by Eliana Theologides Rodriguez
directed by Miranda Cornell
April 30 – June 7, 2026
Linda Gross Theater
In the summer of 2008, five young girls of color and their white fathers attend a program designed to bond families through handmade activities, camp-like adventures, and a heavy dose of cultural appropriation. But where can these girls turn when the program sparks questions that their fathers are unable – or unwilling – to answer? Inspired by the playwright’s experiences in a father-daughter program of the same name, Indian Princesses is a tender satire that explores the stories we tell, the histories we omit, and the truths that live inside us, waiting to come out.
Indian Princesses is a brand new play that marks the Off-Broadway debuts of both Eliana Theologides Rodriguez and Miranda Cornell.
“You may have heard of the Indian Princesses or Indian Guides program, which still exists today throughout the US as a father-child bonding program. Though the mission of the program is wholesome––helping fathers and children bond through earthy adventures, hand-made ceremony, and intentional community-building––its reality is a complete bastardization of Native American culture, appropriating sacred practices and garb for the fleeting enjoyment of majority white families.
The phrase “Indian Princess” itself embodies this dissonance: a constructed fantasy by white settlers, she is an imaginary sidekick invented to retell the brutalities of American history as a G-rated narrative, appropriate for audiences of all ages.
It wasn’t until I reflected on the program as an adult that I realized the irony of my participation in it. My mom’s side of the family is of Yaqui and Tewa descent, but her relatives were forced into assimilation school, which forever severed them and future family members from Native community and culture, and which is why today, I do not self-identify as Native. The never-ending American colonization project robbed my family of our heritage, then aestheticized, repackaged, and sold that heritage back to us generations later as a family-friendly after-school activity.
I do not possess any remnants of the sacred dress or artifacts of my ancestors, but I do have a faux-suede vest with the YMCA logo and some plastic-beaded dreamcatchers. I do not know a word of my ancestors’ languages, but I remember every word of our 2008 tribal chant. In other words, I cannot call myself Native, but I can call myself a YMCA-certified Indian Princess.”
– Eliana Theologides Rodriguez
OPEN CAPTIONS: GalaPro will become available for Indian Princesses performances from June 2 – 7.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: The audio described performance of Indian Princesses will take place on Wednesday, June 3 at 8pm.
ACCESS25: Atlantic is committed to connecting deeply and authentically with audiences from a broad range of economic backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, and perspectives. Our Access25 ticket initiative makes a limited number of $25 tickets available to every preview performance in the 2025|2026 Season. Access25 tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis beginning 2 weeks prior to the first performance of each Atlantic Theater Company 2025|2026 production. Access25 tickets for Indian Princesses will become available on Thursday, April 16 at noon ET.
This production of Indian Princesses is supported, in part, by the Terrence McNally Foundation and was developed through the 2024 Terrence McNally New Works Incubator at Rattlestick Theater.
As we prepare for another season of storytelling and artistry, we hope you will join as an Atlantic Member! Join for our 2025|2026 Season for the best price on tickets to four exciting new productions. Memberships are on sale now below!
by Jake Brasch
directed by Shelley Butler
February 5 – March 22, 2026
Linda Gross Theater
“A must-see play! Sublime work of some of New York’s finest actors.” (CitiTour)
Josh’s life is a mess. He’s moved home to Denver to get sober, but after years of drinking, the fog in his brain won’t lift. Struggling with memory loss, confusion, and shame he finds himself strangely in step with his four aging grandparents. The Reservoir is a funny, human play about memory, recovery, and the joys of cross-generational connection.
by Bubba Weiler
directed by Jack Serio
June 11 – July 19, 2026
Atlantic Stage 2
When a lost young man takes refuge in their church, two altar boys desperately cling to each other as their changing lives, faiths, and bodies threaten to tear them apart.
by Ethan Coen
directed by Neil Pepe
September 25 – November 22, 2025
Linda Gross Theater
Let’s Love! is a comedy, a trio of one acts, that explores love in all its miserable glory. The world is a confusing place and we are a confused people. But it’s easier to be confused together, so—let’s love!
We can’t wait to welcome back Academy Award winner Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men) and Tony Award nominee Neil Pepe (American Buffalo) with a cast featuring Golden Globe & Emmy Award nominee Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”), Atlantic Ensemble Members Chris Bauer (“The Wire”) & Mary McCann (The Welkin), and more.
