If These Trees Could Talk

Your self-guided tour will be accompanied by poetry and stories written by a variety of authors. Some of the poets you'll recognize, some will be new to you, and some are original works created exclusively for this experience. Most of the voices you hear will be familiar, as well, as our Core Company actors and a few friends draw new meaning from words inspired by our woods, as they're spoken in the context of places on APT's property that hold special meaning and wield special beauty.

Please note: Due to rights constraints, we are unable to share a copy of the audio tour for you to download or purchase. If that changes in the days to come, we will let you know.

The "If These Trees Could Talk" Creative Team was led by Melisa Pereyra and included Isabella Star LaBlanc, James DeVita and Aaron Posner. Sound Design by Andre Pluess.

Actors

David Daniel

James Ridge

Nate Burger

Marcus Truschinski

Kelsey Brennan

Jim DeVita

Sarah Day

Tracy Michelle Arnold

Tim Gittings

Jamal James

Alys Dickerson

Colleen Madden

Brian Mani

Melisa Pereyra

Isabella Star LaBlanc

La Shawn Banks

Writers

Leilani Portillo -- a multiracial Kanaka Maoli poet from Hawaii.

Leslie Pinckney Hill -- an African-American author, poet, and dramatist.

William Cullen Bryant -- a white American poet and journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post.

Amanda Gorman -- the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate, an African-American poet and activist from Los Angeles.

Kahlil Gibran -- a Lebanese-American writer and poet.

Robin Wall Kimmerer -- is a scientist and a writer of the Potawatomi Nation.

Rumi -- a 13th-century Persian poet and scholar.

Joy Harjo -- poet, musician, and playwright of the Muscogee Nation and two time Poet Laureate of the United States.

Quan Barry -- author and playwright, an immigrant naturalized American Citizen.

Jasminne Mendez -- an Afro-Dominican, Writer, Poet, and Playwright.

Isabella LaBlanc -- an actor and poet of the Dakota Nation living in Minneapolis.

Paul Laurence Dunbar -- an African American novelist, short story writer, and poet.

Rudyard Kipling -- a white British poet and novelist and short story writer born in India.

Georgia Douglas Johnson -- of African American and Native American descent; a prolific writer of poetry and one of America’s first female playwrights, writing more than 28 plays.

Nayyirah Waheed -- a black poet and author.

Melisa Pereyra -- a poet, actress, theater director, and Argentinian Immigrant.

James Weldon Johnson -- an African American civil rights activist, writer, composer, politician, educator and lawyer.

Lisa Suhair Majal -- a Palestinian American poet and scholar.

Alexander Lawrence Posey -- a Creek Nation poet, journalist, and political satirist.

James DeVita -- a white American novelist, playwright, and actor.

Anne Spencer -- an African American poet, teacher, and civil rights activist.

Charles Eastman -- a Santee Dakota, French, American poet, physician, writer, and national lecturer.

Lachrisa Grandberry -- an African American poet, actress, and lyricist.

Kenneth Carroll -- an African American poet, fiction writer, essayist, and playwright.

And Yone Noguchi -- a Japanese writer of poetry, fiction, essays, and literary criticism.

RECIPROCITY
To be alive, is to be of the earth. The land has gifted us our breath, sustenance, culture and all beauty. In turn, we must care for her as she does us. We must give thanks for what we have received. To be alive, is to reciprocate with love.

If you enjoyed the poetry you heard on this trail, we encourage you to visit splitthisrock.org and meet the words of some contemporary poets featured on this list, as well as many others.

Please Note: Masks are required to be worn for all tours.

Option 1 – The Daylight Tour
The full tour involves about 2 miles of walking in the hilly terrain of APT. We’d describe the whole experience as a moderate hike with a few rest stops that will take most people between 100 and 120 minutes. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear, your mask and bring water.

Option 2 – The Starlight Tour
There’s nothing like the hope, inspiration and clarity that comes from a night shared under the stars. This version trades the full walk in the woods for some after-dark APT ambiance. You’ll walk the lighted paths to the Touchstone and Hill Theatre but forego the two hiking trails. You’ll still listen to the whole narrative, but can be seated for longer durations. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear, your mask and bring water.

