Playmaker. Consultant. Fisherman.
Who I Am
Naphtali Leyland Fields-Forbes is a playmaker and rural arts consultant from Kodiak Island, Alaska, homeland of the Sugpiaq/Alutiiq people. Her first memories of stories are from the ocean; as a child she and her family would swap tales while working in their commercial fishing operation every summer. These days, she’s retelling those childhood stories to her son as she teaches him to fish the way her grandparents did. In the off-season, Naphtali has worked as a university professor, theatre director, and community organizer. She is a founding member of Icara Productions and holds an MFA in Directing and Public Dialogue from Virginia Tech. Whether on the water or in the classroom she believes stories change people and communities for the better. Her passion is telling transformative stories by and for rural people in remote places around the world.
“From the very beginning I knew this was going to be a challenge for me. Naphtali never once showed concern that an old boatbuilder like me could pull it off! The play was a great experience I’ll never forget.”
— Community Performer | Eastport, ME
“En el trabajo de campo y comunidad veo en ella una persona con mucho sentido humano y tolerancia hacia las diferentes culturas que ha participado, siendo su forma de enseñanza un ánimo contínuo a mejorar lo que ya se tiene y no de imponer pensamientos propios.”
— Community Member | Ahuachapán, El Salvador
Does your community have a story to tell?
Let’s discuss what a rural playmaker can help your community achieve.