Native Earth Performing Arts

2-Spirit Cabaret
In Partnership with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
June 2027

2-Spirit Cabaret will return for its 11th edition – An annual celebration of the strength, beauty, and talent of 2-Spirit and Indigiqueer artists. The Cabaret features music, dance, drag, performance art, poetry, and comedy.

‘We’re also thrilled to keep up the tradition with our celebration of 2 Spirit and Indigiqueer kin, the 11th edition of the 2-Spirit Cabaret! Stay tuned for more information about this awesome one night only party. You can’t miss it. ‘ - Joelle Peters

GIIZIS Reads
May 2027

Back for its second year, GIIZIS Reads is a week of staged readings showcasing notable works by Indigenous playwrights across multiple decades. Join us as we bring our community together to laugh, reflect, share ideas, honour Indigenous artistic legacies, and celebrate plays that are rarely platformed.

‘GIIZIS Reads is an initiative we began last season to bring older plays written by Indigenous playwrights to life again in a present-day context. Giizis means sun in Anishinaabemowin, and is the name of our largest rehearsal studio inside our Minogitoon Workspace.’ - Joelle Peters

For more info, visit nativeearth.ca

Paprika Festival
Presented by the Paprika Festival, in partnership with Native Earth Performing Arts
May 2027

Native Earth Performing Arts is proud to be in its 11th year of partnership with the Paprika Festival.

Paprika Festival is a 26-year-old performing arts company that offers emerging artists and arts administrators access to paid opportunities, mentorships, and hands-on labs to develop their artistic practices and gain professional experience in production, creation, and arts management.

For more info, visit nativeearth.ca

Sorry For Your Loss
April 9-11, 2027
Created and Performed by Cian Parker


‘Here for a limited time is Cian Parker and her deeply poignant and relatable solo work, Sorry for Your Loss. Coming to us all the way from Aotearoa, Cian is an amazing storyteller with an unforgettable story. I laughed, I cried, and I can’t wait for you to do the same. Only at our Aki Studio for one weekend! ‘ - Joelle Peters


Cian Parker’s Sorry For Your Loss is a story about the strength of a woman; and the gift of strength from one woman to another. A raw and real performance, Sorry For Your Loss sees Parker open up to audiences and expose something she never thought she needed to revisit.

All performances will feature artistically integrated ASL Interpretation.

For more info and tickets, visit nativeearth.ca
Visual Art by Mariah Alexander

Haunted
March 9-28, 2027
CANADIAN PREMIERE

Written by Tara Moses
Directed by Tara Beagan
Featuring: Tara Sky, Nolan Moberly, Sydney Brown, Lily Cyr, Pierre Simpson


‘In 2027 we will present the Canadian Premiere of Haunted, a horror comedy written by Tara Moses and directed by the incredible Tara Beagan. With a script adapted specifically for Toronto, this satirical and hilarious play will haunt you in the best ways. And, because two Taras wasn’t enough, I’m delighted to share we’re adding a third with Tara Sky joining the cast. Full cast announcement to come, stay tuned. ‘ - Joelle Peters


An Indigenous horror-comedy with the coolest Y2K hits, Tara Moses’ Haunted forces us to confront the very land we walk on and our relationship (or lack thereof) with Indigenous communities today.

For more info and tickets, visit nativeearth.ca
Visual Art by Mariah Alexander
Photography by Jayson Gallop

Weesageechak Begins to Dance 39
Annual Performing Arts Festival for New Indigenous Works
Workshop Stream: October 12-25, 2026
Festival Presentations: November 19-29, 2026

‘Later this fall, you are not going to want to miss our 39th Weesageechak Begins to Dance Festival! From November 19-29th, six Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island (and overseas!) will share their works in development inside our very own Aki Studio. The Weesageechak Festival continues to be my most favourite festival in the city. It is the place to discover new Indigenous works and be invited into their special development process. Grab a festival pass and support the creation of contemporary Indigenous stories!’ - Joelle Peters


This year’s W39 Creators include: Dillan Meighan Chiblow, Waverley Stanley Jr, Shawn Cuthand, Joseph B’atz’ Recinos, Izzy Bull Bear, Erica Wilson, Curtis Kaltenbaugh, and Danielle LaRose

The festival will also include sharings from Gwaandak Theatre and Native Earth’s Animikiig Creators Unit (Shyanne Duquette, Iota’keratenion Thomas-Beaton, and Cameron Fraser-Monroe).

For more info, visit nativeearth.ca
Visual Art by Mariah Alexander

Ni Nagamoon
A Carousel Players Indigenous Cultural Sharing
September 26-27, 2026
Created & Facilitated by Nicole Joy-Fraser

‘We kick things off next month with a cultural workshop by Nicole Joy Fraser called ‘Ni Nagamoon’ (my song). Created in partnership with Carousel Players, we are excited to bring this workshop for young people to the heart of Regent Park.’- Joelle Peters

Ni Nagamoon is a First Nation cultural sharing created and performed by Niagara-based performing artist, Nicole Joy-Fraser. This intimate and interactive workshop is ideal for children ages 6-8.

These workshops have limited capacity, so make sure to register before they fill up!

For more info and registration, visit nativeearth.ca

Visual art by Sue Todd (Originally for Carousel Players Production)

Announcing Native Earth’s 44th Season 💛

Biindigen! Welcome! We are excited to share our 26/27 season with you: a curation of Indigenous works exploring themes of connection and belonging, hosted in at our very own Aki Studio and Minogitoon Workspace. Whether you’re a long time NEPA supporter or you’re joining us for the first time, we’re glad you’re here. — Joelle Peters

For more information and to read Joelle’s full statement, visit nativeearth.ca

Season Visual Art by Mariah Alexander

Casting Call for Upcoming Native Earth 2026-2027 Productions

WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 39
Seeking actors for presentation and workshop stream
Workshop Stream Dates: October 12 – 25, 2026
Presentation Rehearsals: November 2-18, 2026
Presentation Dates: November 19 – 29, 2026
Submissions Due: Sunday, August 30th at 11:59 PM EST

UPCOMING TBA PRODUCTION, Directed by Tara Beagan
Rehearsal Dates: February 8 – March 7, 2027
Production Run: March 9 – 28, 2027
SUBMISSIONS DUE: FRIDAY, August 21 AT 5:00 PM EST

For more details, please visit: https://nativeearth.ca/employment-opportunities