Cast of Characters
There are 11 primary roles in Sun Dance. The first is a male speaking role, who plays the role of Leonard Peltier and narrates the opera. The other ten are sung roles. In most cases, singers play generic, archetypal characters that remain consistent within scenes, but switch between scenes, as the time period changes. Occasionally, characters remain consistent through multiple scenes. All of the singing roles play Native American characters at some point, and several also play white characters. The ages listed are relative and most of the generic Native American characters can be any age.
Narrator (spoken): Leonard Peltier
Part 1 (Soprano): Native American and white roles (younger)
Part 2 (Soprano): Native American and white roles (older)
Part 3 (Mezzo-Soprano): Native American roles (older)
Part 4 (Mezzo-Soprano): Native American roles (unspecified age)
Part 5 (Tenor): Native American roles (younger)
Part 6 (Tenor): Native American and white roles (older)
Part 7 (Baritone): Native American and white roles (older)
Part 8 (Baritone): Native American roles (unspecified age)
Part 9 (Bass): Native American roles (unspecified age)
Part 10 (Bass): Native American and white roles (older)