Option 3 – Accessible Tour
We will provide a chauffeured golf-cart ride to various spots on the APT property where you will disembark to listen to the audio program while seated. For this option, you’ll need to be able to board the golf cart and feel comfortable sitting on unpadded benches or large rocks (like on the Touchstone Terrace) for 20-25 minutes at a time. This option is available on the hour and on the half hour. Please note: spots on the accessible tour are limited to two tickets per order. If you need additional tickets, or have trouble with your order, contact the box office at boxoffice@americanplayers.org or call 608-588-2361.

Option 4 – Drive Up
For those that aren’t able to board the golf cart, we have limited availability for you to drive up and listen to the entire program seated in the Hill Theatre. This option is available on the hour and on the half hour. Please contact the box office at boxoffice@americanplayers.org or call 608-588-2361 to arrange for this option.

Tours begin at the Gateway box office. You’ll check in there, and then head up to John’s Place in the picnic area to listen to the Prologue. From there, you’ll continue on to the next movements, set on the Oak Savanna Trail and the Walk on the Wild Side. You’ll track back to the path that leads to the Hill Theatre, feeling that familiar excitement as you make your way through the woods. For the final act of our story, you’ll relax in the amphitheater. The whole tour takes about 100 minutes and covers just under two miles. It’s a moderate hike. For accessible options, see "Tour Details & Accessibility Options" for more information. Afterwards, (or before) feel free to have a picnic on the grounds.

The Starlight Tour includes all the same content with the familiar ambiance of an evening at APT. Instead of hiking on the Oak Savanna Trail and the Walk on the Wild Side, you’ll settle in at designated spots to listen and gaze at the stars before heading up to the Hill Theatre for the finale.

• Upon arrival, each person will receive a personal audio device to listen to the narration and soundscape.
• Please bring your own headphones to use, or we will have some available for a nominal donation. Headphones should have a 3.5mm, cylindrical standard stereo audio cable.
• Please note the listening devices cannot be used with Bluetooth or speakers, so each person needs headphones.
• The listening devices are not compatible with earphones with lightning connections, such as the ones that come standard with newer model iPhones.

• The restrooms in the Gateway building by the parking lot will be open, but the Hill and Touchstone Theatre restrooms will be closed.
• We encourage you to bring water.
• Concessions and Gift Shops will not be open.
• You are welcome and encouraged to picnic before or after your tour. Tables will be available, but the grills will not.
• For dining and carry out options, lodging and other activities in the area, visit Dine, Shop, Explore.

Your safety, and the safety of our staff is very important to us. We require that all patrons and staff wear masks while at APT. Tours will begin every 15 minutes, and will be limited to 8 people per tour group. With this spacing, we don’t expect to have more than 60 guests on property at a time, spread out over dozens of acres. Because tour groups may contain people from different parties, we ask that patrons keep at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and anyone not in their party.

• Masks are required while on APT property.
• Please keep at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other patrons that are not in your party.
• Restrooms will be available in the Gateway building at the beginning and end of your tour, and they will be cleaned frequently throughout the day.
• Please note there will be no restroom facilities available in the lobby of the Touchstone or Hill Theatres.
• Do not come if you have a fever or any other Covid-19 symptoms. Please contact the Box Office at boxoffice@americanplayers.org, or call 608-588-9207 if you need to exchange or receive a ticket credit due to illness.
• Personal audio devices will be sanitized between each use.
• When you reach the Hill Theatre, house staff will direct you to socially distanced seating.
• Sanitizing wipes will be provided so you may wipe down your seat before use.

If it is raining, we can reschedule your tour. If it rains while you are at APT and it is safe to do so, you may continue the tour in light rain or listen to the program in one of the covered shelters rather than re-booking. If neither option is possible, we will offer a rainout refund.

Refunds are not available except in cases of illness. However, you may exchange your tickets until 11 am the day of your tour.

In case of rain, additional “rain make-up” tour times will be made available. If you are unable to attend because you are ill, please call the box office to re-book. If re-booking is not feasible, we will offer a refund.

Tickets are available online only. If you have questions or problems with your order, please email boxoffice@americanplayers.org or leave a message at 608-588-2361 and our staff will get back to you as soon as possible. Due to the pandemic, box office staff is limited but we are committed to serving you.