“Aklaq and Nayak” is an Inupiaq adaptation of the fairytale. It’s a joint production with the Anchorage Opera.
“We want to do things a little bit differently,” said Anchorage Opera general rirector Reed Smith. “We think it tells the story a little bit better for people who have grown up in Alaska and experienced the hunting and fishing.”
In this twist on the classic, the characters get lost berry picking; they end up at a house made of smoked salmon, not gingerbread.
“I think it’s wonderful, I think it’s a great way to showcase our culture,” said UAA senior Kira Eckenweiler. “It’s a great way for people to see how much we live off a subsistence lifestyle.”
Eckenweiler stars as Nayak, the Gretel character. The Unalakleet native is pround to showcase her heritage on center stage.
“It’s definitely western style music. I’ve always loved opera. I think it’s great having our culture expressed in every way possible,” said Eckenweiler.
The Anchorage Opera hopes this production will be the first in its Educational Outreach Program. The goal is to bring the show to schools around the state.
Smith said it’s a win-win for both the singers and the students.
“Children in the schools in the area get to see a live operatic performance and talk to the artists up close. It’s an opportunity they might not otherwise have,” he said.
Eckenweiler said music education is lacking in rural schools. She didn’t find out about the opera until she was in high school. Bringing the opera to the Bush would be a great way for her to share her passion with students who might one day take the stage themselves.
“Aklaq and Nayak” shows at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13.
Friday, February 17 2017 12:06 PM EST2017-02-17 17:06:28 GMT
Thursday, June 21 2018 4:03 PM EDT2018-06-21 20:03:55 GMT
You’re my friends now. We’re having soft tacos later. Yeah but I don’t know how to make myself go there. Maybe it might never happen again. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Put a little fence around it! Ralph Waldo Pickle Chips! I don’t know him.Pony Lords, jump for you
PersonalityCatbug may be about 10 years old, and has a very sweet and childlike personality. Catbug's personality also makes him seem simpler and more carefree, like in the episode "Gas-Powered Stick," where he was seen talking to a spider, and in the ep
PersonalityCatbug may be about 10 years old, and has a very sweet and childlike personality. Catbug's personality also makes him seem simpler and more carefree, like in the episode "Gas-Powered Stick," where he was seen talking to a spider, and in the ep
Thursday, February 23 2017 9:17 PM EST2017-02-24 02:17:22 GMT
Thursday, March 16 2017 1:27 PM EDT2017-03-16 17:27:38 GMT
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) - A woman was trapped early Friday morning in her home after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her while she was in bed. Fort Wayne fire crews and paramedics rushed to the sceneMore>>
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) - A woman was trapped early Friday morning in her home after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her while she was in bed. Fort Wayne fire crews and paramedics rushed to the sceneMore>>
Monday, August 27 2018 5:26 PM EDT2018-08-27 21:26:00 GMT
Tuesday, May 5 2020 10:40 AM EDT2020-05-05 14:40:00 GMT
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla vel efficitur diam, ut tempus lorem. In laoreet velit eget magna malesuada, sit amet mollis diam pretium. Suspendisse vulputate erat et maximus commodo. Proin ullamcorper, neque quis commodo vMore>>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla vel efficitur diam, ut tempus lorem. In laoreet velit eget magna malesuada, sit amet mollis diam pretium. Suspendisse vulputate erat et maximus commodo. Proin ullamcorper, neque quis commodo vMore>>