Director Billy Luther Teams Up with Raye Zaragoza to Turn 'Miss Navajo' into a Musical

Billy Luther, known for directing “Frybread Face and Me,” is converting his 2007 Sundance documentary “Miss Navajo” into a musical production currently in development. He has partnered with Indigenous singer-songwriter Raye Zaragoza, who will write and perform new material reflecting the resilience of Navajo women and broader cultural issues. The original film documented Crystal Frazier’s journey through the five-day Miss Navajo Nation competition, which tests contestants on language, traditional skills and cultural knowledge.

Luther’s personal connection includes his mother’s 1966 Miss Navajo crown, underscoring the generational significance of the event. Zaragoza, of Akimel O’otham descent, will draw from her catalog and fresh compositions to underscore themes of cultural strength, immigration and the environment. Both artists describe the musical as a celebration of Indigenous heritage that bridges traditional practices with modern storytelling.