A.M.
Shunka
Wakan
Wacipi
Hesbrook
Ramier
Writer. Playwright. Novelist
Writer's Statement
As is common with most young artists, I spent several years of my life working retail. Specifically, I was a “Doll Hairstylist” for American Girl in New York City.
Most mornings I would take the A-Train to Rockefeller Center, pass the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, the Today Show windows, and search for Tina Fey. However, one day, an older East Indian gentleman, wearing a business suit yelled out, “Miss! Miss!” I stopped. “What nationality are you?” he asked.
Not understanding his motives I answered hesitantly, “I am Native American.” He frowned.
“I am native to America, too,” he responded. “I am also a native American.” I saw that he assumed my response had been in some way xenophobic.
“No, I’m American Indian,” I clarified. At this his face lit up with joy.
"I am American Indian too!”
Running out of terms, I said, “I am Lakota.” He put his hand out and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m John.”
I never had the pleasure of running into John again, but our brief encounter is exactly what I've always wanted to write about. The fluidity of culture—how we interact with others, adopt different attitudes and beliefs with new information—fascinates me. We live in an age where intermingling with different cultures happens, for many, on a daily basis. As a result, defining identity has never been more complicated. Many minority writers and scholars in the African American, Latino and American Indian communities are writing about these complicated forces. My hope is to
join their circle to provide another version of who Native Americans are in the present.
Work Experience
EDUCATION
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY 2013
School of Writing, Literature and Film
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
THE COLORADO COLLEGE 2008
Bachelor of Arts, Majors: Drama and English
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2012-2016
Instructor
7 sections Drama 111: Introduction to Theatre and Drama
1 section FASH 160: History of Fashion
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY 2013-2014
Instructor
11 sections of Writing 222: Argumentation
2 sections of Writing 214: Business Writing
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY 2011-2013
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Sole instructor of 6 sections of Writing 121: English Composition
Sole instructor of 1 section of Writing 224: Introduction to Fiction Writing
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
VOOVOODRESS.COM 2013-Present
Content Writer and Social Media Coordinator
THE SANTA FE OPERA Summers 2007-11, 2015
Supervisor Music/Production Crew
GOODMAN THEATRE 2009
Production Management Intern
PICCOLO THEATRE 2009
Stage Manager
“Robinson Crusoe: A Holiday Panto” and “Rough Crossing.”
PUBLICATIONS
Member News 2015-2018
A quarterly publication through the Museum of New Foundation.
“A Dream on Buckskin.” Huffington Post 2012
“FEMA and ‘The X-Files.’” On Call FEMA Weekly 2011
“Drinks Tonight?” Miriam’s Well 2010
The Levantian, Colorado College 2006
“A Connection to Letters”, pg 70
ACTING
HAMLET POLICE, William Shakespeare, adapted by Tom Lindblade 2008
Colorado College
Role: Gertrude
LA MUSICA, Marguerite Duras 2008
Colorado College
Role: Anne Marie Roche
ATTEMPTS ON HER LIFE, Martin Crimp 2008
Colorado College
Role: Woman
ACTION, Sam Shepard 2007
Colorado College
Role: Lupe
ABSURD PLUS 2006
Colorado College
Role: Woman in Egg by Ionesco.
SAVAGE/LOVE, Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin 2006
Colorado College
Role: Girl
THE KING STAG, Carlo Gozzi 2005
Colorado College
Role: Clarice
CHAMBER MUSIC, Arthur Kopit, 2005
Colorado College
Role: Constanze Mozart
COLLABORATIVE PRODUCTIONS
SIX TIMES TAPE, senior thesis production 2008
Colorado College
Role: Actor/ Producer, Collaboration with four students and advisor
SAVE THIS CITY, new play 2007
Role: Evangelical Interviewees. Collaboration with The Civilians
RE: TWAIN, new play 2006
Role: Lucifer. Collaboration with Buntport Theatre
MELANCHOLY PLAY, Sarah Ruhl 2007
Colorado College
Director and Set Designer
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & SERVICE
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY STONE AWARD 2013 Volunteer
Taught Joyce Carol Oates’ writing to middle school students
CRESCENT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2012-2013
Writing Center Volunteer
CALYX, A Journal of Art and Literature by Women 2012
Editorial Collective
HONORS & AWARDS
DIVERSITY SIGNING BONUS
Oregon State University
PAMELA RILEY DRAMA HONORS AWARD
Colorado College
THEATER WORKSHOP'S TEN MINUTE PLAY WRITING CONTEST
1st place
Colorado Springs
DONALD J. HELEN M. STILL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Colorado College
MORTAR BOARD SENIOR HONOR SOCIETY
Colorado College