LOCAL PRODUCTION TO FEATURE LOOK AT INDIAN CULTURE.

Byline: Tere Marshall Daily News Staff Writer

Entertainment industry professionals have joined forces with Kiyomi Phillippe, founder of Running Deer Productions, to help with the premiere performances of ``Walks In Silence'' Saturday in the Valencia High School auditorium.

The shows will feature American Indian dancers, musicians and actors depicting the story of a young Indian boy who never talks yet has heroic courage that surfaces when his village is threatened by a frightening beast.

Storyteller Joshua Estrada, who has appeared in TV's ``JAG,'' ``Hearts of the West'' and ``Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,'' will be featured in the show. Estrada is chairman of the Native American Subcommittee of the Screen Actors Guild.

More than 500 tickets have been sold for Saturday's show, which will be staged at 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. in the Valencia High School auditorium, 27801 N. Dickason Drive. Tickets are $10, with an optional $5 for a craft project after the performance. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Indian Store at the Valencia Marketplace or at the door. For information, [phone].

The show is strictly a volunteer effort. Flutist Ray Ortega will perform, and sound effects specialist Dan Sales also is contributing his expertise.

``The great roar from the beast makes your skin crawl,'' Phillippe said. ``Dan read through the script and decided what sounds were needed where - like children laughing or wind blowing or thunder cracking. He comes to the rehearsals with his sound equipment. It brings the whole thing to life.''

Vincent Ross, a 14-year-old Apache who attends Valencia High School, created the artwork for the program book.

``Vincent is definitely a prodigy. He is an old soul in a child's body,'' Phillippe said. ``I've asked him to bring some prints of his work to sell at the show Saturday. He's been offered money for his originals, but his parents won't part with them - they took so much time to do.''

Dick Brownsfield, special effects coordinator for the series ``Star Trek: Voyager'' has volunteered to help with the visual effects of the show. With his expertise, fog, lightning and other surprises appear while the storyteller unwinds the story.

``People just keep coming to me,'' Phillippe said. ``They volunteer their talents, and the production keeps developing right before my eyes. The energy is so exciting. They all want to see something good happen for the Indian nation.''

Phillippe, owner of the Indian Store in Valencia, has a vision for a national nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of American Indians. To fund that cause, she has written, directed and produced a show that would educate the public about Indian culture. Money raised from the production will help children growing up on reservations.

``Scholarships and grants are available for these kids to go to college, but most of them don't even finish high school,'' Phillippe said. ``When we get a pool of money, we plan to go to each reservation individually and see what they need - computers, desks, books, tutors. Whatever we can afford, we will provide.''

The organization is looking for people to donate time or ideas to motivate Indian children to consider college. Volunteers also need donations of office space, educational materials, desks, computers, theatrical sets and costumes.

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PHOTO Joshua Estrada

Actor will appear in production