Beth Malloy
Beth Malloy lived in the Yukon before she attended drama school outside. She returned to the Yukon after graduation in 1979 with a mission to create a professional theatre with plays by and for First Nations. She founded Nakai Players with partner Sheila Langston. Nakai is a Gwitchin word for the number two. In theatre, “two” represents the relationship between the players and the audience – both being essential.1) In 1989, Nakai merged with Separate Reality to become Nakai Theatre Ensemble. The artists director from 1989 to 1995 was Dawn Davies and the company concentrated on Whitehorse activities.2)
By 2004, Nakai was the largest professional theatre north of the 60th parallel. In 2003, they presented 117 separate performances to more than 7,000 Yukoners across the territory. The company toured western Canada and every community in the Yukon. Writers included Celia McBride and Mitch Miagawa.3) Nakai started producing the Pivot Theatre Festival, producing works and hosting productions from across Canada. Artistic directors have included Philip Adams (1995 – 98), Michael Clark, and David Skelton.4)