"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Local Group Forming Cherokee Theater Co.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - A local group has announced the beginning phase of organizing a Cherokee National Theater Company in Tahlequah.

Roy Hamilton, one of the organizers, said the theater company would serve as another opportunity to inspire Cherokee youth and others "to learn, use and preserve the Cherokee language, stories, arts, culture, and so much more."

Hamilton sees the CNTC as another foundation block to add to Cherokee cultural arts educational opportunities, which already include the Cherokee National Youth Choir, the International Cherokee Film Festival, the Cherokee Artists Association, the Flute Circle and Cherokee Heritage Center programming.

"We certainly have a good number of very talented Cherokee citizens who would have something to contribute to the endeavor," Hamilton said. "The national theater would be a vital educational, artistic, technical and inspirational outlet for Cherokee actors, actresses, story tellers, musicians, dancers, writers, directors, technical people and others."

In the coming months, the CNTC will host meetings throughout the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area. There are no requirements for participation and citizens are encouraged to participate.

For more information contact Hamilton, by email: gwytutsi@yahoo.com or call 918-696-4229. Visit the Cherokee National Theater Company's temporary web site.