The Stories We Choose to Pass Down Shape Our Collective Possible Futures
Raised on traditional Mohegan stories and Shakespeare, Madeline Sayet is a director whose work is shaped by the idea of Story Medicine - the belief that every story we put into this world has the power to do real world harm or healing. What story do you wish you had heard growing up? How can theatre be used to transcend the world we are in and build a better future?
For her work as a stage director of new plays, classics, and opera - Madeline has been named a FORBES 30 UNDER 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, a TED FELLOW, a MIT MEDIA LAB DIRECTORS FELLOW, NCAIED NATIVE AMERICAN 40 UNDER 40, a recipient of THE WHITE HOUSE CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD from President Obama, the NATIONAL DIRECTORS FELLOWSHIP, and a National Arts Strategies' CREATIVE COMMUNITY FELLOW. Madeline is the Executive Director of the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program (YIPAP) and a member of Long Wharf Theatre's artistic ensemble. Her directing work has been praised by the Wall Street Journal as "enchanting," and the New York Times admired the "transparent and almost weightless" fluidity of the worlds she builds. Her work promoting Native voices onstage has been featured in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, GOOD Magazine, and MENTAL FLOSS.
Her solo performance piece Where We Belong recently premiered at SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE and RichMix in London where it received 5 STARS from The Upcoming and was called "A spiritual journey-Sayet performs with humbling passion." Another review noted,"Not only is Sayet joyfully emotional, real, and incredibly funny, she is a euphoric storyteller, with an important story."
In addition to her work as an artist, she is widely sought after as a public speaker and educator, having spoken at the TED conference, Yale, the MIT Media Lab, NYU, SHPO, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, etc. Please use the contact form for inquiries.
Updates
Upcoming Events
Commissioned as part of "Play at Home" by State Theatre of New Jersey
Wrote a silly play for kids, "Pets Need Privacy Too" All Play at Home Plays Can be Found Here
Directed Long Wharf Theatre's 2020 Gala, "Staged At Home: A Virtual Benefit Concert"
Performer/Panelist for Red Bull Theatre's Exploring Othello in 2020, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28)
Commissioned to create an Offering of Peace for The Peace Studio's 100 Offerings of Peace
View her new work, "The Wishing Well" here (Sound Design by Erik Schilke)
Where We Belong
Written and Performed by Madeline Sayet
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
Washington DC 2021
Recent Articles and Interviews
America's Obsession with Killing Indians Hasn't Died
by Madeline Sayet
High Country News
https://www.hcn.org/articles/tribal-affairs-americas-obsession-with-killing-indians-hasnt-died
Madeline Sayet: The Opposite of Erasure
by Susan Gonzalez
Yale News
Indigenous Theatre Imagines Forward
https://www.newhavenarts.org/arts-paper/articles/indigenous-theater-imagines-forward
Why Shakespeare: Episode 6 Shakespeare and Colonialism
https://osfashland.uscreen.io/programs/whyshakespeare?cid=1095414
Madeline's work is a case study in "Creating a Freelance Career"
Creating a Freelance Career by Jill L. Ferguson (Chapter 2 - Case Study)
Madeline is featured in the Dec 2018 Issue of National Geographic Magazine
Reclaiming Our Stories by Tristan Ahtone. December 2018 Issue of National Geographic
Going Global: Madeline Sayet Premieres Her One Woman Show in London
The Day
One to Watch: Madeline Sayet is Making Waves as a Theater Director
The Day
Cover Story for the April Issue of American Theatre Magazine
Native Women Rising
by Madeline Sayet
https://www.americantheatre.org/2018/03/20/native-women-rising/
Episode 145: Holy Sh*t Its Madeline Sayet!
No Holds Bard: Shakespeare Podcast
http://noholdsbard.libsyn.com/nhb-145-holy-sht-its-madeline-sayet
NEA Art Talk with Director Madeline Sayet
National Endowment for the Arts
https://www.arts.gov/art-works/2016/art-talk-director-madeline-sayet
