Vera Starbard

Vera Starbard (born 1982) is an Alaska Native editor and playwright. She is a Tlingit/Denaʼaina woman born in Craig, Alaska, graduating from East Anchorage High School in Anchorage, Alaska. In 2016, she was named Playwright-in-Residence at Perseverance Theatre in Douglas, Alaska. Her residency was renewed for Cohort 3: 2019–2022. She has written several episodes of the Molly of Denali animated children’s program airing on PBS KIDS. She is the editor of the “First Alaskans” magazine. Vera is currently a staff writer for Alaska Daily.

Recognition

• ʼʼRasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award in 2009 and Alaska Literary Awardʼʼ
• ʼʼShe received a New York Stage And Film NEXUS grant in 2021ʼʼ

Plays

• Native Pride (and Prejudice)
• Fog Woman
• Our Voices Will Be Heard performed 2016; published 2017; radio adaptation broadcast 2018
• Devilfish (2019)
• A Tlingit Christmas Carol (2020)

Episodes

“Molly of Denali” aired on PBS Kids:

• ʼʼNew Nivagi, aired August 19, 2019ʼʼ
• ʼʼTurn on the Northern Lights, aired October 7, 2019ʼʼ
• ʼʼCanoe Journey, aired May 29, 2020ʼʼ
• ʼʼEagle Tale, aired December 9, 2020ʼʼ

“Alaska Daily” aired on ABC:

• “Most reckless thing I’ve ever done, aired March 30, 2023”