Two families. One reality TV show. Who will survive three months as an 1840's frontier family on the Minnesota prairie? Will it be the urbane Roubidouxs from Minneapolis? Or the no-nonsense, live-off-the-land Monroes, from the North Shore? Soon enough, both families find they've more to overcome than just the elements. It's an adventure (all caught on confession cam!) fraught with laughable predicaments and harrowing incidents. And when one family reconnects with their Dakota culture, it leads to startling revelations for all, inspiring the true spirit of generosity.

"[Larissa FastHorse] smartly uproots many of the stereotypes surrounding American Indians...The playwright is breaking new ground here, and, in the process, establishing new life in theater." - Twin Cities StarTribune

Interview with Larissa Fasthorse:

You were commissioned to write Average Family by The Children’s Theatre Company in 2004 as part of its new play development. Why did you decide to participate in the project?

As a kid from South Dakota, I have always had great respect for The Children’s Theatre Company. My aunt took me to one of their productions as a child. It was a wonderful experience. As an adult, when I first went to check out the theatre I hung out in the lobby before the show and was struck by the sense of ownership CTC has given generations of kids. As each munchkin marched into this real lobby of a real theatre, they all looked perfectly at home. They belong there and feel comfortable there. I was acutely averse to being talked down to as a child, and CTC never does that. From the physical space to the productions themselves, these children grow up believing they have a respected place in the arts. That is a gift that is so precious and sadly rare. From that emotional moment in the lobby, I have been honored to be a part of the CTC legacy that secures a place for art in our past, present and future.

What excites you most about Average Family and the themes of the play?

Average Family is a way for me to deal with some personal issues in the totally bizarre world of reality TV. But being able to do this with a primarily Native American cast n a large theatre is a dream come true. I am a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lakota. Sadly, I can’t imagine seeing something like this when I as a child or teenager or adult. Native American characters are rarely the majority of a cast or in mainstream productions. Native American theatre is often dealt with as “special” “diverse” “alternative”. For CTC to put this show up as a main stage work like any other is very brave and terribly exciting for the future of theatre.

What about the piece will appeal to young people?

Everything I hope! Seriously though, I know when I was a kid I wanted people to treat me like a fellow human who has a point of view. I wanted to know about other kinds of families and fee like someone understood what I was going through. I wanted to fit in and accept my differences all at the same time. So, I wrote a play that has all of those elements in it and has a lot of fun with the reality show background and the notion of why and how we win. (Or at least try to.)

"[Larissa FastHorse] smartly uproots many of the stereotypes surrounding American Indians...The playwright is breaking new ground here, and, in the process, establishing new life in theater." - Twin Cities StarTribune