THESE BIRDS
A play inspired by death, flowers, and Farkle
by Merry Ellefson

In collaboration with Ryan Conarro, Flordelino Lagundino, and Claire Richardson

January 29 - February 15, 2026

Inspired by conversations with diverse Juneau residents, These Birds - A play inspired by death, flowers, and Farkle is a new interview-based play about death and dying. As stated by an interviewee, “No one gets out of here alive.” In a world often divided, death offers common ground: a place where stories meet, and where silence gives way to song. These Birds features stories gathered from Juneauites of every age and walk of life. The production uses movement, puppetry, an original score, and an ensemble of eight performers to invite audiences to find compassion, courage, and community in the face of life’s final mystery, and to cultivate connections with hospice, mental health, and end-of-life planning.

These Birds is supported in part by the Foundation for End of Life Care, Inc., Senior Citizen Support Fund, Filipino Community, Inc., Ali McKenna Memorial Fund for the Arts, Margaret Frans Brady Fund, Juneau Community Foundation, Juneau Arts and Humanities Council and the City and Borough of Juneau, Douglas Dornan Foundation, and Bob and Elaine Schroeder. The director and playwright of These Birds are sponsored by Generator Theater Company.

Presented in partnership with Juneau Public Libraries and University of Alaska Southeast.

Media Sponsor:

TICKETED PERFORMANCES
Thursday, January 29 @ 7:30pm - Juneau Makerspace (3915 N Douglas Hwy)
Friday, January 30 @ 7:30pm - Juneau Makerspace

Friday, February 6 @ 7:30pm - Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church Hall (400 West 11th Street)
Saturday, February 7 @ 7:30pm - Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church Hall

Friday, February 13 @ 7:30pm - Sealaska Heritage Institute Clan House (105 S. Seward Street)
Saturday, February 14 @ 7:30pm - Sealaska Heritage Institute Clan House
Sunday, February 15 @ 3pm - Sealaska Heritage Institute Clan House

Click here to buy pay-as-you-want tickets for Juneau Makerspace, Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church Hall, and Sealaska Heritage Institute Clan House.

ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES (Free, donations welcome)
Saturday, January 31 @ 7:30pm - University of Alaska Southeast Egan Library (11066 Auke Lake Way)
Sunday, February 1 @ 5:30pm - Mendenhall Valley Public Library (3025 Diamond Pk Lp)
Thursday, February 12 @ 7:30pm - Congregation Sukkat Shalom (211 Cordova St)

PRODUCTION AND CREATIVE TEAM
Merry Ellefson CoCreator/Playwright
Flordelino Lagundino Producer
Claire Richardson CoCreator/Producer
Ryan Conarro Director/Dramaturg
Justin Perkins Set/Properties Designer
Corina Chase Costume Designer
Daniel Baker Sound Designer/Composer
Jeanne Murray Choreographer
George Holly Songwriter/Singing Coach
Di Johnson Properties Technician
Thom Jones Voice and Text Coach
Charise Greene Voice and Text Coach
Elizabeth Davis Youth Acting Coach
Donnie Gott Youth Acting Coach
Mark Valdez Dramaturg
Shelly Wright Stitcher
Megan Riordan Stage Manager
Megan Kay Wright Stage Manager
Bryan Crowder Producer

ACTORS
Enrique Bravo Jack
Adeia Rain Brown Willow/Ensemble 8
Bryan Crowder Tyler/Kyle/Michael/Ensemble 4
Noa Carlson Sadie/Mom/Clarissa/Ensemble 5
Vance Murray Felix/Oscar/Young Sadie/Ensemble 7
Andrew AJ Roa Bukkah/Marcurio/Norboro/Sam/Ensemble 3
Terra Stark Jade/Margie/Jonah/Ensemble 6
Erin Tripp Vivian/Phillip/Forrest/Arieh/Ensemble 2
George Holly Musician

ABOUT FOUNDATION FOR END OF LIFE CARE
The mission of the Foundation for End of Life Care, Inc. is to support end of life services including hospice, bereavement care, and community education.  As part of that mission, the Foundation is pleased to support this important production by Theater Alaska. 

The Foundation offers comprehensive information about end-of-life care and hospice services available in Southeast Alaska, helping individuals and families navigate the decision-making process regarding end-of-life needs and services. We offer a wide range of print and online resources, as well as community events, to educate the public and support the ongoing development of hospice services throughout the Southeast Alaska region. 

Go to www.foundationforendoflifecare.org to learn more. 

SENIOR CITIZEN SUPPORT FUND
These Birds is partially funded with a generous grant by the Senior Citizen Support Fund at the Juneau Community Foundation. The Foundation is pleased and honored to support this remarkable play that will particularly benefit our elders and their families by addressing issues of death and dying with compassion and courage in creative and entertaining ways.