Playwright Dustin Tahmahkera looked to the wisdom of his family to create his art.

“Auntie ’nita Pahdopony says when the stories come together, that’s when the magic happens,” said Tahmaherka. “Magic, in one sense, is to make the impossible, possible. Stories, and their infinite possibilities, connect us as people.”

Tahmahkera’s latest work, “Comanche Girl on the Moon,”  reflects on his heritage and his family history.

“The title character, a 12 year-old Comanche and Anglo named Petu is on her quest to save her families home in Oklahoma,” said Tahmahkera, who earned his doctorate in American Culture Studies from BGSU in 2007. He said the play “is inspired by my late Comanche auntie Juanita Pahdopony and her stories, poetry and paintings.”  

Tahmahkera has been working with Generation Now on “Comanche Girl on the Moon,” and other projects to improve the play and make strides to release the best version possible to the public.  

“Generation Now is a professional and personable community of dedicated theatre folks committed to expanding the stories and who and what is seen on stage,” said Tahmahkera.  

Tahmahkera said he is working on a new project, “Comanche versus the United States of America.” Said Tahmahkera, “Spoiler: this time, the Comanche is the star, not the sidekick or background extra.”