In the spirit of the season, we encourage Winterlight viewers to make a donation to the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center: www.miwrc.org/donate. Thank you.
Winterlight
Stories, poems and songs to illuminate the season, a gift from Girl Friday Productions. Released online in three December 2020 episodes.
Directed by Craig Johnson
Technical Magic by Aaron Fiskradatz
Join Girl Friday Productions for Winterlight, a three-episode digital series of stories, poems and songs to warm the soul during this season of light. This eclectic mix of timeless winter tales features beloved and lesser-known works by Willa Cather, O. Henry, W.E.B. DuBois, Margaret Widdemer, Hans Christian Andersen, Sara Teasdale, Gertrude Parthenia McBrown, Robert Frost and more. Each episode is short (about 20 minutes) and freely accessible to the community. No tickets or reservations required, simply click and enjoy!
Episode One
Livestreaming Monday, December 14 at 7:30 pm
Kitty Clover’s Letter to Santa Claus
anonymous, 1913
featuring Dana Lee Thompson
Ms. Puckett
A memory by Sam Landman, 2020
Three Poems
Winter Sport
anonymous, 1850
featuring James Rodriguez
A Snowman
anonymous, 1889
featuring Taj Ruler
Winter Branches
By Margaret Widdemer, 1921
featuring Willie E. Jones III
The Burglar’s Christmas
By Willa Cather, 1896, adapted by Craig Johnson
featuring Kirby Bennett, Reese Britts, James Rodriguez & Taj Ruler
In the Bleak Midwinter
Lyrics: 1872 (Christina Rossetti) Music: 1906 (Gustav Holst)
Featuring Reese Britts
Episode Two
Livestreaming Monday, December 21 at 6:30 pm
(note earlier time, after Winterlight we invite you to join Open Eye Theatre for Longest Night at 7:00 pm)
The Gift of the Magi
by O. Henry, 1905
featuring Willie E. Jones III, Sophina Saggau & Craig Johnson
I Saw Three Ships
Traditional, 17th century
featuring Hope Nordquist, with Kai Brewster, musician
Two Poems
January
by William Carlos Williams, 1921
featuring Sam Landman
I Heard a Bird Sing
by Oliver Herford, ca. 1900
featuring Kirby Bennett
The Sermon in the Cradle
by W.E.B. DuBois, 1921, Courtesy of HathiTrust
featuring Dana Lee Thompson with the Company
Good Will Toward Men Quote
W.E.B DuBois, 1910, Courtesy of HathiTrust
Featuring Willie E. Jones III
Episode Three
Livestreaming Monday, December 28 at 7:30 pm
The Evergreen
German folktale, 19th century, adapted by Craig Johnson
featuring Taj Ruler
Two Poems
A Winter Blue-Jay
by Sara Teasdale, 1915
featuring Sophina Saggau
A Painter
by Gertrude Parthenia McBrown, 1935, From the New York Public Library
featuring Dana Lee Thompson
Yuki-Onna: The Snow Woman
Japanese folktale, 19th century, adapted by Craig Johnson
featuring Hope Nordquist
All Through the Night
Lyrics: 1884 (Harold Boulton), 2020 (Craig Johnson)
Music: 1784 (Traditional Welsh)
featuring Reese Britts, with Amanda Hennen, guitar
The Little Match Girl
by Hans Christian Andersen, 1845
featuring Craig Johnson
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost, 1923
featuring James Rodriguez
Winterlight Cast and Artistic Team
Kirby Bennett, Reese Britts, Aaron Fiskradatz, Craig Johnson, Willie Jones, Sam Landman, Hope Nordquist, James Rodriguez, Taj Ruler, Sophina Saggau, Dana Lee Thompson
Special Thanks
Josh and Bernie Casey
Philip Losacker
Julie Martinez
Nancy and Anthony Paul
Wendy Ruyle
Tony and Matt
Bad Karma
Becky Welander
Darrick Mosley
And our Winterlight Cast and Artistic Team