Madeline Sayet

Madeline Sayet is a director, performer, writer, and educator. A member of the Mohegan Nation, she explores cultural intersections through original theater productions in an effort to highlight indigenous perspectives. Her work ranges from reinterpretations of Shakespeare to absurdist comedy, and explores the complexities of race, culture, and media. In 2015, she premiered a critically acclaimed production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute that embedded indigenous ideologies in the classic opera.

Sayet’s mission is to present Native peoples with positive images and complex realities onstage. She is currently  directing the world premier of Cathy Rexford's new play "Whale Song" at the Perseverance Theatre in Alaska. Sayet is a 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30 list maker (Hollywood & Entertainment), a 2016 TED Fellow, a recipient of The White House Champion of Change Award, a National Directing Fellow, a Van Lier Directing Fellow at Second Stage, and a National Arts Strategies Creative Community Fellow. A director of new plays, classics, and opera, she was the Resident Director at Amerinda (American Indian Artists) Inc. from 2012-2016, where she developed new plays by Native playwrights and launched the Native Shakespeare Ensemble.