award in 2009 and Alaska Literary Award^[5]
• She received a New York Stage And Film NEXUS grant in 2021^[6]

Plays

• Native Pride (and Prejudice)
• Fog Woman^[7]
• Our Voices Will Be Heard performed 2016; published 2017; radio adaptation broadcast 2018^{[8] [9] [10]}
• Devilfish (2019)^[11]
• A Tlingit Christmas Carol (2020)^[12]

Episodes

Molly of Denali aired on PBS Kids:

• "New Nivagi"", aired August, 19 2019
• "Turn on the Northern Lights", aired October 7, 2019
• "Canoe Journey", aired May 29, 2020
• "Eagle Tale", aired December 9, 2020

Alaska Daily aired on ABC:

• "Most reckless thing I've ever done", aired March 30, 2023

References

1. Web site: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation . The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and HowlRound Announce $5.58 Million in Grants through the National Playwright Residency Program . The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation . 27 February 2021 . 5 April 2016.
2. News: Alaska Native playwright Vera Starbard wins three-year writing residency . 18 March 2021 . Juneau Empire . 13 April 2016.
3. Web site: National Playwright Residency Program . HowlRound Theatre Commons . 22 March 2021 . en.
4. News: Hohenstatt . Ben . 'Molly of Denali' drums up fun, cultural pride . 19 March 2021 . Peninsula Clarion . 9 August 2019.
5. Web site: Vera Starbard (Tlingit/Dena'ina) . HowlRound Theatre Commons . en.
6. News: BWW News Desk . New York Stage and Film Announces NEXUS Initiative Artist Grants . 13 March 2021 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
7. Web site: Vera Starbard New Play Exchange . newplayexchange.org . 22 March 2021 . en.
8. News: Kirsch . Geoff . Raising Voices . 10 March 2021 . The Anchorage Press . en.
9. Web site: Our Voices Will Be Heard . KBOO . 10 March 2021 . en . 23 June 2018.
10. Book: Uno . Roberta . Contemporary plays by women of color: an anthology . 2018 . Routledge . London . 9781138189461 . Second.
11. News: Hohenstatt . Ben . Theater Review: 'Devilfish' is a hell of a play . 10 March 2021 . Juneau Empire . 26 September 2019.
12. Web site: Crouse . Tripp J. . Anchorage . KNBA- . Alaska Indigenous theater production transforms classic holiday tale in 'Tlingit Christmas Carol' . Alaska Public Media . 13 March 2021 . 8 December 2020.